Tag: courses in New Zealand

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Five Amazing New Zealand Destinations for Your Study Break

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We know how hard our students work during the semester. So, by the time study break arrives, we all want to get out of town and relax on the beach. Well, not all of us. Some of us would prefer to put the pedal to the metal and take advantage of all of the adventure tourism New Zealand has to offer. New Zealand is absolutely full of great places to spend some time while you’re on break, but where is the best of the best? We go over five killer locations to spend a holiday!

Have a beach day (or two) in the Coromandel

The Coromandel peninsula is an otherworldly paradise full of white sand beaches, dramatic coastlines, native bush, and plenty of sun. Even better, it’s just a few hours from either Auckland, Hamilton, or Tauranga. So, where’s good?

Whangamata is one of the spiritual centres of New Zealand surfing and has great restaurants and bars. Just five minutes north from there, you’ll find Opoutere, a deserted, tree-lined beach which is a hidden gem. On the other side of the peninsula, the beautiful Pinnacles walk leaves from the Thames, and who could forget Cathedral Cove in Hahei—known worldwide since it was used as a filming location for the Chronicles of Narnia.

 

Wellington: A Capital experience

This one’s great for those doing a barista course, or anyone with a taste for culture and urbane living. While Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, Wellington is known as the cultural capital. It has a strong coffee culture, and while you’re there, make sure you try out a few of the many cafes the city has to offer. The restaurant and bar scene is also thriving, and the nightlife is considered the best in the country.

However, it’s not to say that Wellington doesn’t have anything in the way of natural beauty to offer. Taking a drive around the scenic south coast reveals a rugged and windswept landscape that is utterly captivating. At Red Rocks, you can even see seals. Closer to town, the walk up Mt. Victoria is a must, providing stunning views of the city and surrounds that will make you fall in love with the place.

 

Go thrillseeking in Queenstown

New Zealand has an international reputation as a country to visit if you’re seeking thrills. Adrenaline junkies unite, because Queenstown has everything you could ever want. This is not an exhaustive list, but here you can go: bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, white water rafting, ziplining, and much more. Whether you’re after that one experience you’ll remember for your whole life, or you’re trying to fit in as many as you can in the time you have, you’re sure to leave with that adventure itch well scratched.

Of course, Queenstown is more than just adventure tourism. It’s nestled right in the Southern Alps, New Zealand’s biggest and most dramatic mountain range. That means it’s an international snow sports and mountain biking destination, depending on the season. Even if you have no bike or skis, a hike up some of the mountains will do the trick. Try the Ben Lomond climb, located right next to town.

 

A volcanic experience

One of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in New Zealand has to be the central volcanic plateau. Dominated by the three volcanoes Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe, this twisted landscape was the filming location for Mordor in the Lord of the Rings for good reason. The Tongariro Crossing is New Zealand’s most famous hike and is a well-maintained trail suitable for anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness. Afterwards, relax in the natural hot springs in Tokaanu—some believe they have healing properties.

Just to the north of the mountains lies Lake Taupo, the largest in the country. The town of Taupo, on the north side of the lake, has accommodation, bars, restaurants, and everything else you could need on your getaway. While you’re there, consider checking out the mighty Huka Falls and the Craters of the Moon geothermal walkway for a lunar landscape of bubbling mud and geothermal vents.

 

Ready, willing, and Abel

Located just outside of Nelson is the Abel Tasman National Park, home to golden beaches and blue water that will make you feel like you’re in a dream. The park is most famous for the Abel Tasman track, one of New Zealand’s great walks. The coastal walkway takes between 3 to 5 days and is world-renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery and beaches.

Nearby are the towns of Takaka and Motueka. These places have an old-school hippie character, and many wandering travellers have blown in and stayed for years longer than they intended. Takaka is the gateway to Golden Bay, a true holiday destination of the finest kind. A shallow coastal area separated from the rest of the South Island by a sharp mountain range, you’ll enjoy Golden Bay’s rugged isolation as much as you enjoy its golden sand and shining seas.

Don’t have a study break to go on?

Study break is the best time of the year, but you don’t get one if you’re not studying. Crown Institute of Studies offers a variety of courses in New Zealand from tourism, to hospitality, to business and English language courses. With us, you’ll get work experience in the industry you choose while you study for your qualification, allowing you to go straight into work when you’re done. Contact us to enrol today and start your New Zealand adventure!

 

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Pros and Cons of Living with A Host Family

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If you are mulling over whether or not you should consider staying with a host family while you study or gain work experience in New Zealand, you’ve come to the right place. Living with a host family has its shares of advantages and disadvantages. This article will help you make an informed decision about whether or not living with a host family is right for you – read on!

Pros of living with a host family

It’s budget-friendly

To start off with, if you’re tight on budget or looking for low-cost accommodation for your overseas study years, living with a host family is potentially the most cost-effective choice. Most homestays turn out to be cheaper relative to flat-sharing or hostel options, as they come with meals, laundry and cleaning services, which can save a lot of money in the long run! If you want value for money from day one, living with the host family could be the best choice for you.

Immersive cultural experience

If you’re game for a cultural exchange, take the leap and live with the locals! This can be an exciting alternative to staying in your comfort zone. After all, you’re probably new to the country and don’t know much about the customs or cultures. From tasting local foods, learning the local slang, and attending local events to witnessing local traditions and getting access to non-touristy, scenic spots, the perks are countless! And if you’re studying hospitality courses, this creates a win-win situation—you get both the theoretical and practical knowledge to take to the field! 

Easier adoption to the environment

One in a hundred can claim to have a similar climate or environment as to his/her home country when travelling abroad. For most international students, adapting to a new environment can sometimes be at the cost of your physical and mental health, especially during the first few weeks. A host family can help you adapt more quickly by providing support and giving you tips on how best to adjust to your new environment.

Whether that’s facing strong winds, incessant winter rains, or even the harsh summer New Zealand sun, a homestay situation can better prepare you for what to expect.

Home away from home

More than just being a home away from home, living in a homestay can be as good as having a second family. This is especially true if you’re travelling to a foreign country or are leaving your family and friends for the first time in your life.

No matter how well you’ve prepared for what lies ahead, homesickness will hit you eventually! Living with a host family can help you deal with it better than being on your own in an unfamiliar place. Having a support system is reassuring and can also give you a chance to make new friends for life!

Cons of living with a host family

Live by their rules

Living in a homestay means following the rules and regulations set by the host family. Host families will have different sets of rules to follow, but it’s important to take whatever they say seriously as a sign of respect. They could have a curfew set up, guest restrictions, noise policies, or even restricted areas of the house. If you’re considering staying with a host family, make sure you’re prepared to abide by whatever rules you’ll need to live by.

Feeling out of place

As much as a host family can make you feel in sync with the local culture and atmosphere, you’ll need to deal with feeling “out of place”, especially in the beginning. There’s also the risk of feeling isolated from other students or travellers who are also new to the country and have common woes or things to discuss.

What you lack in the traditional ‘student’ lifestyle, though, you make up for in other ways such as a warm house come wintertime. Trust us, you’ll value this in New Zealand!

 

Dependency factor

For some people, being dependent on someone else for food, laundry or even cleaning can be too excruciating. It’s okay to be the type of person who likes to live independently or can be a little picky about the way things should be done (laundry, for example). Maybe you simply don’t like the idea of having to depending on others too much, and that’s fine, but you’ll need to figure out what situation works best for you.

Make the right choice

 

Having read through it all, weigh your personal requirements against the pros and cons and decide if you would like to live with a host family while you study courses in New Zealand. Don’t go by what others have to say or choose. After all, your choice would lay the foundation for your first few weeks of experience in a new country. If you have any doubt or are simply stressed out, contact us at student services and we might be of help!

 

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Why Studying in New Zealand is Fantastic

Girl leaning against railing in Auckland Viaduct with Sky Tower in background

Whether you’re a kiwi born and raised, or from another part of the globe and looking to spread your wings, New Zealand is a fantastic place to study for many reasons. Coming to New Zealand to study can be an easy process, as student visas allow you to live and even work part time in New Zealand while you study. Courses in New Zealand range as far as you can imagine, so there really is something for everyone. Don’t take our word for it though, read this article to find out why studying in New Zealand really is so great!

Friendly Locals

University is the perfect time to make new friendships that you can carry with you through life, and New Zealand is the ideal place to make lasting friendships, as Kiwis are known to be among the friendliest in the world. Kiwis have an easy-going nature that makes it easy to get along with them. What’s more, they’re usually up for many an impromptu social occasion, due to being so relaxed.

Sometimes when choosing to study abroad in foreign countries people can find the experience isolating. A distinct difference that makes New Zealand stand out is many people’s inclusive attitude, and this can be incredibly helpful when you’re new to the place.

Never-Ending Road Trip Opportunities

The New Zealand landscape is absolutely beautiful, and for most people studying in big cities, the rivers, mountains and beaches are only a short road-trip away. Studying in New Zealand means getting to spend weekends renting picturesque Airbnb’s out in the bush, or piling up the surfboards to drive out to a black sand surf beach on a Saturday morning. There are endless opportunities to get out into nature and experience something new that New Zealand has to offer, all you need is a mate with a car and a bit of gas money.

Throughout the year, there are plenty of study breaks to spend going on adventures. Most semesters are made up of twelve weeks, with a 2 week break in the centre, and at least a month off in between semesters. Summer is the best time to be here on study break, as festivals pop up all across the country that get young people together to have a good time.

Diverse Culture

Entering any of the main cities in New Zealand, you will immediately notice that there’s an extremely diverse range of people who inhabit these spaces. It’s no wonder, as New Zealand is one of the safest places to live. This diversity means that there’s no shortage of culture in all aspects of life. Not only are Kiwis rooted in Maori culture, we also have a vibrant cultural scene that extends from all four corners of the earth. There are a huge range of attractions, festivals, and cuisines available in this country, from Diwali festivals that take up the entire main streets, to the Matariki Maori New Year festival lighting up entire cities for weeks.

Great Public Transport Systems

Every political election, the first thing on everyone’s list of policies is public transport. We’ve come an incredibly long way for a country that was built around the concept of cars, and both Auckland and Wellington now have comprehensive public transport systems that can get you pretty much anywhere across the cities and surrounding suburbs.

Studying in Auckland in the next couple of years will mean you’ll get the opportunity to be one of the first regular users of the City Rail Link, a massive central city train system that is currently in development.

Top Study Options

New Zealand’s education system is ranked at a high standard worldwide. It is based on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, which focuses on quality education far higher than quantity. As a result, students find themselves in much smaller classes than they may be used to overseas, and much more focused personal attention to their learning. There are eight official universities in New Zealand, and many other higher educational facilities as well. No matter where you study, you’ll be guaranteed a quality education that will really take you places.

Study at Crown Institute in Auckland

If you’re keen to study in New Zealand, Crown has a range of courses in New Zealand that could be perfect for you. From travel and tourism and hospitality courses, to studying the complex English language. Plus, your course will gain you valuable work experience in the New Zealand workforce to kick start your career in this beautiful country. View our courses online now.

 

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New Year’s Resolutions for Boosting Your Career | Crown

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It’s officially 2019, a new year! Is it time for a new ‘do? Or maybe a new you? If you’re a month into the year and still trying to figure out what your New Year’s resolutions are going to be and where you want to take your life this year, we’re here to help. We’ve put together some great goals that will help you boost your career and kickstart your year with courses in New Zealand to assist you along the way!

Find some inspiration

If you’re going into in the new year with a bit of a slump, a good resolution to have for the year is to let yourself be inspired within your industry. As much as your slump-demons may lead you to believe this is a hard task to achieve, it can be as easy as going on YouTube and looking up some TED talks, or following successful, relatable influencers on Instagram who (don’t forget) are people just like you.

Everyone experiences slumps – and looking to inspiration from people who are succeeding can help you to find your own promising ways for getting out of them! Maybe they’ll inspire you to create exciting content of your own, or maybe they’ll share some inspiring words that will resonate with you in just the right spots. Either way, you’ll be surprised at the change in attitude that can come out of being inspired, and your teachers and employers will notice this as well.

Expand your skill set

You’re never finished learning new things, so what better time to decide to make a serious effort to expand your skill set in your chosen career path than the new year? This is a sure-fire way to boost your career, as more and more opportunities become available to you when your skill set grows broader.

A promising way you can do this is to gain a certificate in an area that you may personally be lacking. Certificates can be obtained relatively easily, as they don’t take too long to complete. In fact, some courses in New Zealand will take less than a week. And as long as you give your workplace a significant notice period, they shouldn’t have a problem giving you the time you need to complete them so you can bring more value to the workplace.

For example, if you’re in hospitality as a wait staff and you want to expand your skill set within the hospitality industry, there are lots of options available. A short Barista course could help you build your knowledge in making delicious coffees, and a food and beverage certificate can help you to get one step further to working in the kitchen.

The great thing about certificates is that they’re a professionally recognised document, so as soon as you gain them, you’ll be a more valuable asset to your workplace.

Take more opportunities

Once you’ve expanded your skill set, don’t put them to waste by ignoring opportunities that come at you. A key way to train yourself to take opportunities outside of your comfort zone is to make an effort to say “YES” to more things. Whether they’re serious promotions, networking opportunities such as industry events, or just going out to lunch with your co-workers, you never know what might happen! So, just say yes and take as many opportunities as you can – you can figure out the smaller details as they come.

On that note, overthinking is a huge hindrance to professional gain, and it’s easy to let our anxieties get the best of us. But when it comes to saying yes to things that may be a bit out of our comfort zone, the best thing we can do to move up in our industry the fastest is to be known as a person who isn’t afraid to take opportunities and try new things. It is an incredibly valuable asset to have in a professional environment and you’ll find yourself growing in no time!

Need a career boost? Start now!

No matter what path you’re taking in your career, there’s always room for improvement to give yourself a boost. The first thing to do with any resolution is to start achieving it! Our courses in New Zealand are available for a wide range of industries and levels, so if you’re keen to start the year off with a bang, contact us to talk about your opportunities today.

 

 

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How to Absolutely Smash Your Holiday Job Interview | Crown Institute

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Applying for a seasonal job is different from a regular job application. In a regular setting, a full-time worker is patiently expected to learn the skills associated to their job in time or develop their skills while working. A seasonal hire is different. Either they are already skilled enough for the job, or are fast learners and able to adapt to the requirements of the job quickly.
How can you convince your possible employers that you’re the right person for the seasonal job? Here are a few tips for you to land that temp job for the holidays.

Realize that it’s temporary

Seasonal jobs are just that—seasonal. While they may possibly last longer than (and employers will typically be upfront with that fact), seasonal jobs are largely based around seasonal demands. Temporary jobs require people who can pick up skills quickly and learn what they can from the get-go, so make sure that you’re a fast learner or already equipped with a handful of the necessary skills. This can also be when those short courses Auckland universities and institutes offer may come in handy – you can quickly learn the skills you need to deliver in a job right away.

Be prepared to answer behavioural questions

A company offering seasonal jobs would want to get the best person available. Make yourself that person! Prepare to answer questions on how you handled a particularly difficult customer or how you are like when working under pressure. Most of the questions you’re going to be asked are situational and adjusted to fit the job’s seasonal nature. The key is to keep yourself calm under pressure, and clearly communicate how your personality and work ethic are suited to the job.

Be prepared to be excellent

Most companies hire seasonal workers because they have an acute need for labour. That means they are looking for workers who are excellent at learning quickly and hold up well under pressure. Even though the position may be temporary, you should take it as an opportunity to shine – and you should communicate this in your interview. The chance to become a regular employee becomes higher when you work like a regular employee even though you know that your employment is limited. Plus, if you work well, you will have a great reference, to help you springboard into your next role!

Demonstrate your interest for the job

When the interviewer asks you if there are any questions you have about the position, try to ask a few that genuinely interest you. This makes you look like you’re keen and interested in the job. It also gives off the impression that you want to do better in the job and gives you a bigger chance to land it. Great questions to ask include “what does success look like in this position?” and “what will the biggest challenge I face in this job be?”

Looking to update your resume, and prepare for work?

Crown Institute is only one of the many excellent institutes that offer courses in New Zealand that prepares you for any job, whether it’s temporary or full-time. Talk to us if you’re interested on making your seasonal employment a permanent one or to get pointers in acing your job interview!

Look for the best job available

You must realise that seasonal jobs may become long-time opportunities. What are you looking for in a company? Look at the offers and choose the best company that suits your needs. The learning experience can be tempting or their nice combination of work and play may be what you’re looking for. This consideration may also come in handy when looking at a ready list of future employers.

 

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Top Tips for Part-Time Job CV Writing | Crown Institute of Studies

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The holidays offer both students and office workers a welcome respite from the stress of everyday life. For those already working, it’s a time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the spoils of the year. For students, it is a chance to forget about stressful exams and pesky assignments.

Enterprising students who want to have some work experience to show on their CVs, however, may prefer to find a part-time job or temporary work to give their profile that edge.

It’s easy to find work as there is a lot to go around, but making employers notice you from all those people submitting their application is hard. Here are our top tips on how to make your application stand out.

Keep it short and sweet

What makes you look like a strong candidate? Perhaps surprisingly, it is keeping the information on your CV short and sweet! There are only two pages of paper, at the most, that you can fill with experiences if you are a student – after all, you are just starting your career journey. It also pays to add information that is relevant to the job you’re applying for. Reflect the language used in the job advertisement in your own relevant experiences.

Lastly, no one wants a novel. It’s also a good idea to avoid making it look like a wall of text to read.

Pick a few qualities that clearly define you

When writing your CV, it’s great to list qualities, but better to list them with descriptive paragraphs. When you list down your qualities and describe what happened as a result of using these in school or an organisation, employers may see this as work experience. When you can illustrate a handful of qualities that clearly define you and which you have clearly demonstrated in your work and school history, you help employers visualise you working for them. This is a crucial thing to include in your CV, especially if you’re a student looking for your first job, internship, or summer role.

Make a skills-based CV

There are many ways you can complete your CV. Professionals would write a reverse-chronological type of CV where the most recent achievements are found at the top. Since you’re a student, a nice touch would be to write a CV that highlights the skills that make you a fit for the job. It will also help you write the achievements you’ve gained as a result of using those skills.

Keep it well-organised

There are different ways you can organise the sections of your CV, but as a general rule of thumb your education comes first, followed by any work experiences or organisational work done during your time in school. In writing your CV as a part-time applicant, it’s helpful to include any instances that you were of great help to your school organisation.

Crown Institute offers courses in New Zealand that can help you transform your CV with hands-on work experience. If you’d like to find out more about our courses, contact us today!