ITC supports unique, life-changing project

Manurewa High School Deputy Principal Phil Muir with some local children from Cambodia

For several years, ITC has been sponsoring Manurewa High School’s Humanitarian Aid Leadership Programme (HALP) to Cambodia.

This year around 20 students embarked on a journey that saw them that return as “empowered, passionate, worldly young adults who have a greater desire to achieve and then give back to their community,” says Deputy Principal Phil Muir.

The students spent 12 days engaged in a range of projects and activities “that opened their eyes to the history and culture of a country that has been shattered by civil war, famine, genocide and poverty,” says Mr Muir.

The group worked with a number of aid projects including the World Vision Area Development Programme at Chi Kreng, and a NZAid funded agricultural programme that helps communities turn from subsistence farmers into productive croppers on land that was until recently covered with landmines.

Students also gave blood and donated to the Kantha Bopha children’s hospital in Siem Reap and the children’s hospital in Phnom Penh.

At Kantha Bopha, students heard from Nobel Peace laureate Dr Beat Richner. Student Kate Montgomery says, “Hearing about Dr. Beat Richner’s project of building and maintaining the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals was inspiring. It’s amazing how much one person’s vision can impact millions of people’s lives. This helped me to realise that I have the power to help people too.”

“The HALP programme also has a long term relationship with the Centre for Children’s Happiness – an orphanage which rescues children from the dumps of Phnom Penh,” says Mr Muir “and the students spent a full day playing, muralling, teaching and interacting, as well as giving a large range of donated gifts.”

The group also spent a day with 20 students sponsored by the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study as postgraduate students in New Zealand in areas such as development studies and tourism development. “The idea is that they will return to Cambodia and help to build a more successful country,” says Mr Muir. “We made some excellent links with this group, and look forward to developing these contacts – particularly when the students come to New Zealand next year.”

The students also visited the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. This visit had a real impact on the students, including Kate Montgomery, who says, “Throughout the entire time we visited the prison I felt numb and weak. None of what I saw looked real to me. It was so far removed from what I consider to be reality that I just couldn’t make sense of it.”

Kate says that the trip was genuinely life changing for her: “I saw, did, and experienced things that I hadn’t before. It really showed me the importance of so many things that we take for granted in this world. Things such as transport, roads, clean water, bathrooms, money, blood, education, and above all, people.”

“It truly did change my life and me as a person. I am not who I was before, and I am still not who I will be. But I can say that I am different. And I plan to use my experience to impact on others’ lives, and to make a difference in this world.”

Mr Muir says that the trip would have been beyond the reach of many of the students without ITC’s help: “The 2013 HALP team truly wishes to thank International Travel College for their generous contribution and support – your belief in our unique, life-changing project is very highly valued.  We travelled as fabulous ambassadors for our community and country and your support helped to make this project a reality.”

“The happiest place…”

Cara (left) working at Disneyworld in Florida after completing her course at ITC, with Natasha (right) ITC Campus Manager Botany

Natasha Allen, ITC Campus Manager Botany, recently returned from a trip to the happiest place in the world, where she caught up with ITC graduate Cara Adams.

Natasha says the excitement of the trip started before they had even left New Zealand at the Koru Lounge at Auckland’s International Airport where she, her husband and their two very excited children sampled the complimentary food (and Natasha and her husband the wine) before boarding their flight. (more…)

Introducing Kyleigh Mooney

Kyleigh Mooney, new ITC Recruiment Advisor. She joins ITC with a wealth of experience in the airline industry.

Kyleigh is our new Botany Campus Recruitment Advisor. She joins ITC with a vast experience of airline knowledge and flight attending experience tells us about her exciting career in travel and what she is looking forward to at ITC. (more…)

New Botany Campus Tutors

It is with great pleasure that we introduce the team of new tutors joining us at Botany Campus.

One of the key reasons ITC students go on to do us proud in their chosen area of work is because of our wonderful tutors. They bring real-world industry experience, knowledge and contacts, but more than that they take a personal interest in each and every student. If a student is prepared to work hard and show their passion and commitment for travel and tourism, our tutors will do all they can to help them realise their dreams. (more…)

Turkey 2013 – Trip of a lifetime

In April 2013 ITC Travel Tutor Steve Burke received a long service award of $10,000 to take a trip anywhere in the world. Here he tells us how he spent the holiday of his dreams. (more…)

ITC Offers Exciting Futures for Year 12 and 13 Students

ITC Account Manager Ceri Jenkins made a recent presentation to Kelston Girls’ Careers Academy. The event also included presentations from other tertiary partners of the academy and highlighted potential pathways for the students’ future training and employment.

2013 was the first year of ITC’s involvement with Kelston Girls’ Careers Academy. This exciting project enables students at years 12 and 13 to gain standalone travel and tourism qualifications at level 2 and 3. These can also be used towards their level 2 and 3 NCEA qualifications. These students then have clear pathways into tertiary courses at ITC if they choose to take them. (more…)

ITC offers diploma qualification to Botany students

ITC welcomes their first Diploma class to their Botany Campus.

The International Travel College (ITC) Diploma in Tourism and Travel Management will be offered at the ITC Botany Campus from 2014, allowing students to take their studies to the next level.

“This is the first time a diploma-level qualification has been available to our South Auckland students,” says ITC’s Marketing Director Claire Huxley. “Previously, students have travelled to our City Campus for this course.” (more…)

Auckland Airport and ITC Volunteer Work Experience Programme

One of the benefits of studying with ITC is the great industry connections we have. One of those connections is with Auckland Airport, and we have placed over 20 proactive students in volunteer roles as Domestic Terminal Airport Hosts. This is a fantastic stepping stone to a career in the aviation, travel and tourism industries. (more…)

ITC Announces Flight Attending Workshops

ITC’s one-day Flight Attending Recruitment Workshop will get you ready for an amazing career as a flight attendant.

Students who have taken part in this workshop have found it extremely beneficial and great value for money. “I learnt so much on this course, it really has made me re-asses when and how I apply to the airlines to be a flight attendant” said Matthew. “You don’t realise how much you need to know and be prepared for”.

All the content has been carefully compiled and prepared by several of the ITC tutorial team, of whom 9 have all worked for airlines as cabin crew or on their recruitment teams.

For only $99 you get:
• A full-day of training;
• Hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art Aviation Training Centre;
• Advice from a guest speaking flight attendant;
• A student notebook of work and information from the day; and
• A certificate of completion.
PLUS: The $99 is redeemable on one any one of ITC’s six-month courses!

You will leave this workshop with a better understanding of what the airlines are looking for and a career development plan for your dream job. This is your chance to be be fully prepared for any recruitment process and understand what the airlines are really looking for.

You can book on the course online click on this link http://itconlinetraining.com/course/flight-attending-recruitment-workshop/ or call us 0800 868747

With rolling intakes throughout the year we can’t wait to get you trained so you can get out there and live the dream.

Introducing Alison Rigby

New Short Course Tutor, Alison Rigby, tells us how the travel bug brought her to ITC.

Alison initially studied animation for three years. After completing that course in 2008, she moved to Vancouver where she worked at Grouse Mountain Ski resort.

“That was the start of my love for working within the tourism industry,” she says. “I spent the year working and travelling Canada and the United States. And I soon realised that the travel bug was well and truly alive in me!”

Alison moved to Melbourne, working in customer service jobs and extending her skill set while she saved to get to Europe.

In 2012 she moved to Amsterdam where she had a role as the new Meeting Point Manager for Sandemans New Europe Tours.

“In this position I was required to manage the tour guides’ schedules, the timing of the tours and banking. I was the face of the company and the first point of contact for tourists.

“No day was ever the same, and I had to be able to think on the spot and problem solve, as any experienced traveler knows not everything goes according to plan.

“I loved my time with this company and the amazing people I met along the way. In my spare time I was lucky to be able to do what I do best – travel!”

Alison had been travelling and living abroad for over 6 years when, in 2013, she decided to return to New Zealand and study to become a teacher. She completed the Trinity Certificate in TESOL and began teaching pre-intermediate level teens at Unique New Zealand on a short-term contract.

“I absolutely love teaching,” says Alison. “It’s an amazing feeling to connect with and help students reach their potential.”

When she saw the advertisement for a Short Course Tutor at ITC Alison says she knew this was the job for her.

“I am thrilled to be working here and able to share my experiences and passion for travel and tourism with the students.

“This role combines my two loves – travel and teaching – and I look forward to guiding students and opening their minds to the endless opportunities awaiting them in this wonderfully exciting industry.”