Takako Kabayashi

Working in her parent’s restaurant in Japan, Takako Kabayashi was considering an international education. “My parents recommended that I came to New Zealand. They have friends whose son studied English here for two years. When he went back to Japan, he could speak English really well.”

Originally coming to New Zealand when she was 20 to study English, Takako loved the country so much that she decided to return to study travel at the Christchurch Polytechnic (CPIT).

Initially Takako found communication difficult. “I couldn’t speak any English at all. I remember when I met a Korean girl. She asked me if I wanted some ice-cream. I said ‘no thank you’ and she said ‘are you sure’. I didn’t understand what she was saying.”

To begin her travel diploma, Takako needed to improve her English, so studied at CPIT's language school to get the necessary grades. She passed, but says she has never had to study so hard in her life.

Takako has always been interested in the hospitality industry, and felt that studying tourism in New Zealand would be particularly beneficial. “You can see so many Japanese tourists in New Zealand.” The course taught Takako about different destinations including Australia and Asia, as well as ticketing, selling, communication and tour packaging. “Every two weeks we had exams and assignments…The hardest thing for me was that I had to study German in English - English is already my second language.”

As part of her course, Takako enjoyed work experience with a Japanese tourist company – experience that has directly impacted on her career. “I worked on the front desk answering phones. Then they asked me to work as a tour guide for them. It’s great experience.”

As a tour guide, Takako takes Japanese tourists around the city. “It’s really fun. We don’t drive cars and all bus drivers are Kiwis so I have to be able to speak both Japanese and English.”

Takako enjoys taking tourists around Christchurch’s sights. “Christchurch is not as big as Auckland but it’s beautiful, especially in the spring. Christchurch is famous for being a garden city. In the spring we get lots of cherry blossoms. In the middle of the city there's a big park and also the Christchurch cathedral. You can take trams around the city…

“The one thing that really surprised me about New Zealand is the changeable climate. In the morning sometimes its 2 degrees (Celsius) but it can get to 18 during the day.”

Takako would like to stay in New Zealand for another two years. She’s made some great friends here and says she loves the lifestyle. She’s still in touch with her teachers from CPIT and lives in a flat with a Kiwi guy and a Korean girl.