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…)

ITC Finalist in Two Westpac Business Awards

ITC has finalist and winners in 16 awards in the past 18 years!

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2014 – South. The college is a finalist in two categories: Excellence in Customer Service Delivery and Excellence in Strategy and Planning. (more…)

Another ITC Event a Winner

ITC Students, who wrote the blog and had fun at the ITC Bowling event

A Russian, an Englishman, a Singaporean and a Filipino walk into a bowling hall…  it’s another ITC bowling day out!

Dan Sayer, the Englishman of the team mentioned above, says that the idea of these events “is to get the whole of International Travel College out as one, and it works.” (more…)

ITC Graduation 2014

ITC students celebrating their success at their Graduation at The Langham Hotel in Auckland on Friday 13th June.

Friday the 13th was not unlucky for the latest batch of ITC graduates; in fact, it was the perfect night to celebrate our graduates’ success as they embark on the next chapter in their lives.

One of the most important aspects of study at ITC is the focus on industry-relevant training, and we are grateful, as always, to the members of the travel and tourism industry who contribute so much to our graduation celebrations. (more…)

2015 Scholarships now open!!

The International Travel College of New Zealand’s (ITC) 2015 scholarship applications are now open to those who want to study for the airport, airline, travel or tourism industries.

This is the third year that ITC has run the application process by asking students to create a video or a blog to be posted online. The entry needs to show the student’s passion and enthusiasm for the travel and tourism industries and commitment to learning. (more…)

ITC Students shine at TRENZ 2014

ITC’s students have once again proven themselves at the Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand 2014 (TRENZ) event.

The students volunteered through the TRENZ Student Ambassador Programme. They provided support and assistance at the event, which saw approximately 1100 TRENZ delegates, international visitors and event sponsors come together at the Queens Wharf complex on Auckland’s Waterfront. (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…)

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’s Amazing Race 2014

ITC’s first student event of 2014 was The Amazing Race.

This is a fun-filled day where students from ITC’s City and Botany Campuses race around Auckland performing crazy in full costume, with their eye on the prize! ITC have been running this event for over 6 years now, with ITC making sure that the students test their tourism knowledge of Auckland.

Challenges and quizzes meant that all the teams really had to try very hard. From belting out ballads at Vector Arena to team members spelling out ITC with their bodies in Aotea Square, it was a day not to be missed!

As always we had great support from our industry contacts, both during the race and  with some amazing donated prizes, including Explore NZ Americas Cup Sailing Experience, Stray Jack Passes to the Bay of Islands, Auckland Adventure Jet Rides, accommodation at Nomads Backpackers and free pizza and drinks at Globe Bar.

First and second place went to our City Campus teams with a FANTASTIC time of 1hr 30mins and 1hr 35mins respectively, and third place went to a Botany Campus team with a time of 1hr 45mins. There were also prizes for the best-dressed teams and sportsmanship on the day.

With the sun out and a beautiful end point at the Auckland Domain, the day provided a wonderful chance to get out and about with our ITC family.

Thanks to everyone who particpated!