From Denny’s to Disney: Meet the ITC graduate chasing her Disney dreams

ITC graduate Sharon Beardsmore exploring Alaska with her travel kiwi. Sharon is now living and working at Disney World.

Just a few months ago, Sharon Beardsmore was working as a waitress at Denny’s while she saved for the trip of a lifetime.

Now, Sharon is living and working at Disney World in Orlando, Florida – a childhood dream come true.

We caught up with Sharon just before she left to Disney to learn about her studies at ITC, her passion for travel, and what the future has in store.

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ITC sees off Disney students with special morning tea

Disney World here they come! These excited ITC students will start their Disney Cultural Exchange Program next month. ITC put on a special morning tea today to celebrate their upcoming trip.

Last month, ITC received the exciting news that 14 talented graduates have been accepted to participate in the Disney Cultural Exchange Program.

The graduates are heading to Disney World in August to live and work at the amazing Disney Resort, where they’ll gain valuable work experience and meet other exchange participants from around the world.

Today, the College put on a special Disney Morning Tea to celebrate.

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How to achieve your dreams – according to ITC graduate Charlotte Roberts-Swain

An inspiration to her peers, ITC graduate Charlotte Roberts-Swain loves travelling and working in tourism.

Charlotte Roberts-Swain knows a thing or two about turning dreams into reality. Since graduating from ITC in December 2014, she’s worked on superyachts and at Disney World – and this is just the beginning of her exciting tourism career.

She’s currently travelling in Indonesia, but she generously took some time to write to us about her experience so far. Below she shares some advice for people looking to follow in her footsteps.

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Introducing Aruna Crichton and Susanne Snow

The lovely Aruna (on her birthday) and Susanne, our two fantastic student services advisors based at the ITC City Campus.

Aruna and Susanne recently joined the ITC City Campus team as Student Services Advisors. They are the lovely smiling faces you’ll see at the reception desk or the bright voices you’ll hear on the phone. Both ITC graduates, they are perfectly placed to help current students. Learn more about their experience and travel dreams below.

Aruna

I have always been interested in travel and tourism and wanted to work in this exciting industry. I completed a short course with ITC while in high school and enjoyed it so much I decided to enrol in 2012!

I chose to study at ITC because it’s a friendly environment and I felt so welcome from the day I first stepped into the building. I enrolled on both the Level 3 and Level 4 courses and graduated from both. This was a really good experience for me as I got to learn new things about the industry and see places I’ve never been to. I enjoyed going on work experience with SkyJump as I got to see what it’s like to work as one of the frontline staff dealing with a lot of international tourists. I also had the opportunity to experience one of New Zealand’s major tourist destinations – Rotorua. This was a huge highlight for me.

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ITC graduate gets her ‘Disney Ears’

Taryn Brown, a former ITC student, recently graduated from the Disney World Cultural Exchange Program.

Exactly 8 months ago to the day, ITC graduate Taryn Brown received the good news that she was off to Disney World for the work experience trip of a lifetime.

Participating in the Disney Cultural Exchange Program has been a goal of Taryn’s since she started studying tourism at ITC. After much hard work and determination, in August she found herself on a plane to Orlando – her dream was coming true.

Now, many new friends and amazing memories later, Taryn has graduated from the program and received her ‘Disney Ears’.

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‘I’m over the moon’: ITC graduate secures dream job

Tony Moses is ‘over the moon’ about the education he received from ITC. Tony studied the Level 3 Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Aviation and recently started a new job with Menzies Aviation.

A graduate from the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has landed a great job with Menzies Aviation at Auckland Airport – and he believes this is largely thanks to the support and encouragement of his tutors.

“I’m over the moon with how much time and support the tutors gave me and my classmates,” says Tony Moses, who recently completed the Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Aviation at ITC’s South Auckland Campus.

“They give so much of their own time and advice, and help students with whatever career direction they want to go in. I’m honoured to be known as an ITC graduate,” he added.

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ITC students enjoy confidence boost with X Factor fun

Every year the ITC Botany Campus holds an X Factor style competition. This is a great way for students to practice their teamwork skills and overcome stage fright.

“The tourism industry is all about people.” This is something ITC students hear multiple times from their tutors throughout their studies. ITC places a huge emphasis on customer service skills, as there’s nothing more important in the tourism industry than being able to work with a variety of different people – all while maintaining a bright smile and friendly attitude.

For some people, great customer service comes naturally, but for others – especially those who are shy – it can be hard to talk easily to strangers. The ITC tutors do their best to give shy students a confidence boost, through effective training and support.

However, sometimes the best confidence boosts come through trying something a little bit different!

Every year the ITC Botany Campus holds an ‘X Factor’ style competition. This student event is designed to be a bit of fun, but it has the added bonus of helping people overcome their stage fright and learn how to speak with confidence in front of crowds – a skill that is invaluable out in the industry.

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ITC Industry Expo brings students face-to-face with top tourism businesses

ITC students Faustina Tevaga (far left) and Patricia Tosoga (far right) with Emma Holly and Chrissie Urlich from Air New Zealand.

Students at the International Travel College (ITC) recently had the amazing opportunity to meet representatives from some of New Zealand’s leading tourism businesses.

The annual ITC Industry Expo was held on August 27 and attended by Air New Zealand, Auckland Bridge Climb and Bungy, AVSEC, Nomads Backpackers, Maritime Museum, Intercity and ATEED. Representatives from each of these successful companies took time out of their busy schedules to share their experiences with ITC students, creating a unique chance for the students to learn directly from the very best in the industry.

Event organiser and ITC Account Manager Ceri Jenkins said this day arms students with the information they need to have a successful career in airline, travel or tourism, including CV tips, interview advice and more.

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ITC leads the way in aviation training

ITC Graduate Jamee Miles is leading an exciting and rewarding career with Menzies Aviation

The International Travel College of New Zealand is a leading provider of qualifications for the exciting aviation industry. Many of the ITC tutors come from aviation backgrounds and bring their passion and enthusiasm for the industry to the classroom. The result? Our graduates finish their studies feeling just as passionate about this wonderful career choice. So passionate, in fact, that one of them decided to share her story. Here is how ITC helped Jamee Miles follow her aviation dreams.

When I signed up for a Certificate in Aviation through the International Travel College I was unsure of what to expect. I just knew where I wanted to be and that this was the first step in the right direction.

Like many others in my class, I wanted to work at Auckland International Airport. There was something about the glamorous and busy environment that had my full attention. My passion, the layout of the course and the fantastic tutors made studying extremely fun.

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2015 Graduation: ITC’s biggest yet!

Some of our beautiful graduates at the 2015 Graduation Ceremony. The theme for this year was ‘Midwinter Christmas’

On Saturday 27^th of June ITC welcomed hundreds of students and their families to the official 2015 Graduation Ceremony at The Langham, Auckland. Held in the hotel’s stylish Great Room, the largest pillarless ballroom in New Zealand, the night was a wonderful celebration of student success.  With a total of 700 guests, it was also ITC’s biggest graduation to-date!

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