From Vietnam to Paihia and Queenstown
Interview with Carlos Nguyen, Vietnamese national and QRC Tai Tokerau graduate. I spoke to Carlos recently while he was on holiday back in Vietnam before returning to New Zealand, this time to the South Island to continue his studies with QRC (at their Queenstown campus).
Why did you decide to study in overseas?
My mother’s friend who in the ENC introduced me to New Zealand. ENC is an Education & immigration consultancy with lovely staffs who changed my life. They gave me more than enough information but more importantly they showed me new path in life, one which I am willing to take. I fell in love with New Zealand but the course however I was not sure if I really like it so they told me to spend 4 months doing Tourism Operations to see if I really want to work in the hospitality industry and now that I have done it I cannot wait to join Hospitality Management next January.
What made you decide on Northland as the place to study?
It was not really 100% my decision to study in Northland because the college down in Queenstown didn’t offer a Tourism Operation course but I guess it kinda was because I thought it would fun to experience both side of New Zealand.
What did you love most about studying with QRC in the Bay of Islands?
The people obviously. The staff worked really hard to help every students pass their papers and also they organized a lot of activities and famils for the students to learn while having fun at the same time. The students were ... I don’t really know what words should I use to describe them. They make me feel warm and welcomed. I think the students from QRC Tai Tokerau looked after each other as a big family or should I say whanau.
What sort of things did you experience when not studying?
I experienced a lot of things when I was not studying like parasailing, visiting beautiful islands, visiting caves etc but I think the biggest thing I learned was how to be a part of a community that cared for each other.
What will you miss most about Northland?
I will definitely miss the people and the culture. Maori culture is fascinating, there is so much to learn and I cannot get over how much care they give to their land and to the people around them.
“I learned that “manaakitanga” is New Zealand special way of hosting and welcoming “Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as whanau”. I can verify that this statement is very true and Northland definitely lived up to it.”
What are your plans for the future?
I will join the January 2020 intake of Hospitality Management in Queenstown. After 6 months which is after my term 1 and 2 I will go on internship for 9 months to where I’m still deciding between Australia and New Zealand. Upon finishing my internship I will return to Queenstown to finish the course. After graduating I plan to work in New Zealand or Australia.
Photos
Visit to Air New Zealand in Auckland with QRC classmates
A famil trip to Waitangi Treaty Grounds where I volunteered to be the chief of the guest group. I received the token of peace from the Maori and gave a speech to them on behalf of everyone.
Study in the beautiful Bay of Islands with QRC Tai Tokerau Resort College.
With campus locations in Paihia (Hospitality Management & Tourism Operations) and Kerikeri (Cookery), QRC Tai Tokerau Resort College offers great study options in the Northland region.
Renowned for its natural beauty and strong history, the Bay of Islands is fast becoming a major national and international tourism destination. With world-class resorts, restaurants and tourism operators on our doorstep, students become immersed in the industry from day one.
Opened in 2016, with the strong support of New Zealand Māori Tourism, local Iwi and business community, QRC Tai Tokerau’s aim is to equip students with the skills and experience to be tomorrow’s tourism leaders and entrepreneurs.
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