Student Experience for a Tourism Customer Services student

Week 1

Wow…what a week! First two days we had orientation and learned all about the journey we will be taking this year….really looking forward to the teamwork activities, class trip and industry guest speakers. Day two we were officially welcomed at the amazing MIT marae, what an experience. For a tourism student, participating in a powhiri is a fantastic way to understand how our overseas visitors might view this experience.

The first week is GO WEEK and MIT have amazing activities every lunch time - competitions, entertainment - even great bands.

Week 2

We have met all our lecturers and started to get to know each other. Our lecturers all have come from the industry so they know what they are on about. Our class is really multi cultural which is fantastic as we can all learn from each other and be better employees in the tourism industry. The class isn't too big either and already the lecturers know our names.

We've had a few laughs with the introductory games and exercises and are now getting down to learning about the business of Tourism. Love all the new workbooks provided and our lockers right there make it easy to have all the right stuff for classes.

Week 3

We have already completed a couple of units and have assignments to do….there is a lot of work but it's so interesting. So great to be studying for an industry we want to work in so all our classes are relevant. We all have free internet access and email accounts at MIT and we can even access our emails at home so can stay in touch with our lecturers if we are having trouble. The lecturers are really helpful and friendly too so its not too scary to ask for help.

Week 4

We've been doing some roleplays and putting together the stuff we've been learning in class. It's scary but it's the coolest way to learn. It doesn't matter if we don't get it right first time, we can have a few goes at it. The lecturers should have been actors on Shortland Street they can play so many different types of customer! It's a great way to learn. I have even been able to use what I've learnt at my part time job and it's really helping me have more confidence with customers.

Week 5

Our first guest speaker came to class today - she was an ex student who is now working at the airport. She's got the coolest job! She came in her uniform and it looks pretty professional. She had some great stories about customers. We all asked her heaps of questions. She did this course and then the Airport option to get her job and she got the job through the lecturer's recommendation. We all know that if we want to be recommended we have to give 100% and have a great attitude, but if you can get a job like that…its so worth it.

Week 6

We are going on our class trip this week! We are going to be tourists in our own city. The trip is all paid for which is cool although the lecturer said she won't be shouting us lunch LOL. We have some assignments to do this week as well so we are really busy.

Week 7

OMG the class trip was great. It was awesome to get out of the classroom and actually be a tourist for the day. You kind of look at things differently when you are studying to work in tourism. We find ourselves thinking a lot more about the service people offer and what the expectations of the tourists would be. That helps us to do better in our role play assessments which is just as well because we have a couple to do this week.

I can't believe the term is already ending ….we get a couple of weeks study break now…holidays are always cool but I reckon I am going to miss my mates and coming to class (can't believe I just said I would miss class!)

Week 9

We're back! Great to catch up with everyone and what they had done in the holidays but there is no time to waste…we have a lot of stuff to do before the end of the term. We started a couple of new subjects this week and said goodbye to some from last term. Great to get some units completed and start on some fresh ones. Can't believe in just 8 weeks the course will be finished…must start thinking about options for next semester…

This week there is the DynaMITe Cultural Explosion …students can wear traditional clothing to class, we have been learning some foreign greetings and there are some cool events on campus to celebrate diversity.

Week 10

Just found out we are having a School of Tourism and Travel Trivial Pursuits Evening. Way cool! The theme is all Kiwiana - we have to dress up and all the questions are about New Zealand. Its an inter-class competition and we are also challenging the Hospitality students. Definitely going to enter a team - they have some cool prizes too.

Week 11

The assignments are piling up. Lucky there's so much help if you are struggling. I went to the Learning Centre today and they were awesome. They helped me to prioritise my workload and gave me some great study tips. The library at MIT has a fantastic range of books and DVDs that we can use. There are also study rooms and our timetable has a scheduled time slot in a computer room which isn't for a class it's just available for us to study and use the computers which is great for making sure we get the work done. Have got my team ready for the Trivial Pursuits competition as well. Bring it on!

Week 12

The Trivial Pursuits evening was a real laugh. My team didnt win the competition but we did win the 'Best Dressed Team' prize which was some cool hats and pens from Emirates Airlines. We learned a few things too….like did you know that there was a town in NZ called Jerusalem?

Week 13

Starting to feel really confident now in dealing with all different types of customers. We have learned to deal with difficult situations like when people are angry, how to sell products and go the extra mile. The cool thing is to do all of this we used a company called SeaTours and it was like we were really working for them…we had to learn all about them as if we were really an employee. Then our role plays were based in the Sea Tours environment. Makes it so more realistic and practical. Not only are we gaining unit credits but we are learning practical skills and putting them to use.

Week 14

It's time to start thinking about my options for next semester. I know we can leave and look for work after completing this course, but so far we have covered the general skills that can be used in the industry. I want to do another 17 week programme so that I have some specific industry skills. We can choose between the Travel, Hotel and Airport options. They are having presentations this week to tell us all about the options. I'm not sure which option I would like to do yet so am definitely going to attend the information sessions.

Week 15

I've finished some units now…it sure pays off to attend all the time and use the time for study wisely…I can relax a bit more now and really focus on next semester. Some of my classmates who mucked around are now in a panic trying to finish everything!

The presentations on the options were really interesting - the travel option will give me the skills to work in a travel agency, for an airline call centre or even at the airport as they have the latest technology used by the industry. The hotel option is awesome too - you even get an overseas diploma with this course. You can work as a hotel receptionist, reservationist, guest services agent and loads of other roles - this course would be great if you want to be a flight attendant as well because they have first aid and restaurant training. There's also work experience arranged by the lecturer. The Airport option continues on from my current course but at a higher level. It covers ticketing for Air, Land and Water based transport for tourists, a more in depth study of New Zealand as a destination including flora and fauna and other stuff.
Now all I have to do is choose…..

Week 16

Making sure we've completed all our assignments and don't have any resubmission work to do. We are having a final class lunch this week and applying for our courses for next semester. A couple of the older students have got jobs at Air New Zealand and are starting in the next couple of weeks! Can't believe we are already at the end of the course and I'm going to graduate with two certificates, The MIT Certificate in Tourism Customer Services and a National Certificate as well…now that's value for money!

Week 17

Well we made it to the end….looking forward to a break from study now…we've worked hard but it has paid off for sure. The whole class are going out this weekend to celebrate the end of the course and to say goodbye to some people. Most of us though will be back next semester. Although we are not all taking the same options, we will still see each other every day. Well hope you've enjoyed reading about the journey….why not come and join us?