Name:

University: Ivy Tech Community College (Graduate)

Course: Bachelors Degree Hotel Management

Heading to: New Zealand

For how long: 12 months

Starting: July 2010

Programme: New Zealand Hospitality Internship programme

What are you most looking forward to in New Zealand?

I am looking forward to working in a new environment, and meeting new people in the industry in New Zealand. I hope to make some connections and friends that I will continue to communicate with in the future for reference and to come back and visit with my family.

What do you hope to achieve/ learn on your internship?

I hope to achieve a better learning on how the hospitality industry operates in New Zealand to help me in the future to understand different tourism systems around the world while pursing my career path in the hospitality industry.

What do you think this internship/ placement will add to your CV?

I think most of it will add international experience and knowledge what it is like to work in a new location in the pacific. Also Leadership skills, experience and will show that I am willing to travel and work for the industry I am majoring in with my degree.

Why are you travelling to New Zealand for your internship?

To gain international experience in the hospitality industry in New Zealand. . I have traveled to the pacific in the past and every since I have had a desire to work in the area since I did not want to leave. I think traveling to New Zealand will help me open up all options and availability for my degree focuses so that I will be able to move up in a management position in the near future.

How jealous do you think your friends are going to be?

How Jealous my friend are going to be, well they have already started being Jealous.  Most of my friends I talk to try to give me 101 ways why I should not go. I do not see the point of staying in America. I already know how the industry operates here I need experience outside the US and I don’t think they seem to understand that.  So far it is encouraging a lot of people in my program they would like to pursue the same path as me. My program chair has asked if back in the states after the placement if I could come speak about my experiences abroad to other students in the hospitality program.

If you’re interested in a Hospitality Internship in Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch or Queenstown, in New Zealand, check out the Hospitality Internships page for more information.

Name:

University: Arizona State University (Graduate)

Course: Bachelor of Science, Tourism Development & Management

Heading to: New Zealand

For how long: 12 months

Starting: October 2010

Programme: New Zealand Tourism Internship programme

One of the main things that I am looking forward to in New Zealand is simply the change of lifestyle and the exciting opportunity to work abroad in a place that is twenty hours ahead of where I live. I keep hearing how wonderful the quality of life is, the natural beauty, and the friendliness of the kiwi culture that has me destined to achieve this particular type of lifestyle.

I plan to continually learn and gain valuable knowledge day in and day out of my internship to achieve the necessary tools for success in hotel management. There are many thoughts, expectations, and visions that I have when I land in New Zealand that will not be answered until I am actually there. To me, this is one of the most exciting parts of the Intern Options program as I feel it is the experience of it all that will make it worthwhile!

Having said that I have international experience working in New Zealand for a year will add tremendous value to my resume/CV. As with any thriving industry, the field of tourism is becoming more competitive and having gained work experience in a foreign country has me at an advantage over the competition and I could not be any more excited!

There are a variety of different reasons as to why I decided to choose New Zealand for my internship. First and foremost, it would be New Zealand’s potential for growth of tourism, especially since the Rugby World Cup will be held in Auckland in 2011. Another important reason why I chose New Zealand is its reputation for unmatched beauty of the landscape and diverse influence of cultures around the world.

Whenever I mention to a friend that I am moving to New Zealand, I notice a sense of jealousy and envy arise in their facial expressions. I feel that I am one of the lucky ones to have this incredible experience to live and work abroad in the youngest country on earth! I currently live in Phoenix, AZ and it will be nice to see a large body of water again as we are a land locked state.

If you’re interested in a Tourism Internship in Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch or Queenstown, in New Zealand, check out the Tourism Internships page for more information.

Name: Ellen

University: University of Central Lancashire

Course: International Tourism Management degree

Heading to: New Zealand

For how long: 12 months

Starting: Between June and August 2010

Programme: New Zealand Hospitality Internship programme

I am most looking forward to living in a different country and experiencing different culture and lifestyle. I think it will be a unique experience that not everyone gets the chance to do.

I hope to learn the skills of the hotel trade, and learn not to rely on other people. I think the placement will make my CV stand out from a lot of other candidates that may be applying for the same job. It will show that I have commitment as I will have left my country for a year, and it shows experience and not everyone will have this.

I chose New Zealand as I didn’t want to live near where I do now. I wanted to go to a different country and I was told New Zealand was a beautiful country so wanted to see for myself (also like the accent haha)
I have told my friends about going to New Zealand and they are all very jealous!

If you’re interested in a Hospitality Internship in Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch or Queenstown, in New Zealand, check out the Hospitality Internships page for more information.

Name: Sadie

University: Portsmouth University, Highbury College

Course: Foundation degree Hospitality Management

Heading to: New Zealand

For how long: 6 months

Starting: May 2010

Programme: New Zealand Hospitality Internship programme

Sadie applied for a six month hospitality internship in New Zealand with her friend Gemma. We are currently talking to hotels in Christchurch about an internship for Sadie and Gemma, to start this May.

Amy another Portsmouth University student is currently in New Zealand on her 12 month hospitality placement. you can read Amy’s Hospitality Internship feedback on our blog.

Below are some quick comments from Sadie as she looks forward to her internship in New Zealand:

I am most looking forward to becoming independent and experiencing something completely different in New Zealand .I am hoping that from my internship it will open up more doors for me when I finish my degree.

I am travelling to New Zealand for my internship as it will be an amazing opportunity for me to develop new skills and work within a different culture.

I think my friends will be very envious as they dont have the opportunity to do something like this. It will be a huge step for me but it is something I am very excited and eager to do.

If you’re interested in a Hospitality Internship in Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua in New Zealand, check out the Hospitality Internships page for more information.

The trip was as to be expected–LONG–but uneventful and I landed safely in Auckland and hit the ground running!  I spent a few days with friends from the States who now live in a village outside Auckland called Maraetai.  There, I enjoyed soaking in the culture, the sun, and the beach!  After 4 days I headed to Matamata to meet Job, my New Zealand contact, and “Zibu,” the foundation Stallion of Chrialka Stud, who has been under Job’s care and training.  The next day I caught a bus to Napier, the Art Deco capitol of NZ, to meet Liz and to head to the farm.

The stud is located in Hawkes Bay, outside of Napier and Hastings.  Virtually surrounded by vineyards, It is an expansive 2,500 acres of rolling hills, home to sheep, cattle, and of course the stud’s budding sport horses.  I was quickly acquainted with the 20+ equines on the property, ranging in age from a few months to 6 years.  The first week was light as the cattle were in the yards being scanned for pregnancy and the weather was a bit wet, but Liz and I got to riding and bringing a few horses back into work.  I also got to go out with Mark Nelson to muster some of the cattle!  Next came bringing in all the horses for handling, drenching, a little mane tidying, and then back out to new paddocks.  Liz also took me out on a few hacks to explore some of the farm, and let me tell you it goes on for days!

Now we have 5 horses in work under saddle on a daily basis, with a few to come in to be backed and trained in the coming weeks, including a 4 year old stallion!  A few of the horses are just green broke and I will be working with them from the ground as well as from the saddle to bring them along and continue their training.  Liz and I have also taken a few of the further along horses to dressage lessons to improve our schooling.  We also look forward to taking them to a few competitions in the upcoming months.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Dressage Championships in Taupo to watch some stellar riding.  I also got to help out as a “writer,” recording scores and comments for the judges as competitors rode their tests.  It was a neat way to feel like part of the action while not actually competing.  Next week is the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, which will host some 2,600 horses and riders for 6 days of competition and celebration.  Liz and I will be manning a tent to represent and promote the stud, as well as watching some of the top competition in the Southern Hemisphere.

As it is just Liz and I working with the horses, each day is full of work, riding, tending to the horses, and of course fun.  It has also been a unique look into what it is like to own and run an equine business.  I look forward to the next few months as the horses and I continue to work and learn, and as I get to see more of the beautiful country!  In addition to my stud stay, I also hope to do a few of the areas well known walks, and go on a wine tour as Hawkes bay is one of the premiere wine producing areas in New Zealand.

I have greatly enjoyed my first 3 weeks in New Zealand and look forward to 11 more!

Kristen

If you’re interested in an Equine Internship in New Zealand like Annette’s, visit the Equine Internships page for details on the programme and to check out example placements available.

Alternatively you can call the experts on Australia and New Zealand internships on 0207 353 7699 to have a chat about an internship for you.

Name: Hannah

University: Dublin Institute of Technology

Course: BSc. International Hospitality Management

Currently in: Queenstown, New Zealand

For how long: 6 months

Starting: February 2010

Programme: New Zealand Hospitality Internship programme

Hannah is in the group of hospitality students we placed into Queenstown, New Zealand. I got to meet Hannah last time we were in Dublin and like Aine and Sian she will do well on her internship I’m sure.

After landing in Christchurch, New Zealand fresh off their long flight from Dublin to New Zealand, the three girls had an 8 hour bus ride from Christchurch to Queenstown… The flights were booked between Christchurch and Queenstown unfortunately.

Intern Options placed Hannah with Sian into a fantastic four star hotel in Queenstown. Their intial starting offer is in Food and Beverage, where they will start their 6 month hospitality internship.

Hannah had done quite a bit of research on New Zealand before she applied. This combined with her CV and cover letter that were very well written made sure she was accepted by the hotel. The thing that came through from Hannah’s cover letter that impressed the HR manager was that she was enthusiastic and willing to learn.

If you’re interested in a Hospitality Internship in Queenstown, Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua in New Zealand, check out the Hospitality Internships page for more information.

Name: Aine

University: Dublin Institute of Technology

Course: BSc. International Hospitality Management

Currently in: Queenstown, New Zealand

For how long: 6 months

Starting: February 2010

Programme: New Zealand Hospitality Internship programme

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Aine has just arrived this morning (UK time) in New Zealand for her six month hospitality internship. Apparently the weather is “great” and the sun is shining. Aine is travelling with her two friends Sian and Hannah from DIT. All three will be doing their 6 month hospitality internships in hotels in Queenstown as part of their studies.

Aine didn’t have any previous hotel experience on her CV when she applied for the Intern Options hospitality programme. The internship that Intern Options found Aine is with a very good hotel in Queenstown.

In 2009 Intern Options placed two students from DIT into New Zealand, you can hear from Sinead and her hospitality internship feedback on our blog.

Aine will be starting in a food and beverage position which was her starting offer from the hotel. When Aine starts her internship next week she will be evaluated over the first weeks of her internship. If she impresses the hotel management and there is a place within the hotel for her to move to, there could be this option. For more information on this see the Hospitality Internships Starting Offers page.

We wish Aine all the best for her internship in New Zealand. We know you will love Queenstown in the summer and hopefully you will get a bit of skiing in at the beginning of the winter. We will be placing 15-20 Tourism and Hospitality interns into Queenstown at the end of June/ beginning of July ready for the start of the winter season in New Zealand’s adventure tourism capital.

If you’re interested in a Hospitality Internship in Queenstown, Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua in New Zealand, check out the Hospitality Internships page for more information.