Queenstown Resort College a hotbed of diversity

Queenstown Resort College a hotbed of international diversity

Leading education institution Queenstown Resort College is proving a hotbed of international diversity with a full intake of students from 13 countries.

Of those, three countries – the USA, Venuzuela and the Philipines – are represented for the first time ever. The students are studying for either diplomas in Adventure Tourism Management or Hospitality.

Although by far the largest majority of students are New Zealanders, the fact that the award-winning college is attracting students from around the world is to be celebrated, according to QRC’s International Marketing and Recruitment Manager Duncan Sadleir.

“We’ve created a new market in Queenstown and put the resort on the map as an education destination,” he said.

“The overseas students add an international flavour and different cultures and backgrounds to the student ‘mix’ and unlike many other education institutions in New Zealand we have a policy of only taking a maximum of five students from a country in any one intake, apart from Kiwis of course.

“What that means is that students don’t turn up to find themselves sitting next to students only from their home country. They want to be here studying and socialising with Kiwis and it’s extremely important to us to maintain that diversity and keep the mix right.

“We’re also the only college to interview all students rather than just basing our acceptance of their application on their academic qualifications. We make sure we select students with the right personality and attitude to fit in with the QRC ‘family’ and the industry.”

As well as Kiwis and the three countries represented for the first time, the July intake also features students from Canada, Sweden, Vietnam, China, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Fiji and India.

Mr Sadleir said the quality of the QRC experience and the hard work of the international marketing team over the past three years was now reaping rewards on the international education stage.

“Every single overseas student is like a member of our marketing staff for us,” he said. “They’re taking loads of photos, texting, tweeting and going on Facebook to spread the word among all their friends about what we have to offer.

“Of course we have no control over that, but we’ve got faith in Queenstown, in our courses and in what we’re doing that they’ll be spreading the good word!”

ENDS