5 reasons why you should choose a career in tourism and travel

These students are already investing in their future travel and tourism careers on our Academy.

Amongst the team at ITC, we have more than 250 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. And all we can say is: we love it, and we think you will too!

There are many, many reasons why we think you should choose a career in travel and tourism, but here are just five of the best.

1. Tourism is one of New Zealand’s biggest employers

If you’re ever unsure about your job security, keep in mind that tourism is one of the biggest employers in the country.

Recent figures show that tourism either directly or indirectly supported 317,514 jobs in early 2023. That’s a little over 11% of the entire job market in Aotearoa!

Having an industry-recognised qualification such as those offered by ITC and Study From Home is a huge selling point for anyone looking to work in this industry, and there’s no shortage of jobs out there.

2. Exciting workplaces

Have you ever visited a tourist attraction or taken a tour and thought the people working there have the best jobs ever?

Whether it’s a bungee operator, a tour guide, or a flight attendant, there are so many incredible jobs available in travel and tourism.

Just take a look at some of our student success stories to see what kind of jobs our recent graduates have been doing!

3. A fast growing industry

Tourism is growing incredibly quickly, picking up steam again after the slow down over the pandemic. In fact, it’s one of the fastest growing industries on the planet, along with financial services and information & communication.

For those entering the workforce right now, that means your career could grow right along with the industry itself.

4. See the world

 Kiwis are known for their love of travel, with many of us heading away on OEs and exchanges in order to see more of the world.

Working in travel and tourism can be a fantastic way to explore more of the world. Here are just five of our recent graduates who are all overseas right now on incredible international exchanges following their studies.

Who knows where they might go next – and you could follow them!

5. Because you can get started right now!

Can’t wait to get started on an exciting career? ITC is enrolling right now, and you can either join a class that has just recently started (it’s not too late!), or begin next week on March 11 for the next New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism and Travel Level 3 (limited spots available).

Alternatively, you can sign up and get started any time you like with our Study From Home option, which lets you study from the comfort of your own home anywhere in New Zealand!

Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out how you can get started in this exciting industry.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Study From Home survey shows what students really think of us!

Our latest survey shows just how much students love Study From Home!

As an online study platform, it’s incredibly important for us to touch base with students and graduate to get feedback on our courses, tutors, support system, online learning platform, and everything in between.

Since we’re not interacting in a classroom every day, we therefore take regular surveys to garner feedback and see what students think of us.

Here are some of the questions we asked, and some of the responses we got!

Why did you choose Study From Home?

“Because I like to do it in my own time and I can learner faster alone.”

“Because I still wanted to work full time and there also wasn’t a base in Christchurch.”

“I’ve read good things about the courses and from other people and it sounded like the best fit for me.”

“With two kids it worked well for me to manage stuff around and the support from study from home tutors had worked really good for me.”

What do you like about remote learning?

“It’s easier for me to study an learn alone cause I’m easily distracted when with other people. I can do things in my own time.”

“I liked it because it’s very flexible. For me it worked well because it still allowed me to work full time and then study in spare time that suited me.”

“Being able to work in my own time.”

“Because I work full time it allows me to do it after work and in my spare time.”

“Being able to study and take care of my son.”

“I’m able to study at my time and pace.”

Do you have any comments about Study From Home overall?

“The ITC team are amazing and very helpful.”

“I love study at home as a result I encourage all my friends to enrol now.”

“I’ve always had a good experience. This is my second year studying and everyone is always happy to help and is always quick with replying when you’re struggling with anything.”

“The amount that my tutors cared about my learning and how much they reminded me to communicate with them whenever I needed to helped me gain the motivation to try push through.”

Enrol today to study online at your own pace

At Study From Home, we work hard to provide top-quality qualifications and exceptional support for our students – all while they can study at home and at their own pace.

When you enrol, you become part of the family. So whether you’re a parent studying while raising kids, a full-time worker studying during nights and weekends, or someone who lives too far from campus to make the commute, you’ll have our full support throughout your qualifications and beyond.

Do a free trial online today to see what it would be like to work your way through the courses, or get in touch to find out more about what we offer and where our qualifications might take you.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Did you know you could be studying within a WEEK with Study From Home?

Our courses are so flexible, you could be starting your qualification within a week!

With most colleges (and even with ITC!), start dates and graduation dates are all determined by a pre-set schedule. That means turning up on time and making sure your schedule fits around class times.

With Study From Home, it’s the complete opposite.

The incredible flexibility you get when studying from home

Study From Home offers the same qualifications as ITC, but gives you all the flexibility for when to start and when to study.

For example, if you get in touch today and enrol, you could be starting your qualification – and potentially taking the first step towards an amazing career in travel and tourism – all within the next week!

Not to mention, studying from home means that you don’t have to rearrange other aspects of your life, such as work or family. Instead, you can study in the evenings, over weekends, or whenever you have the time.

For example, Study From Home graduate Ruby Roche worked full time throughout her studies, and is now flying high in her dream job as a flight attendant with Air New Zealand.

Of course, you’ll still need to find the time for regular study, but it won’t need to be on our schedule!

Working in the industry by summer

Our New Zealand Certificate in Tourism and New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation are both level 3 courses, and both take just 20 weeks to complete (studying 30 hours per week).

That means if you enrol now and get started within a week, you’ll be able to earn an industry-recognised qualification and learn the basics of travel and tourism – all before Christmas.

As the busy summer season gets underway, you could be graduating from Study From Home, and one of our Employment Consultants could be working with you to help you find a job in the industry.

Just take a look at how many listings there are for jobs in travel and tourism on the GoWithTourism website. There are usually also plenty more that come available in early summer as the busy season kicks off.

Overall, that means plenty of opportunities for you to find fun, fulfilling work when you graduate.

Could your life look completely different in just 6 months?

For more information about how you could transform your life this week, book a free info session. You can do this over the phone or in person – whatever you prefer. This session is designed to answer your questions and give you all the information you need to get started.

You can even do a free trial to see exactly what it would be like studying from home and using our online portal to earn your qualification.

Or if you already know Study From Home is the right choice for you, you can easily enrol online here.

For any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Apply now for your chance to win an ITC Scholarship!

Apply for a 2023 Scholarship

ITC and Study From Home have just opened up applications for some amazing scholarship opportunities!

As the New Zealand tourism industry has got back into the swing of things, businesses are seeking new and qualified staff such as graduates from ITC and Study From Home.

“New Zealand continues to be one of the world’s top tourism destinations, and with the borders open, international visitors are returning. We need to support our sector to rebuild a more resilient future that leaves people, communities and the environment better off than before,” Peeni Henare said.

We are doing our bit to support our industry, ITC is helping people with a passion for joining the Travel & Tourism industry gain first-class skills and knowledge. We want to help even more by giving away multiple scholarships for full-time students, which are worth up to $5,600 per student. Not only that, it’s also on top of the Fees Free program, so you could have the first part of your study covered by Fees Free, and the second part partially paid for by a scholarship!

Here’s a little more about what an ITC Scholarship entails, who is eligible and how to apply.

What does the ITC Scholarship entail?

The ITC Scholarship will pay for up to $5,600 of your course fees if you win. It all depends on the courses you apply for, as the scholarship is for the value of 50% of one full course when you enrol in two or more courses at ITC.

The Scholarship is applicable for full-time study only, but it can be with either ITC or Study From Home. And importantly, it is awarded upon successful completion of the final course.

For ITC, the Scholarship is a way to support young learners into the industry we care about so much. Travel and tourism has rarely been in such dire need of new talent, and we know that right now, our graduates are walking straight into positions in the industry thanks to the qualifications they earn with us.

Who is eligible to apply?

We are looking for people passionate about joining the Travel, Tourism & Aviation industries who would love the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge to become future leaders.

If you enrol for full-time study with ITC or Study From Home right now, and are either a New Zealand citizen or have been a Permanent Resident for at least three years, you are probably eligible to apply for the Scholarship.

For further eligibility criteria, read our full terms and conditions.

However, if you were already enrolled prior to June 30 this year, you are unfortunately not eligible to apply at this time.

Please carefully read through our full terms and conditions to learn more about application eligibility, and other terms that come with being awarded this scholarship.

How do I apply for the ITC Scholarship?

To apply, simply fill out the ITC Scholarship application form here.

Be sure to fill out this form before August 26 2023, and if you are successful in getting to the second stage, we’ll let you know no later than Monday August 28. The second stage involves an information session and a chat with the team to discuss your study options.

If you have any questions at all about the scholarship or ITC courses, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

Campus Study – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/ 

Our top advice for parents and caregivers of remote learners

Do you have a remote learner at home? Here’s how you can support them.

Is someone in your family earning a qualification with Study From Home? Or even studying any course or completing schoolwork from home?

Even though the student will be doing the work, there’s a lot of responsibility in being their parent or caregiver, too. It’s up to you to support them and ensure they have the space to complete their studies.

Here are our top tips for anyone looking after or living with a remote learner.

Create a space for their studies

If you have ever worked from home, or simply tried to manage paperwork from the dining table, you’ll know the importance of having a quiet, tidy space to concentrate.

It’s no different for remote learners. Create a space in the home where they can focus in peace and quiet.

For example, if they share a room with a sibling, perhaps you can set them up in your bedroom so they can study in a private area.

Or, if there isn’t anywhere private for them in the home, ensure other family members respect the student’s study time with quiet activities in the background.

Don’t distract them

Many people who study or work from home have to contend with distractions. It’s one thing to ignore a TV making noise in the background, but it’s impossible to ignore a family member asking questions, making demands, or asking if they want to go out and do something.

It can also be easy to see someone sitting on their laptop and assume they aren’t busy, but it’s important to remember that they are likely working or studying.

Therefore, act as if their space is actually an office space and they are busy at work. Only disturb them with emergencies, and save any news, questions, or tasks until later.

Help them in other areas

You might not be able to help them work their way through activities or remember new information, but you can help them in other areas of their life.

For example, making a healthy, nutritious dinner might ensure they don’t resort to fast food if they’re too busy studying to cook something. Doing their laundry with your own can give them more time to focus on their learning and not have to worry about chores.

By taking on some of their tasks, you can help to free up their time and mental load so they can better focus on their learning.

Be interested  

Showing your interest in their studies can be a great way to show your support. It will ensure they know you’re following their journey and rooting for them to succeed.

Not to mention, it can help them to remember the material if they talk about what they’re learning to someone else.

Supporting our remote learners

 At Study From Home, we don’t just leave it up to friends and family to support our learners – we also offer plenty of support through the Study From Home programme as well.

Our team of dedicated tutors are available by email and phone, and students can also make face-to-face appointments as well. This means that students can ask questions and chat any time they need to.

These support systems – both online and at home – can help ensure our students not only complete their qualifications, but enjoy their time with us, and go on to land exciting industry roles.

If you or someone you know is looking for a fantastic distance learning programme, take a look at the course options with Study From Home, or get in touch with any questions.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Do I have to be a teenager to study?

You don’t have to be a teenager to study with us!

One of the most common questions we receive here at Study From Home is, ‘am I too old to study?’.

At ITC, many of our students tend to come straight from high school. But with Study From Home, we love seeing many students enrol later in life, often after taking a break from work to take care of family, or for a career change.

So the answer is, no, you don’t have to be a teenager. You can study with us at any age! In fact, having a few more years can even be a bonus when it’s time to start job hunting.

Many companies like to hire older people who have some life experience, especially for travel and tourism. This is an industry where you’ll be dealing with people all the time, problem solving, and learning to go with the flow – all things you’ll likely have some experience with after some time in the ‘real world’!

To prove our point, we spoke to one of our recent graduates, Deborah Pritchard. Deborah is 60 years young, and excited to start her career in travel and tourism!

Here’s her story.

Meet adult learner Deborah Pritchard

“I have worked in Hospitality and Retail Management for 20 years, and I have enjoyed working in a team environment and with customers. I have always had a desire to travel the world, to experience and learn about different cultures, history, architecture, and scenery.

I finally got the chance to start my travel journey back in 2016 and have had the opportunity to visit a few countries now, and have so much more I want to still see.

This is where I decided I wanted to help others experience the wonders of the world like I have been able to. I was lucky enough to have a travel agent who was amazing, she was supportive, and was there to answer any questions I had. As it was my very first trip alone, I didn’t know anything, or where to even start planning. She explained everything in detail, shared her own experiences and gave me advice which made me feel at ease and gave me a lot more confidence to do this.

I want to be that person to put customers at ease, to help plan amazing holidays, make them stress-free and be a support system so they don’t feel alone, and share my knowledge and experience.

I decided to research the best way to get qualifications in Travel and Tourism. Studying from home seemed my best option at the time for me as I had other family commitments where I was needed.

I came across ITC The International Travel College of New Zealand, found what I was looking for and the excitement for this journey was so high. So I signed up for Certificate 4 in Travel and couldn’t wait to start!

My highlights from studying were how much I learnt from the subjects, how easy it was to follow each unit, it was step by step and the support system from tutors was amazing. So quick to respond and so helpful.

Now I have completed my course, my next step is to find my dream job: to join a company as a travel agent/consultant. I want to be able to help people make amazing memories of their lives.

My advice to others about studying at home would be “just do it”, you won’t regret it. It has been the best decision and experience I have had.

From my experience, a couple of tips for online learners would be:

• Make sure you have a little study space with no distractions.
• Make sure you take breaks, even if it’s only 10 mins every 2-3hrs helps so much.
• Make a plan of what your study hours are going to be during the day, and try to stick to it.
• Also, remember you can achieve anything you put your mind to!

I am 60 years young and I haven’t let anything get in the way of my dreams and goals. I am so excited to get out in the workforce in my dream job and to keep travelling the world!!”

It’s never too late to follow your dreams

You don’t have to be a teenager to enrol with Study From Home. You can enrol from anywhere in New Zealand and start studying at any time, and if you’re not sure if online learning is for you, you can do a free trial to get a feel for what it would be like earning a qualification with us.

Whether you’re young or just young at heart, we’d love to hear from you and welcome you to our travel and tourism family. Get in touch with any questions at all, so we can get you started on an exciting career in the industry!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

ITC connecting graduates to the exciting cruise ship industry

ITC students working with the cruise ship industry.

This summer season in New Zealand has been the most exciting for the travel and tourism industry in the country in years. For a group of ITC students and graduates, it has been an extra special time thanks to ITC and the cruise ship industry.

That’s because we recently set up a number of students with a fantastic opportunity to gain work experience in the industry.

Read on to learn more about how it happened (and how you could get valuable work experience when you study with ITC, too).

 How is ITC helping graduates work in the cruise industry?

Our Employment Consultant Sarndra worked with Akorn Destination Management in Australia to offer our fabulous new ITC students an opportunity to be part of their Auckland cruise turnaround team for the 2022 /2023 summer season.

Akorn enjoyed an amazing 2019 /2020 summer season of cruising, and the ITC students and graduates who worked on those turnarounds loved the first-hand industry experiences. Our students and graduates also found it to be a huge bonus to have on their CVs when they finished their studies and started applying for jobs.

As soon as Sarndra heard Akorn was doing another cruise season she was eager to give current ITC students those same opportunities.

What is a cruise ship turnaround?

A cruise ship turnaround is the interval between cruises. The ship docks, all passengers disembark, the ship is readied for the next cruise, new passengers board and the ship sails.

This is what our students got up to:

• Meet and greet passengers in a wide variety of roles.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Process passengers during check in.
• Validate passports and documents.
• Use multi cruise brand check-in systems.
• Support, guide and assist passengers and special needs guests.
• Luggage assistance.
• Ensure compliance with safety and security requirements.
• Adhere to Akorn Staff Policies and procedures.
• Adhere to various Cruise Lines Policy & Procedures.

The cruise ships were the Norwegian Spirit, Seven Seas Explorer, Celebrity Eclipse, and the Oceania Regatta.

How were graduates chosen for the job?

 Akorn was looking for graduates who were motivated, resilient and respectful. They also wanted students to be quite focused on providing great customer service, and have a real ‘can-do’ attitude. Of course, they had to also hold an ITC travel and tourism qualification, and be reliable and on time.

Here are the full criteria for the job.

• Ability to work flexible hours – weekend, public holidays, and on occasion, evenings during the cruise season
• Be a team player
• Have initiative and excellent communication skills
• Be highly customer focused, helpful and with excellent personal manners
• Prior experience in tourism and/or customer service is highly valued
• Good level of English
• Basic computer skills recommended (training on cruise-line systems provided)

We sent them eight outstanding ITC students who took part in this incredible opportunity; Vironique, Ben, Vianca, Eseta, Ghazal, Serafina, Mele, and Tamzin.

We recently reached out to the students to find out about their experience.

What did everyone have to say about the experience?

“Cruise turnarounds are such a fun day! Early starts! We have to be at the wharf for when the ship arrives, which is usually 7am. Disembarkation is usually about 3 hours as guests come off the ship in staggered groups. Because they were usually arriving into NZ they pass through customs, collect their luggage and then go through MAF – just like the airport but on a wharf!! There would be a team of us in the luggage hall helping passengers to locate their luggage. That’s where I started and by my last shift I was managing the hall.”

“Guests then depart the wharf and go in all different directions, which is where we were mostly involved; guiding the passengers on to taxis, coaches to the airport or hotels, or off on tours. There is an incredible amount of organisation that goes on over the period of just one day. Once all the passengers have left the ship, it’s time to ‘turn around’ and check in the passengers who start their cruise journey from Auckland. This is probably the most exciting part of the day because you meet so many lovely people who are so excited about their cruise. I met a mother and daughter who were close to having been on 100 cruises!! They had cruised every continent except Antarctica, which they had booked to be number 100!”

“The coolest thing was if you were checking a passenger in and a little note came up saying ‘see message’ and when you tapped in to that, it said the passenger had been upgraded! Giving that news was like making all their dreams come true!”

“The downside of these great fun days (which go so fast!) is that the ship departs at 6pm, and we aren’t on it. You spend all day wishing you were going with the passengers (I guess that’s the same as working at the airport!) but it was quite sad when the passengers said, ‘see you onboard!’ and instead we were heading home…”

What did Akorn have to say about working with ITC students and graduates?

Head of Cruise for Akorn Australian and NZ, Anthony Brent had this to say about our ITC students:

“The students/staff I must say have been amazing – I have personally received a lot of great comments from our cruise ship staff and head office executives. Once this season is finished I will be heading back over to Auckland and I would love to set up a meeting to discuss next season and to assist in any way with presentations and talks for your students”

This is one of many ways ITC builds industry relationships and student opportunities. ITC students are sought after when our industry is looking to employ more staff. We continue to strive in offering the best experience so our students stand out from the other candidates, which has significantly contributed to the continuous success of our graduates.

If you’re interested in studying with a provider that ensures you get hands-on learning opportunities so that you’re ready to work in the industry, contact us to find out about our industry-recognised qualifications today.

Campus Study – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

7 ways to snap out of procrastination

Do you find yourself procrastinating when you should be studying? Here’s how to snap out of it!

Whether it’s study for school, work, tidying up the house, or even getting out of bed, we’re all guilty of procrastination from time to time.

We put off doing tasks even when we know we need to get started, or when we know that we will suffer later.

Procrastination is certainly normal and human, but when you’ve got coursework to do, you need to find ways to snap out of it so you can graduate with a qualification in travel and tourism.

Here are seven of the best ways to get back on track!

1. Do something that takes less than five minutes

 Take a look at your to-do list and pick something that only takes a few minutes.

It might be replying to an email, doing a quiz, or even simply making your bed.

Whatever it is, it can help you get into the groove of accomplishing tasks and getting things done. This can be a great way to start your day so you tick off a few quick and easy things before getting started on a bigger project.

2. Play a song that hypes you up

Is there a song that wakes you up, makes you feel energised, and gets you tapping your feet every time you play it?

Load it up and get it playing as you set up whatever work you need to get done. Enjoy the music and let it pick up your mood and energy levels, then as it ends, dive into your coursework.

3. Break down the task into doable pieces

Sometimes we procrastinate because the task at hand just feels too big, difficult, and scary. In these cases, it can help massively to break it down into smaller pieces that aren’t so scary.

For example, let’s say you have to write an essay. Essays can be tough and it’s always hard getting started when you’re staring at a blank page.

But instead of sitting down to write an essay, try sitting down and writing the title. Then, make bullet points of the main topics you want to cover. After that, you can brain dump some thoughts next to each bullet point (it doesn’t have to be tidy or well written, just pop down anything that comes to mind). Next, write the introduction.

At this point, you’ve completed several small and doable tasks. However, you’ve also created a detailed plan for your essay – all you need to do now is tidy up your notes and add a conclusion!

Whatever the task, it’s likely you can mentally break it down into smaller pieces to make it much more manageable.

4. Treat yourself

There’s nothing quite like a reward to convince yourself to get some study done.

Make a plan to treat yourself when you reach minor and major milestones in your work. For example, if you finish a section of your workbook, you might treat yourself to a coffee, snack, or five minutes snuggling a pet. If you finish an assessment, you might treat yourself to watching an episode of your favourite show, or meeting up with a friend.

Do the mahi, get the treats!

5. Get a study buddy and hold each other accountable

One of the awesome things about studying online with Study From Home is that you’re not alone. You’ll have fellow students and tutors to connect with throughout your course – and even after you graduate.

Get in touch with a course mate or even a tutor and make an agreement. Let them know what work you’re planning to get done by a certain day, and if you haven’t done it by then, you owe them!

For example, say you promise them you’ll finish making your way through a workbook by next Friday. If you haven’t done it, you could agree to a ‘penalty’. The penalty could be anything from buying them a coffee to sending them an embarrassing childhood photo – whatever will motivate you to get through the work!

6. Take a real break

Sometimes we procrastinate simply because we’re tired. So we sit down to get something done, then end up scrolling social media or wasting time instead. The result is not a real break that refreshes you, but not work either.

So give yourself permission to take a real break. Go outside for a walk, give a friend a call for a catch up, or simply relax and listen to some of your favourite music.

After 30 minutes, come back to your studies and get started right away. You’ll feel fresher and rested so you can dive right in.

7. Make a vision board

Anyone studying with Study From Home or ITC is likely doing it with a potential career in travel and tourism in mind.

Do you want to be a flight attendant? Work in a travel agency? Welcome guests on the front desk of a hotel? Be a tour guide somewhere amazing?

Whatever your dream career is, put together a vision board. Fill it with images of what your life and job could be like when you work in that role – photos of travel, adventure, meeting people, and all the excitement of a career in travel.

Every time you get stuck, check out your vision board and remind yourself why you’re doing this. Then use that excitement to keep going.

Stop procrastinating – enrol today!  

Have you been putting off enrolment with Study From Home? Snap out of your procrastination and enrol today to kick start an incredible career in travel and tourism.

Simply visit our Enrolment page and fill out the quick and easy Enrolment Form to get started.

Our friendly tutors will be with you every step of the way to help keep you going, so you’ll have plenty of support and guidelines as you earn an internationally recognised qualification that could get you a foot in the door in your dream career.

Contact us today to learn more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Did you know you can start with Study From Home right now?

Ready to earn a qualification in 2023? You can enrol and get started with us today!

Study From Home is the online version of the International Travel College (ITC) of New Zealand.

ITC’s courses are currently getting started for the New Year, with classes beginning over the next month. But did you know, that thanks to Study From Home’s online learning programme, you can get started any time you like – even today.

If you enrol now, you could be doing the first steps in your coursework this week, and working your way towards a qualification that gives you a foot in the door in the travel and tourism industry here in New Zealand and around the world.

What you can start studying today

• The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism (level 3): This qualification provides an excellent foundation in tourism. You’ll learn about travel requirements and documentation, customer service, communication, and more. This is a great option if you know you want to work in travel and tourism, but aren’t sure which job just yet.
• The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation (level 3): This qualification is the alternative level 3 option. It also provides a fantastic basic level of knowledge for a variety of tourism jobs, but has a specific focus on the aviation industry. This is a great choice for anyone looking to become a flight attendant or work in an airport.
• The New Zealand Certificate in Travel (level 4): This programme is a progression on our level 3 courses, and adds new skills and knowledge including online fare and ticketing systems, financial operations, teamwork, and more. You don’t need to have completed a level 3 course with use to enrol in this course, but you do need to have either achieved NCEA level 3 and/or have relevant work experience.
• The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (level 5): This high level course provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to prepare for high level roles in management. Skills offered include marketing, strategic planning, finance, human resources, and more. This is a fast-paced and challenging course, and to study it, you either need to have achieved NCEA level 4 or have appropriate work experience.

What’s it like to study from home?

Study From Home has been designed to support students as they work through the programmes, and to ensure that learning is as interactive and interesting as it is informative.

Therefore, you won’t spend the whole time reading pages and pages of information then doing exams. Instead, our programme material includes video lessons, short quizzes, online forums, research activities, real-world cases studies, and the support of dedicated tutors should you ever need advice or encouragement.

You can study in your own time, so you can easily fit a course around part-time work, or even full-time work if you’re extra dedicated.

If you’re unsure about what it would be like to study online, you can also sign up for a free trial where you get to see what the coursework looks like.

Enrol now

Ready to get started? You can enrol right now by filling out our enrolment form, and we’ll get back to you to confirm your spot as soon as possible.

Or if you have any questions at all, call or email us to learn more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Why right NOW is a great time to study

Now is a fantastic time to study travel and tourism from home.

Have you ever thought about earning a qualification? Or going back to school to start an exciting new career for yourself?

If the thought has ever crossed your mind, there has rarely been a better time to get started and study!

Here’s a little more about why now is the perfect time to study, and how Study From Home can help you earn a qualification from the comfort of your living room.

Why now is the right time to start

“The tourism sector could struggle to meet the lift in demand given the lack of available workers right across the economy, continuing limited access to staff from overseas, and the flow of young Kiwis heading offshore.”

That’s a direct quote from economist Brad Olsen, but not a unique statement in New Zealand right now.

It should come as no surprise that tourism and travel businesses are already short staffed, but we think things will only get worse now that the border is finally open, and that summer is on the horizon.

We’re already seeing this happen in Europe. For example, in Greece, it is said that there is a shortage of 50,000 workers out of the 250,000 needed to staff their hotels. That’s just in one country, in just the hotel industry.

That means, any learner in New Zealand who starts their studies right now will be graduating just in time to have their pick of practically any tourism job in the country. From hotels to airlines to adventure tourism, all areas of the industry are going to be in desperate need of qualified staff.

What will you learn by studying online?

Study From Home allows you to earn a valuable qualification in travel and tourism from the comfort of your own home. You can choose when you study and learn at your own pace, so you can fit it in around any current family or work commitments, and still get qualified.

We offer courses at level 3 as a solid foundation for any work in the travel and tourism industry, or you can consider a level 4 or level 5 course if you are looking to upskill further.

No matter which course you choose, you’ll graduate with a strong basic understanding of the travel and tourism here in New Zealand, with practical skills in communication, documentation, and more.

Whether you’re dreaming of working in a hotel or love the hustle and bustle of airports, it’s likely that by the time you graduate, there will be a number of fantastic jobs available to you – and employers will be more than excited to receive your CV with a qualification from our industry-renowned courses!

Our team helps to make this easier with an Employment Consultant who is on hand to help connect you to industry employers and assist with putting a CV together and going through the interview process. You can learn a little more about this process with our FAQs!

And the best part is, you can enrol and get started at any time. You could even do it today!

Fill out our enrolment form online right now, or get in touch with any questions you may have. We’d love to hear from you!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

It’s too cold to go out – why not Study From Home?

The weather is making the outdoors very unappealing at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend your time wisely indoors!

As wind and rain batter at the windows and make it miserable to spend any time outside, many Kiwis are staying warm and dry indoors as much as possible this winter.

And if you’re stuck for things to do while you’re at home, or would like to spend this time as productively as you can, why not look into distance learning?

With Study From Home, you can take this time to earn a valuable qualification designed for the travel and tourism industry.

The best part is that you can start anytime! Our enrolment process is easy and we have incredibly supportive tutors and staff to help you along your journey to improving your career.

Here’s a little more about our courses and why they could be the perfect wintry project.

Study From Home courses

Study From Home offers courses at levels 3, 4, and 5. Typically, our students will begin with a level 3 course, such as the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3, which is an excellent introduction to the industry and offers a great foundation for those looking to find work in travel or tourism.

You’ll learn about cross-cultural communication, customer service, travel requirements and documentation, geography, New Zealand’s tourism industry, and more. Keep in mind, a lot of this information applies to other industries as well, so a qualification can be a good first step in any career that involves dealing with people and communicating.

Over the past few years, Study From Home has also been working hard to improve these courses and how students can learn. You won’t just be reading loads of textbooks, but rather taking interactive video lessons, taking part in online forum discussions, doing quizzes, problem solving with activities, and much more.

We know everyone has different learning styles, which is why we work hard to ensure the courses are as interesting and informative as possible, with plenty of support from our dedicated tutors.

Not convinced if learning online would you? Do a free Study From Home trial to see what it’s really like!

Why study now?

Since you’re indoors all the time anyway and it’s too cold and miserable to do anything outside, winter is the perfect time to start studying.

However, it’s also the perfect time to earn a qualification in travel and tourism, as the industry is starting to really boom after the pandemic. As this coming summer will be the first time New Zealand is properly open to the world in years, the entire industry is gearing up for an extremely busy tourist season – and companies around the country are desperately seeking staff.

If you study a level three course full time (30 hours per week), you can maintain a part-time job or other responsibilities and still graduate this summer, just in time to find employment straight away.

Also, if you enrol right now, you can also apply for an ITC Scholarship. There are several Scholarships to be given away, so get your entry in for the chance to win one.

So if you’re looking for something to do this winter, or are looking for a career change, take a look at what our courses offer, and get in touch today with any questions at all.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Looking up to incredible female role models in travel and tourism

ITC and Study From Home’s CEO Claire Huxley is an amazing role model for students.

ITC is very much a reflection of the travel and tourism industry. While it’s true that we have male and female students, it’s also true that women in the industry can struggle to juggle a career and a family.

But times have changed, and it’s no longer accepted (or acceptable!) that a woman’s job is to stay home and be a mum when she wants a career. Our graduates are heading out into the world with industry-recognised qualifications and are well prepared for stellar careers in travel and tourism, and the team loves nothing more to watch as they go from success to success.

As well as watching our own graduates succeed, we love keeping an eye on incredible female role models in the industry.

Meet LeeAnn Yare

LeeAnn Yare is truly an inspiration. This Kiwi pilot flies 777s with Air New Zealand, but she’s also a mum, an interior and food stylist, and an author.

This is a woman who shows the rest of us that it’s possible to do all the things you want to do and be all the things you want to be.

In an article for Stuff discussing how the aviation industry needs more pilots, LeeAnn spoke about how she loves seeing more women take to the skies, but that progress is slow.

“When I started out in the industry, around 30 years ago, around 3 per cent of the world’s airline pilots were women. That number is now roughly 5 per cent.”

She also spoke about how when she started flying, she would often hear an outdated trope that ‘if girls were meant to fly, the sky would be pink’. But these days, she’s seeing much more encouragement from colleagues and the industry for women getting started in the profession.

“As I get to see more than my fair share of beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the best office window in the world, I can honestly tell you the sky is often pink, and I will take every opportunity to snap and share that, because if I can inspire just one young woman to become a pilot then I am succeeding.”

The women of ITC

And let’s not forget some of the amazing women within ITC.

ITC CEO Claire Huxley

Claire has faced plenty of challenges in her career and has risen to the occasion every time. She has lived, worked, and travelled all over the world, and ITC is lucky to have her skills and experience at the helm.

Last year, Claire offered 12 essential pieces of advice for graduates.

These included gems such as never hiding from your mistakes, always moving forward, and making connections everywhere you go.

She’s a woman who has made her way through an inspired career in travel and tourism, and offers much more than 12 pieces of advice for others to learn from.

Claire is backed by a team of amazing women. Here are just a few and their proudest achievements!

Karen Houston – Founder and Consultant of ITC

Karen has an extensive background in international tourism, starting out as a tour guide and overseas agent in Spain and North Africa, before taking up a UK based position as Regional Trainer for Thomson Holidays, Europe’s largest tour operator. Over the following 15 years Karen progressed to Reservations Manager and Regional Manager before taking up the post of General Manager based in London.

A career move back into training and education for the travel and tourism industries led to the set up of her own training consultancy business. Operating in the UK and Europe Karen gained extensive experience and qualifications as a professional adult educator.

After moving to New Zealand Karen set up the College in 1996 with other business professionals. Founded on principles of business excellence the College continues to attract quality staff and students seeking the best that New Zealand industry training can offer. Karen is a leading spokesperson for the industry.

Mel Jenkins, Marketing Manager

After leaving school early, gaining her tourism qualifications she reached her dream career at Air New Zealand. Now she is ITC’s Marketing Manager and manages the schools team. Mel wanted to achieve something big so she could share her story with others and be a role model for her own 4 children, so she chose to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, a 42.2km run on Mount Everest. After training and dedication, she landed in Nepal to begin the acclimatisation process and a trek to Base Camp (where the marathon begins).

With limited oxygen and icy tracks, it was a huge physical and mental challenge. Of course, it didn’t come easy as she was meant to complete this a year prior after the event was cancelled due to a devastating earthquake. She re-focused her energy on training another year and raising over $5,000 for those in need. She’s now sharing her story and message to not sell yourself short. You can achieve anything you want to. You cannot possibly just sit and wait for the impossible to happen without a little hard work.

She says ‘you cannot make diamonds without a little pressure’. You need to prepare, work hard or train and participate.

Irena Wysoczanski – Academic & Quality Manager 

As a 10 year old, working in her immigrant father’s fish and chip shop after school, Irena learned the art of customer service… little did she know that it would take her on a lifetime journey of learning. Some achievements include – Flight Attendant to Cabin Crew Training Manager for Air New Zealand, delivering Cabin Crew Management Papers at Massey University, helping her manager start a new PTE at Air New Zealand, and more recently, instead of retiring, two years ago at the age of 66 took on the challenge of Academic & Quality Manager for ITC to learn more about the continuous improvement and compliance required of a PTE. Her biggest achievement? To never stop wanting to learn…

Become your own inspiration

Study From Home allows you to balance study with work and home life, ensuring you earn a valuable qualification even with everything else going on. With distance learning, you can take the first step into a new career and become your own inspiration in life.

Take a look at our learning from home options and get in touch today to find out more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Read the inspiring speech shared for a recent ITC graduation by an industry leader

Haka Tours General Manager Eve Lawrence recently gave an excellent speech at an ITC graduation.

Eve Lawrence is the General Manager for Haka Tourism Group, where she runs Haka Tours, NZ Snow Tours, and ANZ Nature Tours. Naturally, she is an incredible role model for anyone aspiring to work in the tourism industry.

She recently shared the speech she wrote for our graduates.

With her permission, we are sharing some of the highlights of her speech, so you can enjoy her pearls of wisdom about tourism, travel, and making a career out of something you love!

Eve’s graduation speech for ITC

Firstly I would like to congratulate each and every one of you for successfully completing your NZQA level 4 and 5 diplomas in Tourism & Travel Management.

I know from personal experience just how tough these last 2 years have been, not only for myself, but for each and every team member, employee and business leader in the tourism ecosystem. Leaders today are leading in a world moving through crisis and disruption—where challenges have no known solutions, and where there are solutions, there are far too many pathways and very few clear ones.

Much like the grieving process, the covid process has come with stages.

Stage 1 – Disbelief

• Disbelief that global travel could shut down
• Disbelief that our revenue could go from 21 Million to ZERO overnight
• Disbelief, that the whānau many businesses had built had to be dismantled to keep the business alive
• Disbelief that we weren’t able to see family members or friends
• And most of all, disbelief that we couldn’t be with sick or dying loved ones in their hours of need

Stage 2 – Denial

• Denial that lockdown would last very long
• Denial that we had to let go of some of our whanau permanently
• And for some denial, particularly from New Zealand, that covid was even happening

Stage 3 – Acceptance & realisation

• The realisation that covid was here to stay
• The realisation that we weren’t going to get our whānau back quickly and that we were going to be operating, as a business on near to zero revenue for potentially months to come
• And the realisation from team members and employees in the industry that they may lose their jobs in the coming weeks and months

Which spurs on and leads to…

Stage 4 – The hustle

For a business, this is perhaps the most important phase in any journey of resilience, and certainly the stage that separates those who lead from those who follow.

This is the stage that has ensured the survival of our business. Working together as a leadership team, we ensured the survival of Haka Tourism Group, in the same way many others have secured the survival of their businesses for the future.

Ryan, our founding director, sold 3 accommodation properties, leased another property to the govt as a Māori wahine refuge, and also found a new majority shareholder for our Touring Brands. I focused on our environmental and community partnerships and built a range of new active products with our Aussie partners Intrepid to try and target the domestic market just to keep our touring brands in the black.

These things combined have ensured the survival of all our Haka Tourism Group businesses.

Which leads me to…

Stage 5 – The rebuild

Now it may not seem so to you now, but I can assure you that you will be joining the tourism and travel industry at possibly one of the most exciting times in history. Never has there been a better time to consider a career in travel and put all the skills and knowledge you’ve developed during your education to good use.

There are a few things I would urge you to consider whilst embarking on your journey into our sector moving forward.

As an industry we are working harder than ever to become more regenerative, work more effectively with our communities and really engage our manuhiri in our Maori culture. Upskill yourselves on environmental initiatives, our Maori history and what tourism businesses are doing to contribute in these areas.

Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate. This is something industry leaders don’t do enough.

Collaboration divides the task, but multiplies the successes, and going forward, people who can think through problems and who are collaborative are more important than ever.

For decades the business landscape had rewarded leaders who delivered exceptional short-term performance within their role and parameters. And for decades, the traditional business adage was that economic and social value could not be maximised at the same time.

But this current climate has underscored one resounding truth: we can no longer operate in an either/or world. We are leaders of ecosystems, and leadership is no longer confined by boundaries.

Organisations will need agile Enterprise Leaders — executives who know how and when to perform and transform in today’s complex world, not just in their own business vertical, but horizontally, across the broader business and industry ecosystem, people who value creativity, transformation & those who are adaptive. You need the capability to not only THINK, but to execute.

I strongly encourage you to think like Enterprise Leaders and to do this you need to consider these key questions:

• What kind of societal needs does your business intend to meet?
• What impact does your business desire to generate?
• Who will you partner and collaborate with?
• What is your purpose? What holds our ecosystem / sector together?
• How does the business position itself within the ecosystem?
• How are values created and shared amongst the ecosystem?

Our industry is going to need young, fresh talent now more than ever. So break the boundaries, think differently and express your opinions, because you deserve to be heard.

As you move forward through your careers, If you remember one thing from this speech, remember this; Leadership is an action, not a position.

Become part of the industry

“Now it may not seem so to you now, but I can assure you that you will be joining the tourism and travel industry at possibly one of the most exciting times in history.”

If Eve’s words make you feel like now is that time to join the industry, it’s because it is!

You can start studying any of our five incredible course options anytime with Study From Home. Check out our course options here.

Enrol now or get in touch to find out more!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

We’ve been saying this for months – Tourism needs you!

Tourism needs you now!

For months and months, ITC has known that the tourism industry will need recruits to meet demands.

With the tourism boom around the corner, we certainly have seen an increased need for employees. Our Employment Consultants have been working really hard to support past students and it’s paid off for our recent graduates!

We knew that as soon as the border restrictions started to loosen, every tourism employer in the country would be looking to hire new staff and get ready for the inevitable rush of visitors who have been looking forward to getting to New Zealand ever since we closed our borders.

It’s our little ‘I told you so’ moment, and we couldn’t be more excited that it has finally arrived.

Recent graduates spoilt for choice

Recent graduates from the past year or so have been absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to finding jobs in the industry.

In fact, there have been more jobs coming in than graduates coming out.

Our two Employment Consultants have been exceptionally busy helping ITC and Study From Home graduates find and apply for fantastic roles throughout New Zealand, and we’ve seen endless successes from our graduates.

Here are just a few of the roles that have been filled by graduates from the past year:

• Bridge Guide at AJ Hackett
• Travel Consultant for Air New Zealand in Auckland
• Guide & Customer Service representative for the All Blacks Experience
• Customer Service for Onsen Hot Pools Queenstown
• Boat Host for Southern Discoveries
• Team Lead for Rydges Resort
• Cabin Crew for Air New Zealand (several roles)
• Customer Service for Air New Zealand (several roles)

How our new Whanau Portal can help you & your family decide if ITC and Study From Home is right for you

If you’re unsure about studying at ITC and jump starting a career in travel and tourism (or if your family isn’t sold on the idea!), we’ve created a webpage to help you make an informed decision.

It’s called the ITC Whanau Portal, and it’s filled with information about us and the industry that you’ll need to know to make your decision.

We explain what makes tourism a safe career choice, how you can go about finding employment once you graduate, and how ITC has established ties with tourism businesses that helps secure positions for our graduates in the industry.

You’ll also find information on what makes ITC so special, and how you’ll be able to study but also balance that with life or even a part-time job.

So take a look through the Whanau Portal and get in touch if you have any questions at all about studying with ITC, working in tourism, or getting a job once you graduate.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Student interview: Meet Desiree Paul, the student scoring record-high grades while studying from home

Desiree at the airport with her siblings before flying to Australia.

Desiree Paul is a level 5 Study From Home student who completed levels 3 and 4 with another provider, then switched to ITC (and loved it!).

Recently, Desiree completed an assessment as part of the level 5 diploma, and received the highest grade ever given for that assessment. Needless to say, her work ethic and enthusiasm have shone through and greatly impressed her tutors and everyone on the Study From Home team, so we decided to have a quick chat with this star student.

Here’s a quick interview with Desiree about her time with Study From Home, taking on level 5, her career goals, and more.

What made you decide to get your qualifications with Study From Home?

I chose to study from home because I like the idea of being able to study on my own time. I also focus and get work done better when I am in my own space. The other reason I chose to study from home is because it allows me to do house chores when I am having a break.

You’ve already completed levels 3 & 4, so why was level 5 important to you as well?

I have always been really passionate about all aspects tourism, so as soon as I started studying tourism I decided that I would go to the highest level of studying I can. I also would like build my skill set and information.

We heard you recently received the highest grade ever on a certain paper. Was it an area you’re particularly interested in?

Wow, I’m so happy to hear that. Yes, workplace management and human resources has always been an interest of mine. I first found an interest in Human Resources when I took tourism as a class at high school.

How have you found the experience of earning qualifications from home?

I absolutely love it, being able to study in my own space and in my own time is amazing. I also love ITC, the content of the study material is interesting and really informative. I love the activities as well I find them fun but at the same time helpful.

What are your career goals once you graduate?

Once I graduate I would like to go and work on Hamilton Island, either in human resources or as a conference and events manager. I became interested in Hamilton Island when I started level 4.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention or share?

I’d like to thank ITC for this amazing opportunity I have to study with them. I absolutely love studying with ITC.

Desiree shows just how much you can achieve while studying from home. Is that something you’d be interested in? Get in touch with our friendly Study From Home team to find out more about the qualifications you can earn online, and how you can get started as soon as you’re ready!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

What’s happening around the world? An update on travel and tourism around the globe

The world is starting to open up. Here’s an update on what’s happening around the world in travel and tourism.

Here in New Zealand we’re working on getting our vaccine numbers up before really relaunching travel and more ease of movement, but overseas the travel and tourism industry is already heating up.

Thanks to increased vaccination rates and measures such as vaccine passports on planes, more and more countries have been able to open up for travel, and there are countless new headlines about this travel boom every single day.

With travel being so popular and airlines operating at higher levels, it has meant that incredible employment opportunities are becoming available worldwide.

Here are a select few to keep you updated.

Family travel starts making a comeback

In many places around the world, travel has been open for the vaccinated for several months. However, while children under the age of 12 were unable to be vaccinated, this made things tough for parents wanting to head away on family holidays.

Now that the vaccine has been approved for 5-12s, family travel is making a comeback.

Read more about it here.

The Airbus A380s are taking off once again

Early in the pandemic, airlines halted the use of their Airbus A380s. These planes are the world’s largest passenger airliners, and typically seat up to 525 passengers.

Recently, several airlines have started putting these planes back in the sky as travel demand picks up once again. Qatar Airways have already begun, and will be joined by Singapore Airlines and Qantas.

Read more here.

Asia-Pacific starts opening up

 Much like New Zealand, both Singapore and Malaysia aimed to completely eliminate the virus, but eventually found covid-19 in their communities. Yet with vaccines, both countries and others around Asia-Pacific have started to create pathways for travel to reboot their economies.

Vaccinated visitors from 11 countries can now travel to Singapore without needing to quarantine, and Malaysia has reopened for domestic tourism. Similarly, Thailand and Indonesia have begun easing restrictions, and of course, vaccinated Australians can also now travel home without quarantine.

Find out more here.

Travel stocks start picking up

The stock market is always a good indicator of how well an industry or company is doing, and travel companies are seeing stocks pick up across the board. From airlines to booking websites and even Airbnb, the stock market is reflecting the recovery of the industry itself.

The CEO of Expedia, Peter Kern, said it best after the company enjoyed a massive 97% growth in revenue: “Cities are picking up. International has picked up. Virtually every area has seen growth.”

Here’s the full story.

The USA reopens to Canada and Mexico

Just this week, the USA is reopening its borders to vaccinated travellers from Canada and Mexico. The borders shut at the start of the pandemic, and while travellers could fly into the country, they could not cross by land.

And unlike flights, those coming by land will not have to provide a negative PCR test, making it that much easier and more affordable for travellers looking to visit their neighbours.

See more here.

Reconnecting New Zealand with the world

Here in New Zealand, we’re excitedly waiting for our own country to open up safely so we can reconnect with the world. And the good news is that there are positive signs on the horizon.

Not only is the country’s vaccine rollout going very well and nudging us into the top countries worldwide for vaccines, the government has already announced shorter MIQ stays of 7 days (replacing the full 14 days), and suggested that it will move to a home isolation model sometime between January and April in 2022.

Read more about the plan to reconnect New Zealand with the world here.

Tourism cries out for new recruits

 Both here and around the world, the tourism industry has started hiring new recruits. They are looking for qualified professionals who can get started and help be part of travel and tourism’s triumphant return.

For those in New Zealand, the International Tourism College and Study From Home are two of the best options for students to earn valuable industry-recognised qualifications that will help them to land roles within the industry – here and overseas.

By starting your studies now, you’ll graduate at the perfect time when the industry is desperately seeking new talent.

Could that be you? Get in touch with the team to learn more about our courses and working in the industry today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Pandemic drives new interest in learning and upskilling

Throughout the pandemic, many have found a new interest in learning and upskilling.

Throughout the pandemic, many New Zealanders and people all over the world have discovered a new-found interest in upskilling and learning new things.

We all remember when many Kiwis (some of us included!) tried their hands at making home-made bread during the first lockdown, and trying all sorts of new recipes. But the interest in learning and upskilling doesn’t stop at delicious treats.

Many people have taken this time to learn something new for their careers.

Upskilling through the pandemic

During the first lockdown, comparison site Finder ran a survey on New Zealanders and found that 25% wanted to take the time to do some form of study. That’s roughly a million Kiwis seeking to learn.

For some, that was in order to change their career, while others were interested in order to avoid unemployment.

This trend has continued across the past 18 months.

In September, Pluralsight released their 2021 State of Upskilling report. This report surveyed hundreds of executives in a number of different countries, and found that half of respondents (51%) said that their organisations made upskilling a priority in 2020 when working from home became commonplace.

Additionally, financial technology group Zip Co has seen “record levels” of attendance and engagement with their virtual learning opportunities. So much so, that they have launched a 10-week training program that has been extremely well received by their teams.

Upskilling with Study From Home

Study From Home has long offered exceptional qualifications that New Zealanders can earn from the comfort of their own homes thanks to distance learning.

We offer level 3, level 4, and level 5 courses online, each of which offers a focus on travel, tourism, and aviation, but which also offer many transferable skills that can be used in a variety of industries. This includes communications, customer service, cultural awareness, human resources, management skills and more. These qualifications are great for upskilling to get into a new career, or simply upskilling your employees.

For some, Study From Home offers a chance to learn something new, perhaps at level 3 or level 4, in order to enter the exciting world of travel and tourism. For others, Study From Home offers a pathway for upskilling, even if they’re already in the industry – our New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel at level 5 is an excellent route for those in this position.

If you’re looking for online study option, especially in the travel and tourism sector, Study From Home is the perfect solution. Explore the courses available that you can start at any time, and get in touch to learn more about how you can upskill and study today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Catching up with Marise Barrett, the first ever Study From Home student to do the Level 5 diploma

Marise will soon be the first Study From Home student to complete the level 5 diploma.

Marise Barrett is a well-known name at Study From Home. She has diligently worked her way through levels three and four, and is currently on track to become the first ever student to complete the level five New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel.

We spoke to Marise in 2020, and thought it was high time we caught up to see how she is doing now that she’s almost finished the Diploma. As it turns out, she has been working extremely hard, enjoying a job at NZ travel agency helloworld, and looking forward to finally being able to travel again!

Read on to learn more.

Can you catch us up on the past year?

In July 2020 I signed up to do the Diploma in Travel after speaking with my boss, and asking whether I could do this while I was working when there was not a lot of work on. This was agreed, we were on limited hours so I was completing my diploma at work being able to spend 24 hours while in the office working on it.

In September 2020, the Helloworld CBD store where I was working closed its doors due to Covid. This really took a toll on me and I didn’t actually realise how much. This meant I had to look for a new job, I was out of work for five weeks in total, as I had found a job at a school doing Admin. But this also meant that I wouldn’t be able to do as much work on my diploma during the week. I was a bit worried about this as I was doing the diploma as full-time study.

In May of 2021, I was speaking to Bev at helloworld Strandon about my trip to Raro and she asked whether I wanted to get back into travel. Of course the answer was yes! So we worked something out and I was doing part time hours after I had finished at the school. I have now left the school and I am working on a part-time basis at helloworld, and I couldn’t be happier, this is truly the career I am meant to be doing.

Due to being only part time, I am also doing 10 hours in an admin role to help keep the bank balance happy. This means I do spent most of my nights working on my diploma and is why, even though I have enjoyed doing the diploma, I will be grateful for a break when it’s over.

What would you say is the biggest difference for you between levels 3 and 4, and level 5?

Huge difference between level 3 and 4 and then level 5. Level 5 is a lot more research and not so travel orientated, but management orientated. It is a lot more challenging.

The Study From Home team are happy to hear this feedback from Marise, because this option is to prepare students for the reality of a management role.

What are you most excited for once you finish the diploma?

Being able to read the books I brought a year ago haha. And doing some cross stitch. Since May I have been working two jobs, so it will be nice to give my brain a bit of break from it all. Also looking forward to doing some webinars to help with working at helloworld.

How has the Study From Home team supported you through the diploma?

The Study from home Team have been amazing! The tutors are always available. Cannot fault them and they are always there and have communication lines open. I have had to have an extension and this has been more than accommodating.

 Are you planning to travel once restrictions are lifted? If so, where to?

YES! We have a trip planned to Rarotonga in June 2022 – this has been rebooked from 2020 which we had rebooked for this year. There will be other places on the list but I will just be thankful if we can get to Raro.

Marise has been the first student to work her way through the level 5 diploma with Study From Home, but she certainly won’t be the last. Will you be next? Get in touch with the team to find out more about this incredible diploma you can earn through distance learning.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

ITC and SFH staff have more than 187 years of experience between them – what it means for students

The wonderful team at ITC and Study From Home.

At ITC, we’re big believers in lived experience.

That’s why our tutors are just great tutors – they’re experts in travel and tourism. They have worked in the industry, travelled plenty, and know exactly what it takes to not just get into travel jobs, but to thrive in them as well.

Together, they have had more than 187 years of experience, and every one of them adds something special for our students.

187 years of experience brings ITC students more than just quality education. It brings a memorable experience for everyone they interact with, support, real life stories, and expertise. The team at ITC and Study From Home ‘go the extra mile’ every day regardless of lockdowns. This is why so many students continue their studies and recommend a friend.

Recently, we asked each staff member to share what it is they do to go the extra mile for our students, especially in regards to recent lockdowns. Here’s what they each had to say!

Allison Jones – Tutorial Team Leader

“Sending students an email every morning reminding them of the amazing effort they’re all putting in during this challenging time, followed by our daily motivational/inspirational quote to get them started for the day.”

Examples are:

• “Progress is progress, recognise what you’ve accomplished, reward yourself, don’t compare, love yourself, always keep going”
• “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela
• “A year from now you’ll be glad you stayed today” 
• “Stay positive, think positive, do positive” 

Inder Singh – Tutor

“Answering students questions well and truly outside of business hours because some have to work and some work best in lockdown at that time. Marking online students’ papers outside of my normal hours and sometimes quite late because I know they will want their results quickly, and I want to get them back to their work. My days of work are not just Mon-Fri in level 4, but also some weekend work to help them when they need me.”

Daniel Maine – Marketing & Tourism Facilitator

Daniel has been calling hundreds of wonderful students who we’ve met across the country on a short course, expo or tourism chat. Daniel said that each conversation has been positive and enthusiastic, and he has been the epitome of what resilience is during these challenging times.

Michelle Chatfield – City Campus Manager

Organising extra support for a student to help not only them but their family. Helped with taking some of the pressure off them in such a challenging time. Reaching out to a fellow colleague and contacting them to just spend time on the phone with them and being an ear to listen.

Mel Jenkins – Marketing Manager

“Each day during Alert Level 4 I decided to create a clip a day for students of ITC and the staff so that I could share some motivation and inspiration. I called it Motivation Mel. As I progressed and more clips were produced, I saw the positive impact it was having so I even started sharing it with my own whanau and friends. It’s not only helped those around me but also it’s really helped me personally. It gives me a positive thing to focus on. You can check them out here, or watch one below!

Toni Young – Study From Home Tutor

“Responding to emails and phone calls outside our normal work times is an important part of the support for our Study from Home students while New Zealand is in lockdown. We understand how things are very different at home currently so we are being as flexible and encouraging as we can be!”

Sarah Rouse – Marketing & Tourism Facilitator

“Daniel, Shaz, Jax and myself have been working as a team these past few weeks, working extremely closely together, not only with each other but also to enroll short course students. Every Friday at 5pm we jump on teams and have a little wind down, laugh and chat to celebrate our week. It’s something we all look forward to at the end of a hard week. We are a great team at ITC.”

Susan Afoa – Tutor

“I held an extra class session for my home-class on Friday (which is usually off day off) but with a theme! The students had some remaining resits to do before their week holiday so thought it made sense. I wanted them to complete their resits before Level 4 starts and to also get their well needed break. I knew they needed some motivation to help them stay on track and that usually works when we are all online while they focus on completing their assessments. We then ended off with a Tik Tok for Maori Language week too.  My most recent quote for my students was “Do it now because LATER becomes NEVER!””

Sharon Roy – Course Advisor

“Being able to reach out to those that are keen on kick starting their journey into the travel, tourism, aviation and airline industry even in these tough times and have been able to sign enrolment papers to get a start on their career goal! We had lovely Study From Home students who started this week that had inquired during the lockdown, and being able to help make it an easier process for them and knowing they are students now is an awesome feeling.”

Takeyuki Morita – Tutor

“We have been having lots of time for talking about our life, and having lots of games to entertain the day inside the home as we know we all miss the social life. I also remind them how fantastic an effort everyone is making during this difficult time; I believe it is important for a tutor to let them know that they are making meaningful progress despite the challenges they are facing.”

“We have discussed a lot about how to take care of your physical and mental health during this challenging time, and shared lots of tips. I’ve put on a Shorinji Kempo Martial Arts training for our ITC students online during lockdown for our ITC students. This is self-defence training open to the students and their family members to get some exercise and have some fun too.”

Sarndra Stephens – Employment Consultant

“I have been reaching out to support students, past and present, in different stages of recruitment. Some for part time and others for full time jobs. I have also enjoyed working with students on an individual basis to get their CVs in top shape so they are ready to hit the ground running the minute they see a part or full time job they think has their name on it.”

Nicky McCutcheon – Employment Consultant

“The most motivating part of my role during lockdown has been the ability to create more careers resources which everyone can now use for their future career progression, these are already being used and constantly developing. I have also been able to continue with organising an industry guest speaker (online which is a little different for us) and I am finding some very exciting industry roles which I have been able to put forward some of our students/graduates for. They have attended online interviews with some really successful outcomes and have in turn been my inspiration! Lockdown is not stopping anyone, just giving us a few extra challenges to navigate along the way and what an amazing feeling to overcome some of those hurdles – we are always learning.”

Claire Huxley – Chief Executive

“I’ve really tried to focus on wellbeing for our team (and students). Offering wellbeing workshops, which our Marketing Manager Mel has used to create some excellent material for students and staff. I’ve helped with lobbying, and we were successful in getting the extra Hardship money for our students to support them during a tough time in higher alert levels. Another important focus has been on supporting people in any way so they can get vaccinated, even with time off.”

Louise Griffiths – Tutor

“Our Botany level 4 students complete their studies with us in December this year. Given the difficulties of studying during lockdown it’s been good to re-visit with each student what it is they would like to do when they finish in December. We’ve used this time wisely and worked with Nicky, our Employment Consultant, to assist them with their career conversations and looking at what opportunities there will be available including International Working Holidays. We need to remind them of why they are doing what they are doing and that Nicky has so many jobs available it will be an exciting time to assist them with applications.”

Become part of the family

Interested in studying with Study From Home and becoming part of the family that looks out for each other and goes the extra mile? We’re enrolling now, so get in touch to find out more and take the first step towards an incredible career in travel, tourism, and aviation!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Study From Home’s updated free trial gives students the chance to experience a snapshot of what each level is like

Study From Home’s new trial update lets you see what the coursework is really like!

Earlier this year, Study From Home launched a platform where potential students could do a free trial of our online courses.

This was a great introduction into how things would work when studying online, but not an actual snippet of the courses themselves. That’s why this time, we have updated the trial platform so that those considering earning a qualification with Study From Home can see exactly what the coursework is like by completing a snippet of the course itself.

Here’s a little more information about the three courses you can trial right now with Study From Home.

Certificate in Tourism Level 3:

Always wanted to study the exciting world of Travel and Tourism? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to study from home and study at times that suit you? Dive into a taster for Travel and Tourism Level 3 to give you an understanding what it would be like.

The trial for the Certificate in Tourism at Level 3 gives you access to the Orientation page and the Travel Workplace Practices and Geography subject. This is a good example of what you would be studying in Level 3 Study From Home (minus the assessments!).

Certificate in Travel Level 4:

Ready to take the next step in your travel and tourism qualifications? If you have studied level 3 either in the classroom or through Study From Home, this is the taster for the next step, Level 4.

Level 4 dives deeper in the travel and tourism industry. Some of the subjects you will study and research include developing a group tour, cruises, and learning how to use the Amadeus airline reservation system. During this trial, you will explore the Cruise unit (again, without the assessments).

Diploma in Tourism Level 5:

Do you want to climb the career ladder? Earn more money? Be able to make a real difference in your workplace? Learning management skills with a Travel & Tourism focus could be right for you! If you have previously studied level 4 in the classroom or online then check out this free taster for the Level 5 Diploma in Travel & Tourism course.

Level 5 gives you the skills and knowledge you need to move into becoming a manager. Subjects such as Communication Skills, Management & Strategic Planning and Marketing are applicable to working in any industry. This complements the parts of the course which are more tourism specific such as Tourism Development and Tourism Research. This taster gives you access to the first four modules of the Workplace Management & Human Resources subject.

You also have amazing support and encouragement from the study from home team who are only an email, phone call or Zoom connection away! Explore, have a look at the resources and if you need any further information do not hesitate to get in touch.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Preparing for the post-lockdown boom

The Coromandel is one of many famous NZ places that will likely see a mini-boom post lockdown.

In March 2020, none of us really knew what was going to happen. We all locked down, worked hard at staying safe, and when our measures proved to be successful, we all celebrated by spending the rest of the year (and most of this year) travelling domestically and enjoying our own backyards more than ever before.

This time around, we’re a little wiser, a little more experienced, and a lot more hopeful about what the future holds.

This time, we know a post-lockdown travel boom is coming.

The travel and hospitality industries prepare for a boom

As a nation, we hate being cooped up, and the first thing on many people’s minds will be to get out and see family and friends, visit new places, and experience new things around Aotearoa.

Even if it takes more time than in 2020, New Zealand will eventually come out of lockdown and once again be able to enjoy travelling around the country.

That’s why the travel and hospitality industries are already preparing for increased activity in the coming months.

In a Tourism New Zealand release, the organisation stated that “there is a pent-up demand for domestic tourism post Covid-19 – travel will be local at first”, and, “despite economic conditions, consumers are still likely to want to treat themselves, especially, initially post lockdown.”

As New Zealand heads towards the warmer months and emerges from a second national lockdown, many businesses are looking forward to the mini-boom that is likely to occur, and preparing accordingly.

Using lockdown as a chance to prepare and upskill

This lockdown has felt different for everyone, and for many, it has felt different because it has been a time for preparation.

Rather than sitting at home and wondering what happens next, many are using the time to think about and prepare for what comes next.

That’s why it is the perfect time to upskill – which you can do at any time online with Study From Home. Our distance learning courses offer qualifications in travel, tourism, and aviation, all of which you can study from the comfort of your own home with little more than a laptop and an internet connection.

You can start whenever you like – you could start tomorrow if it suited you – and complete an industry-recognised qualification by the time New Zealand’s travel industry really kicks off again.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has already highlighted the value of studying from home as part of the industry’s move back to normalcy, saying that “85% of organisations indicate that online learning will play an important role in recovery plans.”

With New Zealand already making plans for how to open the border safely and allow the flow of international tourism to start again, there’s never been a better time to upskill and prepare to meet that worldwide pent-up demand for travel. It won’t be long before there are more jobs than people, and anyone with qualifications will be spoiled for choice.

Interested in using your lockdown time to upskill and prepare for the post-lockdown boom? Take a look at the Study From Home courses you can start today, or get in touch with us to find out more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet your Study From Home team

Study From Home’s friendly team

When you earn your travel and tourism qualifications with Study From Home, you’ll spend your time in front of your laptop at home.

However, you’ll still enjoy the support and guidance of our Study From Home tutors, just like you would if you were studying in person. This close-knit team works hard to support our students as they move through their coursework, and will be there for advice, help, and motivation every step of the way.

Interested in learning more about your Study From Home tutors and team? Here’s a brief introduction!

Toni Young

Toni Young is the newest member of the Study From Home team, joining the crew in early 2021. Before that, she lived in Australia and the UK, and worked as a travel agent, a teacher, and for an airline and event management company.

No two days are the same for Toni. She might be working in Teams Assessment with a group of students, on a Zoom meeting with a student overseas, marking students’ work, or working on developing new course content. She sees her role as encouraging, motivating, facilitating, and counselling students.

“Their success is our success and we have lots of processes in place to help make this happen,” she explains.

Her favourite part of the job is seeing students achieve their qualifications and start their dream jobs in the industry, and her advice to students considering studying for a career in tourism and travel is to simply do it.

“There is no better time to be studying towards your travel and tourism qualifications. The industry needs qualified and motivated students and with this qualification you will be ideally placed to enter the exciting world of travel and tourism.”

When Toni isn’t helping and motivating students for Study From Home, she can often be found on the ski fields near her home town in Christchurch.

Joy Carter

Before becoming a Study From Home tutor, Joy spent almost 10 years teaching at the ITC Botany campus, so she has extensive experience with travel, tourism, and aviation courses. Prior to her work with ITC, she spent more than 10 years selling travel holidays.

Her days are always busy; doing roleplays with students, marking student coursework, responding to queries, and checking in on student progress. She helps to update and improve resources as well, but no matter how busy she is, “we are never too busy to have a chat with our students,” she says.

She knows that some students may need a hand with technical issues, and loves to help explain tricky terminology or clarify certain questions whenever students get stuck. But her favourite part of the job is getting to know the students, sharing their journeys, and celebrating their successes.

She says that for students considering studying online with SFH, the trick is to have plenty of support.

“Let family members and friends know that you are studying and the hours you have committed to. They probably don’t realise, and you may need them to help out if you encounter challenges along the way, such as a change of routine or sickness,” she said.

Joy’s no stranger to travel herself. She has been to many places over the years, but on one particularly memorable trip to Papua New Guinea, she and her husband and young daughter experienced a real culture shock. They were advised to lock themselves in at night, and on New Year’s Eve, the police came through their backyard chasing a “rascally”!

Lynelle Panton

Lynelle’s background is all about travel. She has worked in leisure travel, in hotels, for rental car companies, and even as a corporate travel consultant at American Express. That’s when she joined the ITC team as a campus tutor, before moving across to the Study From Home team where she is also a tutor.

As a part-timer, Lynelle juggles her work with SFH with her home life, where she’s full-on with three kids. She loves that she can spend time with her children after school and help with their activities, while still working in an industry she loves so much and knows so well.

When asked what she does to go the extra mile for her students, Lynelle explained that going the extra mile simply goes hand in hand with the travel and tourism industry, so it’s important to do that from the start. This can mean doing roleplays outside of normal hours, meeting students to help with assessments, and working with students one-on-one. She loves the work, and especially so when she sees the results and added confidence in the students.

“You can see them blossom after they have had that little bit of extra help,” she says.

For anyone considering signing up with Study From Home, she says that if it’s something you really want to do, then don’t let anything stop you. She recommends using the tutors who are there specifically to help – and they want to help.

Her favourite part of the job? Seeing students grow.

“A lot of students don’t realise how much they change from the start of the course to the end. It’s not just a knowledge thing – when you have learned something you gain confidence… and obviously I love to see them get their qualification and start working in the industry!”

And if you ever have a moment, be sure to ask Lynelle about her time working at a winery. She did the usual tasks such as wine tastings, but she would also occasionally jump in the ute with the dog in the back, then drive up and down the rows of vines banging the car door and getting the dog to bark like mad to scare away the birds.

Andrew Houston

Andrew began as a tutor for the Botany Campus five years ago, but he has since worked as the Tutorial Team Leader, and is now the Botany Campus Manager and Study From Home Manager. His work with Study From Home is backed by a long career in tourism and travel, where he worked in aviation security, and for Air New Zealand and Flight Centre.

His role is incredibly diverse. He supports the tutorial, recruitment, and student services teams for the Botany Campus, and the entire Study From Home Team. He even still teaches some diploma subjects and plays an important role in developing new course materials and resources.

Recently, he has been heavily involved with creating new interactive activities, video lessons, and enhanced subject guides for Study From Home students. Andrew, and the entire team, consistently work to make improvements for a better learning experience for everyone.

“I also empower the team to look for creative solutions to assist students who are facing personal challenges whilst studying,” he adds.

His favourite part of the job is seeing students start working in the world’s most exciting industry, and his advice for anyone considering study is to check out the Study From Home Free Trial, which gives you an idea of the style of learning you can expect as a student.

When he’s not busy with ITC and Study From Home work, Andrew is working on his fitness as he gets ready to run the Queenstown Marathon in November.

Ready to meet the team for real? Get in touch with us to hear more about our distance learning options, to enrol, and to meet your new Study From Home tutors!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

You’ve studied from home – now how about working from home, too?

Study & work from home

Distance learning is a wonderful way to earn a valuable qualification, and we’re proud to offer level 3, 4, and 5 courses in the travel and tourism industry that anyone in New Zealand can complete online.

For those who have earned their certificates through Study From Home, they already know the multitude of benefits of working from the comfort of your own house (only one of which is being able to work in your pajamas if you want to).

So if you’ve studied from home and realised how much you love (or simply need) the freedom of working from home as well, here’s a little more on what’s available, and what it’s like to work from home.

Remote work positions in the travel and tourism industry

Remote work is highly sought after and there are not always a lot of positions available, but they do exist, and those with qualifications are better placed to apply than those without.

For example, you may be able to find one of these work from home positions:

• Travel agent
• Customer support for a travel, tourism, or aviation business
• Guest experience manager
• Customer service agent
• Reservations agent
• Travel writer/editor

Finding remote work is often a case of keeping an eye on available positions, and making the most of resources available to you such as ITC’s dedicated employment consultants, who work to help ITC and Study From Home graduates find roles in the industry.

In some cases, you may need to gain experience in an in-person job before moving into a remote position.

What is it actually like to work from home?

Studying from home is a good introduction to working from home, but not necessarily the same.

Working from home has countless upsides. Not only do you not have to get dressed up for work, you don’t even have to spend money on work outfits.

There is no commute, meaning that you both get a little bit more time in the morning and evening, and you don’t have to deal with the stress of traffic, or the cost of transport and parking.

There are no distracting coworkers, typically less office politics, and it’s much easier to whip up lunch when you have an entire kitchen at your disposal. You can also keep an eye on kids home from school while continuing your work day, without having to take time off.

That said, there are a few things you will need to be prepared for if you’re planning on working from home:

• Distractions such as kids, pets, housework, and even hobbies
• Separating work-life from home-life
• Working without colleagues around you (although this can be a bonus for introverts!)

Working from home is extremely popular for a reason, so once you’ve adjusted to these common challenges, you’ll be ready for a career that’s as comfortable and convenient as your studies were!

Do you love the idea of distance learning, and perhaps of working from home for your job as well? Get in touch with us at Study From Home to learn more about our courses and the careers they can lead to.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

How to set up a productive study space

A great study space will help you stay focused when studying from home.

If you’re about to start studying from home, one of the best ways to prepare is to set up a productive study space before you begin.

This will be your go-to spot for all of your coursework and study, so it needs to be comfortable and offer a supportive learning environment.

Not sure where to start? Here’s how to set up a productive study space in your home.

A quiet spot

One of the hardest parts of study is keeping your focus on the task at hand, which is why it’s important to try to find a quiet area where you can study.

Ideally, this would be away from the television or living area where family members or flatmates spend time hanging out – it can be far too tempting to join in their conversations or watch whatever’s on TV instead of studying!

Clear lighting

As you will be looking at a screen and reading for a lot of your study, you will need to have good lighting to ensure you can see well without harming your eyes.

Natural light is great, but a desk lamp or well-lit room as just as beneficial for helping you see clearly.

Keep in mind, you also don’t want to be squinting into bright light. This can happen if you’re facing a window, so consider either facing away or turning your desk and chair sideways to the window.

A good desk and chair

Your goal for a study space is to be comfortable – but not too comfortable.

You want to be able to sit down for a couple of hours at a time without getting uncomfortable enough that you have to move, but you also don’t want to feel like you’re lounging. If you are too comfy, you might struggle to focus.

Similarly, be sure to get out of your pajamas when you study! You don’t need to be in formal office attire, but the act of getting dressed can help you to get in the right mindset for study.

Study supplies

All we ask of our students is that they have a personal laptop or computer to work from. This is technically all you need, but you may wish to stock up on other items if it helps your study style.

This might include:

• A notepad or book
• Pens in different colours
• Highlighters
• A ruler
• Post-It notes

Snacks and drinks

Study is hard work, and while it’s best to get up and leave your desk for actual meals, you should also have something on hand at your desk.

A full drink bottle of water is a must, and a couple of pieces of fruit will help to keep you alert. Fruits like grapes or berries are great to nibble on throughout the day.

Of course, less healthy snacks like lollies and chips are always delicious, but keep them to a minimum!

Remove distractions

Remove any distractions from your study area to help you keep your focus where it needs to be.

This means everything from closing non-study tabs on your laptop such as Facebook or YouTube, turning your phone off or leaving it in another room, and even locking the cat out if you have to.

Even music can be a distraction, so switch it off or opt for calming background noise rather than music with lyrics.

Only use it for study

Finally – and importantly – only use your new study space to actually study.

If you start sitting there to watch Netflix, cut your nails, or chat to friends, you’ll quickly start blurring the lines between study and normal life. By only sitting there when you intend to study, you’ll help to get into the right mindset to focus on your course as soon as you sit down.

Do you have a study space ready? Are you looking to try distance learning with Study From Home? Get in touch to learn more about our courses and the qualifications you can earn from the comfort of your own home.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

International Air Transport Association shares research highlighting demand for industry training

The International Air Transport Association has shared new research highlighting the need for industry training.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recently shared research highlighting how the industry is soon going to need trained employees who are ready to fill the positions created as tourism recovers.

This news comes after the IATA surveyed approximately 800 human resource leaders in the aviation industry, each of which are responsible for hiring new talent that offer the skills and knowledge necessary for the sector.

As many as half of survey respondents said their top priority was to assess the skills available in the workforce and map them against the needs of their organisations.

Additionally, “results from the survey show that the topics of safety, operations, security, and economic disciplines have been identified as the main areas where training will be required to master the currently situation. Safety was highlighted as particularly critical for airlines, ground service providers and airports.”

Not only that, but the IATA has also stated that distance learning will play a big role in preparing the tourism and travel workforce.

According to those surveyed, more than a third (36%) had already moved their focus to distance learning.

And even more interestingly, as many as 85% said that online learning will play an important role in the recovery of the industry.

“As aviation rebuilds, topics such as sustainability and digitalisation will gain importance,” said IATA.

For Study From Home, our online learning has already helped many students who were able to continue their studies during lockdowns, or take up studies from anywhere in the country without needing to move cities or commute in order to earn a valuable qualification in tourism, travel, and aviation.

We are dedicated to providing students with the training, knowledge, and practical skills they need to easily move from college into a role in the industry. Get in touch today to find out more about how our online courses can prepare you for a rewarding career in travel, tourism, and aviation.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Study From Home makes distance learning more engaging and supportive than ever before

Study From Home has made a number of upgrades to make online learning my accessible and enjoyable than ever before.

Study From Home is one of New Zealand’s leading providers of distance learning options. And we’ve just got even better.

We have recently made a range of updates and changes to our study platform, each designed to improve the learning experience for our students. We started by asking students what they would like to see more of, and went from there.

Read on to find out just what’s changed.

Study From Home platform updates

Lynelle Panton is one of the Study From Home distance learning tutors. When speaking about the changes, she explained that the goal was to make the courses more engaging and more interactive.

This included adding a range of eBooks, activities, informative videos, and forums to start discussions.

“We have also introduced assessment guides to ensure students have more understanding of what they can expect in the assessment and hopefully ensure a more successful outcome,” she said.

“We are also wanting to make sure that we use the improvement in online learning tools to further cover all learning styles with the new improvements as everyone learns in different ways,” Lynelle added.

Additionally, the Study From Home team has been busy creating interactive video lessons for each topic. These have been created to give students an understanding of what they will learn, why they are learning it, and how it will relate to working in the industry.

Added one-on-one support

As well as changes and updates to the platform itself, the tutorial team at Study From Home have been providing a lot more one-on-one support for students.

“We have recognised that each student is different and so that sometimes there does need to be some more ‘tailored support’ for some students, while others may be happy to just get on with it. So what we have done is engage in more conversations with the students to ensure they are supported every step of the way. From this we have had good results coming through and good feedback,” explains Lynelle.

The Study From Home platform is definitely “not a box of books in the mail”, or a case of reading through a dull website and answering questions.

“I think this is what makes us different from the other course providers, and the students really appreciate it,” says Lynelle.

The result of the recent platform updates

Lynelle goes on to explain exactly what kind of an impact these changes have had on students.

“We can definitely see them engaging more with the course work and the tutors. And as a result we have gotten to know our students more. This is really important to us as we can then recognise any challenges they may have and work with them to ensure they achieve their goals. This again is where ITC stands out from others as we are flexible.”

With the challenges of the past year, Study From Home has been able to be flexible with students and courses to ensure the best results. That might mean doing courses slightly out of order, doing them at different times, or moving between full and part time – whatever the case, Study From Home can help.

Get in touch today to find out more about distance learning with Study From Home.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Is Study From Home right for you?

Not sure if Study From Home is right for you? Here’s how you can find out!

Study From Home is a fantastic option for earning a qualification in travel and tourism from home.

Our distance learning courses offer qualifications at level three, four, and five, and are recognised here in New Zealand and around the world. For many students, studying with us is covered under the Fees Free Initiative, and even better, students can enrol and start learning at any point during the year – there are no fixed start dates!

All that said, it can still be hard to tell if a college is right for you specifically. So we’ve compiled a list of the kinds of people who get the most out of our online platform and incredible courses.

Do you see yourself in this list?

You’re interested in travel and tourism

Do you love watching people setting off on a travel adventure and wondering what they are going to do? Are you the person in your friend group who’s always planning trips and finding the best places to visit? Do you love the hustle and bustle of a busy hotel with people coming and going from all walks of life?

A natural interest in travel in tourism is all you need to get started in an industry you’ll love. It’s one thing to watch it from the outside, but it’s truly something else to get up and spend every day working in such an exciting industry.

Are you working but looking to upskill or switch careers?

Study From Home is perfect for those who are already working and can’t take the time off to go back to college full time.

With our courses, you can study part time during your evenings and weekends. We offer a huge amount of flexibility with our qualifications, so you can maintain your regular job while earning a valuable skillset on the side that will help you make your next career move.

Do you want to spend your time travelling instead of studying?

Why not both?

We totally understand that passion for travel, and the desire to explore before doing anything else. But we also know that you can earn a qualification or two in the travel industry while you’re travelling. Just check out our recent interview with a graduate who did exactly that.

The Study From Home courses allow you to study anywhere at any time, so you can definitely tick off that travel bucket list while you work towards a qualification.

You want to study but can’t move cities

New Zealand has plenty of fantastic colleges and universities, but they largely based in cities and towns, which isn’t always easy if you can’t (or don’t want to!) move to study.

When you choose Study From Home, you don’t even need to leave your living room to earn your qualification. Make yourself comfortable in your home office, on the couch, or even in bed, and study wherever suits you best.

Save your money on travelling to and from college or paying rent to study in a major city, and instead use it to go on an adventure, discover our beautiful country and gain qualifications all at the same time!

You’re looking to get back into the workforce

Due to illness, injury, having kids, or any of the other things that can pop up in life, many people take a break from the workforce. You don’t need to have to explain your situation with Study From Home, you just need to get your work done at your own pace.

If you don’t know where to start in getting back into the swing of things, earning a qualification at home can be the perfect place to begin. This will set you up with skills and knowledge to work in countless roles around New Zealand.

Do you tick one of these boxes?

People enrol at Study From Home for all sorts of reasons. Whether you see yourself in the list above or have your own reason, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today to find out more, enrol, and get started!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Meet the graduate who explored New Zealand while earning a valuable travel and tourism qualification

Rhiannon Cribb earned her qualifications in travel – while travelling!

When you earn your travel and tourism qualification with Study From Home, you have a large amount of flexibility.

Some students work part time, some have family at home to look after, and some simply enjoy the freedom of being able to learn while sitting comfortably on the couch in their PJs! And for some, it’s an opportunity not just to learn about travel and tourism, but to experience it at the same time.

That’s what Rhiannon Cribb, a Study From Home level 3 student, did during her studies. Here’s a little more about her experience with us, including studying during a pandemic, her goals for the future, and her great advice for anyone considering the industry for themselves.

Rhiannon’s story

I began studying with ITC at the beginning of 2020, and although 2020 didn’t go how we all wished It went, ITC made studying through a pandemic, easy.

I decided to study travel and tourism when I began intermediate and took my first international flight across the ditch to Australia with my family. Going through the airport and boarding the plane, seeing all the flight attendants dressed and groomed so perfectly made me so excited to study travel and tourism and one day become a flight attendant.

I decided to study online with ITC because I had gained the “travel bug” and wanted to work as much as possible to save my money and take all the holidays I wanted in 2020. Although internationally It didn’t happen, I was able to explore our own country, New Zealand. This was made possible because I was studying online and could get my work done in my own time, while on holiday. Because of ITC’s option to study online, I have been able to visit so many awesome, new places, that I would never have had the time or money to do, If I didn’t decide to study online.

The travel industry has been hugely impacted due to Covid-19 and I’m so thankful that I was given the opportunity to study travel and tourism and gain more knowledge to prefer myself for my future job as a flight attendant as I knew a job as a flight attendant wasn’t possible at the time.

If you are thinking of studying travel and tourism from home but still unsure of it, do It! You will get to spend more time with family and friends (which we all know we didn’t get enough of in 2020!) and more time to do more of what you love, whether that be travel, sport or just having some alone time.

Get in touch with Study From Home, because you can start any time – even right now!

Keen to enjoy the flexibility of distance learning so you can use your spare time to explore like Rhiannon did? Study From Home is accepting enrolments right now, and you can begin your courses whenever it suits you. Get in touch to learn more today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

It’s no joke! You can still enrol for our 2021 Business in Tourism Diploma

It’s not too late to enrol in Study From Home’s two-year Business in Tourism Diploma!

It might be April 1 tomorrow, but we’re not kidding around – we’re still accepting enrolments for our two-year Business in Tourism Diploma.

You can start courses with Study From Home whenever you’re ready, so you can enrol now and earn yourself a fantastic qualification that will be recognised by tourism and travel operators here in New Zealand and around the world.

Here’s a little more about what diploma involves and how you can enrol to kick-start your career in tourism.

What do you learn during the Business in Tourism Diploma?

Our two-year Business in Tourism Diploma brings together five of our top qualifications and certificates, which means you earn a range of skills that will serve you throughout your career.

These courses are:

• New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3 – with a strand in Tourism and Travel
• New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4
• New Zealand Diploma in Tourism Level 5
• ITC Amadeus Reservations Certificate
• ITC Cabin Crew Online Certificate

Generally speaking, your first year of study will cover the practical skills you will need to enter the industry. This includes role playing for customer service, travel documentation requirements, and much more.

In the second year, the focus is more on theory. This is the time to learn about areas such as marketing, human resources, and management, as well as the important topic of sustainability in tourism.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have all the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to enter the workforce either here in New Zealand or overseas. Tourism operators will always need skilled and qualified staff, so you’ll have a leg up over those who have never studied for the role.

Sign me up! How do I enrol for the Business in Tourism Diploma?

You can enrol for the Business in Tourism Diploma today!

To apply, simply visit our enrolment page and fill out the Enrolment Form. You can either completely sign up online, or find out more by booking an info session where you’ll have the chance to ask any questions you might have and even visit campus for a look around.

You can also get in touch at any time for a chat about the Business in Tourism Diploma or any of our other study options. We look forward to hearing from you!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Study From Home opens free trial portal – Try it now!

The Study From Home free trial portal is open! Try it now and find out if Study From Home is for you.

Study From Home offers students the chance to earn internationally recognised qualifications in the travel, tourism, and aviation industries, all while studying online.

For those who are considering enrolling this year, you can now see what Study From Home is all about by doing a quick trial run, completely free!

This will allow you to try Study From Home to see if the learning style will suit your needs, and to show you how you can gain your qualifications through distance learning.

Here’s a little more about the new portal, how to use it, and why you should give it a try!

Getting started with the Study From Home free trial

Anyone with a smartphone, tablet, or computer can do the Study From Home trial. You can do it via the portal here, or the Moodle app.

• Click the ‘Start FREE Trial’ button below
• Let us know your first and last name
• We will create a log-in for you within 24 hours
• You start your FREE trial
• Your log-in details will be valid for 7 days

All you need to do is let us know your first and last name, plus your email address, so we can create a short-term log-in details for you. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours with those details so you can get started.

Your log-in details will be valid for 7 days, so you’ll have a week to jump online and check it out.

We recommend using a computer or laptop for the trial, as Study From Home students will use one or the other for their actual courses. Assessments include typing, which is much easier when you have a keyboard! That said, you can easily view the course via mobile if you’re just looking to take a peek.

The whole thing won’t take more than an hour or so, and you can always log back in (within the seven days) to take another look, or even show family and friends.

How does it work?

Once you have your log-in details, you can head to the portal and access ‘Your first step course’. You’ll see this on the Dashboard under the Course Overview section.

Click on the course, and take a look around.

You can start at the top with the section titled ‘Dream Holiday Destination’. This is a chance to see how we communicate with the group during the course. You can create your own discussion topic or respond to other topics. We use this to discuss ideas, ask questions, and more.

You might also check out the section titled ‘The Tourism Industry Needs You!’. This is a quick video followed by a quiz, which will give you an idea of how we run short quizzes for Study From Home learners.

Make your way through each of the sections to see just how it all works at Study From Home. In the final section (Your Next Step…), you can get in touch or book a phone chat to talk more about what we offer – or even get started with your enrolment!

Why should you give the Study From Home free trial a go?

If you have any interest in working in travel or tourism, you have every reason to do the free trial!

“On day one of us putting this trial on our website, students have already said they are interested in giving the free trial a go as they are keen to potentially get back into study and get some new qualifications. We think this free trial is the perfect way for our potential students to do just that,” says Marketing Manager Mel.

Whether you have never studied before or are looking to upskill with a level 4 certificate or a level 5 diploma, Study From Home could be the right option for you. You can complete our courses part-time while you maintain a full-time job, or you can study full time and earn your qualifications as quickly as possible.

Not to mention, the trial is free to do, quick, and easy! More than anything, it shows how studying online with Study From Home is so much more than just reading endless textbooks or writing essays. Our courses are engaging and interactive, with a variety of activities and resources, as well as friendly, helpful tutors who can guide you through your qualifications.

Ready to get started? Drop us a line with your full name and email address and we’ll get back to you with log-in details ASAP!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Education through hardship: How one student completed her qualifications against the odds

Despite major challenges, graduate Jessica Collingwood completed her qualifications with ITC and Study From Home.

We often catch up with past students and graduates. We love hearing about how they’re going in the industry, and seeing their updates as they move into dream jobs meeting people, travelling, and learning.

But not all stories are about study then work.

Recently, we spoke to recent student Jessica Collingwood, and learned about how our famed flexible learning options weren’t just convenient, but made it possible for Jessica to graduate.

Her story shows how much ITC is here to help. We don’t set restrictions like so many education providers, but rather offer flexible alternatives for study, from our multiple campuses and online learning options, to part-time and full-time courses and four-day study week.

Our students are so much more than just a filled seat in a classroom or another name on an enrolment list, and we care about what happens both during and after the learning takes place.

Jessica Collingwood’s experience with ITC and Study From Home

“I studied at ITC doing the Level 4 Tourism certificate at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020.

Unfortunately, as I started at ITC my health turned for the worse, I was so committed to getting my certificate that I pushed myself to go to class even when I was clearly too unwell to be there. It then just got to the point where it was becoming impossible and I started missing so many classes. I was in and out of hospital a lot.

ITC were amazing and very accommodating. They suggested I change to ITC online (Study From Home). This was the best decision for me at the time. I did not want to give up.

I managed to continue studying while being unwell and I managed to finish and get my certificate. Then the pandemic hit and of course I had all those worries about getting my dream job as travel agent.

I decided it was a good time to get myself well again, spend quality time with family and explore our beautiful country.

I am now starting the process of looking for work again but I am focusing on getting some more experience behind me in jobs that will help me in the near future when the tourism industry picks up and travel agency jobs become available.

I will use this time to build on my strengths and learn new things. I know that when Covid sorts itself out and those borders open, the tourism industry will be booming and there will be so many jobs available. Over the last year New Zealand has become more recognised throughout the world during the pandemic and people are so eager to come and see our beautiful country.

If you enjoy tourism and want a career in the industry, then go for it!

To anyone wishing to take the leap into tourism; I would say use this time to study and get experience in jobs that will help you in some way or another for your future career. Let’s be ready for our tourism industry to busier than ever.”

Do you feel like distance learning could be for you? Get in touch with Study From Home to find out more about our flexible learning options and the qualifications you can earn by studying online.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Study From Home’s new quick and easy online enrolment process

Enrolling with Study From Home is easier than ever with our new online enrolment option.

The Study From Home enrolment process has always been easy, but it has just got even easier.

We know that finding the time and getting around to making that call to enrol isn’t as easy or convenient as it could be, which is why we have just made it even easier.

Here’s a little more about the new process.

The new Study From Home enrolment process

The enrolment process at Study From Home is largely the same, with one key difference.

Usually, an interested student would get in touch to book an info session, fill out an entry profile, attend the info session, then fill out the paperwork.

Now, students can simply complete their enrolment online. Once you have filled out the enrolment form, our staff will be in touch to finish the process with you.

This means you don’t have to call or come in for an info session if that’s too difficult or time consuming – or if you already know you want to enrol and just want to get started!

Can I still come in for an info session?

An info session on site at your nearest campus is a big part of the enrolment process, so we still highly recommend that you come in and check us out!

An info session is your chance to take a look around, meet our wonderful Study From Home staff, and ask plenty of questions as we give you all the information you need to make your decision about where to enrol.

If you’re unable to make the trip but still want all the information you’d get from an info session, don’t hesitate to drop us a line or give us a call.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

How to make time for studying

With the study year underway, we share our top tips for making time for studying.

As we get back into the rhythm of education and study, it’s time to get back into good study habits as well.

Sometimes, it can feel like there simply isn’t enough time in the day, but the trick is really to make time. Set it aside and stick to it so you can stay on top of your studies and graduate this year ready to kick-start a career in travel, tourism, or aviation (or any industry!).

Here are our top tips for making time for study this year.

Spend a week counting your media time

Media, from television series and movies to podcasts, social media, and YouTube, are all fun ways to pass the time. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying watching your favourite shows or re-watching Harry Potter movies for the 100^th time, but it might surprise you just how much time all of that really takes.

For one week, make note of how much time you spend watching shows, scrolling Instagram, or watching TikToks. At the end of the week, use the result to set a new goal.

For example, if you spent 30 hours consuming media this week, aim to cut that down to 15 hours next week. 15 hours is still plenty of time to relax and enjoy your favourite shows, but you will have saved 15 hours that you can spend studying instead!

Don’t try to do it all at once

You might look at your usual schedule and think that the only time you can study is on Sunday evenings.

Sunday is a great time to study, but you can’t expect to complete a full week of study within one sitting. There’s too much information to cover all in one go, and it’s more likely that you’ll feel overwhelmed and burnt out than up to date with your study.

Instead, break up your study into lots of time throughout the week. An hour or two here and there, a longer session on Sundays, and perhaps a regular time slot every weekday evening – breaking it up is a much more realistic approach and will help to ensure you don’t feel too overloaded.

Treat it like a job

When you have a job, you make sacrifices for it. You get a good night’s rest before a morning shift, you set an alarm and get up early for it, you turn down the offer of grabbing a coffee with a friend when you’re due to work (but reschedule the coffee for when you are free!).

If you think of your studies as a job, you’ll have an easier time making study a priority, rather than a last choice for how to spend your time. Once you have set your study hours, turn up on time just as you would with a job, and you’ll quickly get on top of your education.

Give yourself breaks

It might sound counterintuitive, but giving yourself regular breaks as you study can help you to get the most out of your study time.

After one hour of study, reward yourself with a quick walk, reading a chapter of your book, a YouTube video, or 15 minutes chatting with a friend. These breaks will give your brain a rest and ensure you’re refreshed and ready to go when you get back to your studies, so you can spend that time as productively as possible and get through your work faster.

Reward yourself

If you find that you can never get much done without some kind of reward at the end – so be it.

A reward could be anything from a delicious snack to time spent gaming or even a nap. When you know there’s a reward waiting for you at the end of your study session (even if it’s a small one), that might help to give you the incentive you need to sit down and get the work done.

Feeling inspired and ready to study for the career of your dreams? Study From Home allows you to work towards an industry-recognised qualification from anywhere in New Zealand in your own time, and you can get started whenever it suits you.

Get in touch to find out more.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

The most frequently asked questions about Study From Home

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Study From Home – and the answers!

Study From Home is a wonderful option for distance learning in New Zealand. We offer courses on travel, tourism, and aviation that provide the skills, knowledge, and qualifications you’ll need to work in the industry both here in New Zealand and around the world.

Our course options cover levels 3, 4, and 5, and all of them can be completed online, allowing students to sign up no matter where they are located in the country.

Naturally, if you’re considering signing up with Study From Home, you might have questions about the courses, the commitment, the work, and everything in between. That’s why we’ve collated a list of our most frequently asked questions and have answered them for you here.

If you can’t find your question below, don’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact page, or send us a message via Facebook. There are no stupid questions, so get in touch!

Can I enrol with Study From Home if I have a full-time job?

Yes! You can choose to study part-time or full-time with Study From Home, so if you already have a full-time job, you can study with us part-time as well. You will be expected to commit to 15 hours per week of study, which you can do during the evenings and weekends whenever suits you.

Do I have to log on at a particular time?

No. SFH is completely flexible in the fact that you set your own timetable for when you want to study. It is a course that is completely tailored to the individual student around their study times.

Are all my assessments essays?

No. Study From Home incorporates many assessment styles to ensure students are tested in ways that actually relate to the jobs in the industry. There is a mixture of written assessments, roleplays both via phone and video, online quiz assessments, and group Zoom assessments.

Is there any tutor help?

Definitely. There is a team of dedicated tutors available online, via email and phone Monday to Friday. All have industry experience and can draw upon their own work and knowledge.

How many hours a week do I need to study?

Study hours are based on your type of enrolment. Study From Home offers both part time and full time study options, and hours will range from 15-25 hours a week.

What happens if I don’t have a computer?

You absolutely must have your own personal laptop or computer before you enrol. If you currently share one with the family, you will need to ensure you obtain a laptop or computer of your own. This is because you will need to use it regularly for your studies.

I am worried I will fail.

The tutor team is here to help. You won’t fail – you will be given an opportunity to gain further understanding with tutorial explanations and guidance.

I have fallen behind.

The tutors will work with you to catch you up and get you back on track.

Can I do more studies than required and set out each week?

Yes. Once you are enrolled, you will have full access to the course page so you can move through quicker than is set out in your individualised study plan if you prefer.

I can’t start yet as I am going on holiday for a week.

Awesome news you are going away! We can get you a little ahead of schedule before you go away so you don’t fall behind when you return.

I know I love travel and tourism but don’t know what job I want to do. Can I still do the course?

Definitely! Lots of people are not 100% certain of what they want to do in the industry but know that this is an industry that excites them. While on the course you will find yourself exposed to the many different jobs in the industry, which will help you decide along the way. You will also realise that your qualification means you won’t only have a qualification for one job, but for the whole industry. Your skills will be able to be transferred to other areas of the industry.

The industry is non-existent at the moment so I probably won’t get a job.

Not true. While our borders remain closed into New Zealand, New Zealand’s domestic tourism market has never been busier! ITC has two career consultants that work with you to help you gain employment in the industry. We are also very lucky to have such close relationships within the industry, so tourism providers often come to us directly looking for graduates from ITC to join their teams.

I never studied travel or tourism at school, does this mean I can’t study it now?

You most definitely can. It is not a pre-requisite to have studied it before.

On what dates do Study From Home courses start throughout the year?

Study From Home offers ‘rolling start dates’ for maximum student flexibility and convenience. This means that students can begin their course on any Monday throughout the year.

Where are you located?

Study From Home is online, but our sister company, the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has locations in centres throughout the country, so you can visit a campus at any time if you wish to speak to a tutor in person. You’ll find our campus locations here.

How do I enrol?

Enrolment with Study From Home is a straight-forward process. Start by getting in touch with us to let us know you’re interested, then fill out the entry profile we send you. We’ll set up an information session where you can ask any questions and we’ll talk you through our course options and how it all works, then we’ll confirm your place. You can read more about the full Study From Home enrolment process here.

 How much does Study From Home cost?

Different Study From Home courses have different fees. You can find the costs for each one by visiting our Course Overview page, then clicking the ‘Find out more’ button for each page. The costs are at the bottom right of the page under ‘course fees’.

 How do I find my NSN number?

Study From Home is an affiliated Fees Free provider, which means that our courses are covered by the Fees Free initiative. To find out if you are eligible for the Fees Free initiative, you will need to enter your National Student Number (NSN) into the Fees Free website. If you are unsure about your NSN number, you can either ask your current school, or contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to track it down.

If you’re ready to enrol or have any further questions for us, use the details below to get in touch.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

How to enrol with Study From Home

Looking to enrol with Study From Home? Here’s how it all works!

It’s the end of the year, which is an exciting time when we can look ahead and consider what’s in store for 2021. For many students leaving high school, and for many adult learners looking to get back into study or retrain, that might mean enrolling with Study From Home.

If you’ve taken a look at the wonderful training and opportunities Study From Home offers, now’s the time to begin the enrolment process.

Here’s how it all works!

Get in touch

To get started, simply get in touch. You can call us directly for free on 0800 868 747 or reach out on our contact page.

You’re welcome to ask questions at any point, but the main purpose of this initial stage is to set up an Information Session where we can run you through the course information, how Study From Home Works, and everything else you’ll need to know about studying with us.

We’ll arrange a time for a call that suits you, and I’ll send you an Entry Profile link.

Fill in the Entry Profile

An Entry Profile is a set of questions we ask of all of our prospective students. This lets us know a little more about you, such as your current skillsets, work history, and study history.

This is definitely not a test of any kind, and you can do it from home at your own pace. We do ask that you complete this profile prior to your Information Session, as it lets us tailor the session to your needs and interests, and saves time in the session itself.

Take your Information Session

An Information Session is your chance to ask all the questions you’re curious about, and chat to a Course Advisor who can talk you through all of the options available to Study From Home students.

You’re welcome to have a parent or two on the call with you if they have questions or would like to hear more about the course, and you can expect this session to last 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many questions you have!

We’ll cover the length of the courses, how many units each one is worth, and what your day-to-day study schedule might be like that you would need to do from home. We’ll chat about the great opportunities that will be available to you with our qualifications, and about the support we offer our students long after they graduate.

For example, as a Study From Home student, you’ll do a minimum of 15 hours of study each week. You’ll also have dedicated tutors who will support you every step of the way, so you won’t feel alone in your work.

Assessments can take place over the phone and as role plays with tutors, so it won’t all be paper-based, either. However, you must have your own laptop or computer to enrol (rather than a shared family computer, for example).

If you would prefer to attend an Information Session in person and are able to visit one of our International Travel College campuses, you’d be more than welcome to do that instead.

And of course, this Information Session does not mean you are obliged to enrol. You can take your time and consider your options before taking the next step.

We confirm your place with Study From Home

Within 48 hours following your Information Session, we’ll let you know if you have a place with Study From Home.

Once your spot is confirmed, we’ll send you the official paperwork. This will include a confirmation letter, an invoice for the fees, and some quick paperwork for you to fill out.

Keep in mind, Study From Home is part of the Fees Free initiative, so many students can study with us for free. If you are not eligible, we can help you apply for a Study Link loan to cover the costs.

What happens if you don’t have enough level 2 credits?

The courses available with Study From Home cover levels 3, 4, and 5, which means that you must have passed level 2 in high school. If you haven’t reached that mark, there are still options available to you.

For example, we can refer you to Target, a New Zealand organisation that offers free courses that can help to bridge the gap and gain your NCEA levels so you can enrol with SFH.

If you are not far away from passing level 2, be sure to get in touch for a chat. For 2020 students in particular, we understand it has been a difficult year for everyone, and we’d love to work with you to help you study with us.

What happens after Study From Home?

 The biggest reason anyone signs up with Study From Home is for the wonderful career opportunities it brings.

The skills you learn are highly transferable, and will be in high demand both here and overseas by the time you graduate. We have numerous close contacts in the local tourism industry, and our graduates have become highly regarded across New Zealand, which is why they are often snapped up soon after graduation.

Here’s just one of our wonderful reviews from recent Study From Home graduate, Bria Walsh, who is currently working as a full-time receptionist at a 4-star hotel/motel on the West Coast:

“Studying whilst being able to work Full Time is definitely challenging, although knowing the outcome I’ll receive becomes very motivating to either research towards or answer at least one question a day. Being able to Study From Home is very relaxing as you don’t need to study set times of the day, you are able to study in your free time.”

We also offer ongoing career support after you graduate, and we stay in touch with our students for years after you leave. If you have any further questions or are ready to enrol, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

How to Study From Home for FREE

The Fees Free initiative allows many students to enrol with Study From Home for free.

Did you know that you can enrol with the International Travel College (ITC), and complete your course with distance learning for free?

The New Zealand Fees Free initiative allows many students to study for free, even if it’s been a while since you left school, or if you are distance learning with Study From Home.

Here’s a little more about the initiative, which courses you can enrol in with Study From Home, and how to claim your free study!

What is the Fees Free initiative?

The Fees Free initiative is a relatively new New Zealand government scheme that allows students to study for free for one year, or claim two years of free training.

This means that the government will pay your tuition costs for a year, greatly reducing the cost of study for some students, and completely covering it for others.

Am I eligible to study for free with the Fees Free initiative?  

Many students are surprised to learn that they are eligible for the Fees Free initiative as they might have left school years ago, or are planning to study from home instead of at a college or university.

It is likely that you are eligible for Fees Free if this will be your first year of tertiary study after high school, regardless of when you left high school. Also, there aren’t any age limits on the initiative, so it’s ideal for those looking to return to study.

There are certain restrictions around where you can study, as not all training institutions are included in the initiative. The good news is that ITC is an affiliated provider, so courses – even if you choose Study From Home – are part of the initiative.

Keep in mind that Fees Free also only applies to Level 3 study and above, which is essentially any post-secondary school programme.

You can learn more about the Fees Free eligibility criteria on the official website here.

Study From Home with the Fees Free initiative

There are numerous courses available with ITC via Study From Home that you can take for free.

These include:

• New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism and Travel Level 3
• New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation Level 3
• New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4
• New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel Level 5

All of these courses are Level 3 or above, meaning they are all eligible for the Fees Free initiative. Importantly, they all also offer important skills and knowledge for students looking to find careers in the travel, tourism, and aviation industries.

If you do find that you are not eligible to apply for the Fees Free initiative, keep in mind that you can still study with us. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is more than happy to help you apply for a StudyLink loan that can lend you the funds to take the course of your choosing and invest in your future.

What our Study From Home tutors think of the Fees Free initiative

We asked Lynelle Panton, one of our wonderful Study From Home tutors, what she thought about the initiative and how it helps distance learning students.

“Many people would love to study, but for various reasons such as family commitments or work, they simply can’t. Study From Home allows these people who can’t attend on-campus courses the ability to achieve their goals of furthering their education in an industry they are passionate about. We have now been able to tie this in with Fees Free to allow students to gain their qualification and start out in their chosen career without having a huge debt behind them.”

“This is such a huge opportunity for anyone who wants to study but couldn’t,” she explained.

How to apply for Fees Free study

Applying for Fees Free study is a simple process.

All you need to do is first check that you are eligible for the initiative by visiting the Fees Free website and entering your National Student Number (NSN). This will immediately tell you whether or not you are eligible.

If you are eligible, you simply apply to Study From Home as you would normally (by getting in touch!), and the Tertiary Education Commission will let us know that your fees will be covered, and will pay us directly for the course.

Should you have any questions at all, or if you have checked your eligibility and are ready to apply for an exciting distance learning course from Study From Home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Study From Home success: We speak to one of the first students completing the level 5 Diploma in Tourism & Travel online

Marise Barrett is one of the first students to complete the level 5 Diploma in Tourism & Travel online.

Study From Home recently started offering the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel at level 5 on our popular Study From Home platform. It is an intensive one-year diploma that offers students the skills and knowledge they need for a general management career in the industry.

While students of ITC have been able to study this diploma for more than 15 years, it is new to Study From Home, and we have been keeping a close eye on the first group of students to work their way through this fast-paced and challenging course.

One of those students is Marise Barrett, who is currently working her way through the diploma. She has already completed the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism (Level 3) and the New Zealand Certificate in Travel (Level 4), and already has experience working in the industry.

We recently spoke to her to see how she was finding the diploma and the experience of studying from home. (more…)

How to make studying from home fun

Struggling to find the motivation to study from home? Read our three tips to help find the fun in learning.

We share a lot of study tips on this blog. From the best snacks to eat to stay focused, to how to study in summer when the beach is calling your name, we’re dedicated to helping you ace your travel and tourism assignments.

But all of our tips might be worthless if you don’t find any enjoyment in studying. Sure, there’s no avoiding some tedious tasks, but there are ways you can learn to love learning – you just need to think outside of the box.

Here are three tips to help make studying from home fun, so that it becomes less of a chore and more of a passion.

1. Invest in fun stationery

Studying is the perfect excuse to buy cute stationery (as if you needed another one!). Swap boring plain lined paper for a sketch pad, journal or even a whiteboard – whatever works for you. Also, try to use plenty of colour. Think bright felt tip pens and post-it notes. The aim of this is to help get your creative juices flowing. Not only will this make studying more fun, it’ll also encourage you to think creatively about what you’re learning.

2. Find real-world examples

Many people find study boring because they can’t connect what they’re learning on paper to what happens in the real world. Where possible, look for ways to experience what you’re learning first-hand. For example, if you are learning about what it’s like to work at the airport, why not visit your nearest airport for lunch and observe your surroundings? Or if you are learning about customer service, see if you can do some work experience at a local tourism operator.

3. Create a study playlist

Some people find music distracting when studying – if this is you, move right along to the next tip. But if you love bopping along to the beat while you learn, turn up the tunes and enjoy! Create a new study playlist every week as motivation to hit the books. Songs without words are best as they aren’t so distracting, but listen to whatever works for you.

How to study in summer when the beach is calling your name

Trying to study but all you can think about is the beach? See our tips below for how to stay focused on beautiful summer days.

Studying from home during the warm summer months can be tough. Beautiful blue sky days probably have you dreaming about the beach. It can be tempting to ignore your assignments, pack a picnic and head to the water for a day of sunbathing and swimming.

While trading study for the beach sounds amazing (let’s be honest – we’d all rather be on holiday all summer!), we’re here to help you stay motivated. Here’s how to stay focused during summer, no matter how loudly the beach is calling your name.

Take your books outside

Staying inside on a beautiful day often feels plain wrong – as if you are wasting perfectly good weather. There’s only one way to beat this: take your study stuff outside. Do some reading in your garden, at a nearby park or even outside at a local café. Just be sure to wear sunscreen and sit in the shade where possible. While we wouldn’t recommend studying outside all day, every day, a few hours in the fresh air will help you stay focused and give your soul a much needed dose of nature.

Study in the mornings and evenings

Here’s a genius idea: if you start studying at dawn and study for a few hours after dinner, then you could spend the middle of the day at the beach! This plan only works if you’re disciplined and stick to your new schedule (we’re talking 5am wake-up calls). But, if you think you could totally squeeze in study around your beach outing, then by all means – give it a whirl. There’s nothing nicer than having the beach all to yourself while everyone else is in class or at work.

Buy a fan or study at an air conditioned library

One of the hardest parts about studying from home in summer is staying cool – literally. Unlike classrooms, most homes don’t come with air conditioning. If your house resembles an oven, it’s a good idea to invest in a fan. This will do wonders for your energy levels! Another good idea is to study at the library. These quiet, air conditioned spaces will help you stay focused even on the hottest of days.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Including a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet is important all year round, but it’s especially helpful when you’re trying to stay focused in the summer heat. Nothing will put you to sleep faster than a carb-heavy hot meal! Instead of digging into porridge for breakfast and pasta for lunch, try to eat lighter meals such as smoothies and salads. Veggie-packed meals will leave you feeling healthy and energised.

Make the most of your time off

Everyone needs a break every now and then. Next time you have a few hours to yourself, don’t waste them inside watching reruns of Friends. Instead, head straight to the beach to get your fix. Summer is often over before we know it, so be sure to make the most of every bit of downtime you have.

Happy studying!

Five reasons why it’s never too late to start studying

Don’t let time pass you by. It’s never too late to start studying towards your dream career.

“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.” – Paulo Coelho

Today, many young people are encouraged to pursue higher education once they finish secondary school – but this wasn’t always the case. Earlier generations often embarked on a different path in life, such as going straight into the workforce or having children. They may have sacrificed studying in order to follow a different dream.

If this sounds like you, you may sometimes find yourself wondering what life would have been like if you had chosen to study your passion. Well, maybe it’s time to stop wondering and give further education a try. Thanks to distance learning, it’s now easier than ever to make studying part of your life.

Here are five reasons why it’s never too late to start studying.

1. Life experience will make you a better student

Some mature students worry they won’t be able to keep up with their younger counterparts. In fact, the opposite is often true! Your life experience will likely give you an edge over other students. You’ll be able to bring real-world experience to the table, and may even act as a mentor or role model.

2. You might have more financial stability

Those who start studying later in life can often afford to pay for some of their courses upfront, hereby reducing financial pressure. Although pursuing a new career path is always daunting, you’ll have peace of mind that you have other experience and jobs to fall back on if needed.

3. There are many flexible study options available

Education has adapted to the digital world, meaning you can now study many courses from home, in your own time, at your own pace! This provides you with the freedom to juggle several commitments, such as part-time work and childcare. Study From Home graduate Rebekah Linton has some great tips for balancing work and study.

4. You’ll be a role model for your children

If you have children, you might be worried that returning to study will leave them feeling neglected. In reality, they will probably admire your motivation. You’ll lead by example and show them it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Who knows, you might even inspire them to study too! This happened to one Study From Home graduate; mum Robyn Hicks studied travel and tourism and now both of her daughters are following in her footsteps.

5. Personal fulfilment will make you happier

There’s nothing quite as wonderful as the sense of achievement you feel when you graduate. Studying is not easy; it takes a lot of hard work and commitment. But the light at the end of the tunnel is increased personal fulfilment and overall happiness. You’ll never regret taking steps to follow your dreams.

A family affair: ITC graduate inspires daughters to study tourism

Robyn Hicks and daughters Chelsea and Katharine studied tourism with ITC via distance learning.

Passion for travel and tourism runs strong in the Hicks family. When mum Robyn enrolled in a course at the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC), little did she know she would soon inspire her daughters to do the same.

Fast forward a few years, and now Robyn’s two daughters, Chelsea and Katharine, are both well on their way to completing the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3 through ITC’s distance learning arm, Study From Home.

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Five minutes with Study From Home student Rebekah Linton

Study From Home student Rebekah Linton is studying towards becoming a travel agent. This is a picture of her from a recent trip to Disney World

What is it like to Study From Home? We caught up with current student Rebekah Linton to find out how her distance learning experience is going.

What sparked your interest in travel and tourism?

Travelling has always been something I have loved to do, as I like visiting new places and learning about new cultures. I’m also a real foodie and love to try out local dishes of the places I visit.

Ever since I was young I was lucky enough to be able to do a fair bit of travelling with my family. I would often go on trips around NZ with my grandparents during the school holidays, and I would usually go on some sort of overseas destination with my parents once a year such as Australia or Vanuatu. I’ve also done Camp America for two years – I spent 3 months at a time working in a summer camp in Maine and Connecticut.

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The top three benefits of distance learning

One of the best things about distance learning is the ability to study from anywhere. Study from home one day, work in a cafe the next – the choice is yours.

What makes distance learning such a great choice? Here are the top three benefits of studying from home.

1. Flexibility

Don’t want to come to class every day? More of a night owl than a morning person? Wish you could just write your assignments at home in your pajamas? Distance learning offers this level of flexibility, allowing you to choose when you want to study, and where.

As long as you put in the required number of hours of study per week, you are free to manage your time as you see fit. And if that means working from the comfort of your couch next to your cat, who are we to judge?

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Is studying from home right for you?

ITC’s Study From Home option suits many people from different circumstances. Read on to find out if it could be an option for you

Studying from home, otherwise known as online learning or distance learning, is an excellent option for people who want a great qualification but cannot attend regular on-campus classes.

At the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC), we offer the option to study four excellent courses from home. That means you can gain an airline, travel and tourism qualification from anywhere in New Zealand!

Are you thinking about studying from home, but are unsure if this is the right decision for you?

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