Five ways ITC teaches cultural awareness

A performance during Global Wednesday, a student event that teaches about cultural awareness.

To thrive in the tourism industry, it’s essential to cultivate a deep and genuine appreciation of different cultures. Cultural awareness is one of the best skills a tourism professional can possess — which is why ITC teaches it in several ways.

One ITC graduate — Madison Ryan — is now working in customer service for Explore. When asked to name a skill she learned at ITC that she uses every day in her career, she said cultural awareness. So did Gerrit Faalogo (who is in Aviation Security Service), Mikaela Rivers (who is working for a hotel), and Jasmine Tua (who is working for Menzies Aviation), as well as many more ITC graduates.

Jasmine Tua says studying at ITC helped her “gain confidence when speaking to new people travelling from the other side of the world”.

So how does ITC foster a sense of cultural awareness in its students? Here are five innovative ways ITC teaches cultural awareness to tourism students.

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ITC students visit tourism businesses in Christchurch

ITC’s Chch students recently visited two hotels and a Flight Centre to learn more about working in the local tourism industry.

Students from ITC’s Christchurch Campus recently visited local tourism businesses to see firsthand what it’s like to work in the industry.

They visited Flight Centre, Breakfree Hotel and Crowne Plaza in one epic, eye-opening day.

ITC Level 3 student Ja Kharkrang was really impressed with how much she learned on the site visits.

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Practice makes perfect: ITC graduate aces job interview

ITC graduate Tuita Tokareta wowed the General Manager of 360 Discovery Cruises when she went for a job interview. It goes without saying that she was offered the position!

“Would you like to come in for an interview?” This is the question every job hunter wants to hear. So why does it make so many people break out in a nervous sweat?

Going for a job interview doesn’t have to be terrifying. At the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC), students are given plenty of CV and job preparation support, helping to ensure they are ready to impress when they walk into the interview room.

And impress is definitely what ITC graduate Tuita Tokareta did when she went for an interview with 360 Discovery Cruises.

“She was the best prepared person I have interviewed in a long time,” said 360 Discovery General Manager James Bailey.

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ITC short course leads to work experience for students

Explore New Zealand recently offered a group of ITC short course students the opportunity to do some work experience

When secondary school students attend a short course at the International Travel College (ITC), they walk away with more than credits.

In many cases, students leave with a work experience opportunity, or even a job offer!

On a recent Tourism Short Course, ITC arranged for the students to participate on several industry visits, including sessions at the Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari, Auckland Adventure Jet and Explore New Zealand.

This approach connects students directly with the industry, allowing them to see for themselves what it is like to work in tourism.

It also provides students with the opportunity to make a good first impression with some of Auckland’s top tourism employers. (more…)

ITC customer service superstars help at International Student Welcome

Students from the International Travel College working at the International Student Welcome Event held at the Cloud yesterday (Thursday 12 March)

On Thursday 12 March hundreds of international students were welcomed to Auckland at a special event held at The Cloud.

Organised by ATEED, the International Student Welcome is hosted annually and an excellent way to introduce new students to Auckland. (more…)

Another ITC work experience success story!

ITC students Tala and Lita have both secured permanent roles at Base Backpackers thanks to the College’s work experience programme

Two more students from the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) have landed exciting new roles in the tourism industry.

Lita Lamipeti and Tala Time have both been offered permanent roles at Base Backpackers in Auckland after successfully completing work experience at the Queen Street branch.

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Thank you Disney World!

Cara Adams has been living and working at Disney World since graduating from ITC. Here she is pictured in her costume for the ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ playground.

ITC graduate Cara Adams has been living and working at Disney World for the past year. What a journey it has been! She shares some of her favourite memories as she prepares to fly back home to New Zealand.

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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…)