Ningcong Gao (Annie)
Master of International Hospitality Management student
Graduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management
Studying international hospitality management is a great option if you enjoy interacting with people, says Ningcong Gao (Annie) who came to AUT as an international student from China.
“I opted to study hospitality management based on my personality traits; I love engaging with others, learning about diverse cultures and broadening my global viewpoint. Hospitality management can lead to careers in various areas – including catering, tourism, entertainment, luxury services, and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions – which gives you different professional options.”
Because she knew she wanted to study in New Zealand, she soon found herself at AUT for her studies.
“AUT is known for its practice-oriented education and strong industry connections, including its extensive links with the hospitality, tourism and service industries in New Zealand and globally; increasing students’ employment opportunities after graduation. I appreciate that AUT offers opportunities for students to gain real experience during their studies and that most of the lecturers can talk about their own professional experiences in the classes.”
Researching authentic experiences
For her Master of International Hospitality Management research, Annie is focusing on the career development of Asian women in the New Zealand hospitality industry.
“Currently, there is limited literature on the career development of Asian women in the New Zealand hospitality industry. As a student from an Asian country, I wanted to be authentic about the experiences of Asian women working here, and decided to investigate what advantages and challenges cultural diversity has for Asian women's career development.
“I believe that my research could lead to a better understanding and improvement of workplace policies, mentoring programmes and leadership development for Asian women working in New Zealand’s hospitality industry.”
Annie’s research is being supervised by Associate Professor Tracy Harkison from AUT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism.
Advice for other students
Annie has some great advice for other students.
“Ask your lecturers about anything you don't understand in your courses. I often have questions, and the lecturers have been very patient to answer them after class. In terms of advice about student life, don't hesitate to contact the AUT Student Hub, and make sure to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people – this will enrich your life. I’ve especially enjoyed participating in the international events at AUT, which was a great way to meet good friends from different countries.”
She also has some specific advice for assignments.
“You should look at the AUT library website, which is very clear about how to write essays and assignments for your courses. Learning how to structure my essays was one of my biggest challenges but the links and videos on the library website have definitely helped me with my essay writing.”
