Aya Yamabe
Student Stories Profiles
Aya Yamabe
Name: Aya Yamabe
Born: Japan
Age: 20
Locations: Auckland
Discipline: Hospitality
When it comes to studying Down Under, 20 year old Aya Yamabe has more experience than many international students.
Uninspired by her school-life in Japan, she left her hometown of Sanda at just 16 and headed to New Zealand. She settled in Warkworth, 45 minutes north of Auckland and spent 18 months there studying General English.
"Back in Japan I really didn't like high school. I wasn't interested in things like history, maths and science. I wanted to learn something different and my parents supported me in this," says Aya.
"Coming to New Zealand was hard at first because I was by myself, I was only 16 and I couldn't speak English, but lots of people from lots of different countries helped me. It made me start thinking about ways I could help others once my English had improved. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that working in the hospitality industry could be a good way to do that.
"My agent told me about FERN English Academy and NZMA so in 2004 I moved down to Auckland and studied English for Hospitality (EFH) at FERN. I found it very helpful. I wanted a career in hospitality but I actually knew nothing about the industry! The course gave me lots of useful industry vocab and gave me a broader general knowledge of hotels and other hospitality establishments."
It also paved the way for Aya to launch into her National Diploma of Hospitality Management at NZMA.
I started the diploma in March 2005 and graduated last December. It was a really good course. I particularly enjoyed the practical lessons, such as coffee and cocktail making, which took place in the first year. The second year was more academic and I struggled a bit with that, but my teachers and my classmates helped me to get through the things I found difficult."
During her studies Aya worked part-time at Ponsonby Road icon The Open Late Caf� and at a Japanese bar in Downtown.
"I think it's very good to work and study at the same time, because you get to put into practice the things you are learning in class."
As soon as she'd graduated, Aya was snapped up for a full-time position as a room attendant in popular Auckland hotel, The Quadrant. Although it's not her dream job quite yet, she's pleased to have her foot in the door and is certainly a step closer.
"Basically I like to talk to customers so I eventually hope to move up within the company and work in reception. I am enjoying my current role though. Although it's very hard physical work, I still have contact with customers because many of them have inquiries about housekeeping issues.
"At the end of the day, I just love helping people."
Uninspired by her school-life in Japan, she left her hometown of Sanda at just 16 and headed to New Zealand. She settled in Warkworth, 45 minutes north of Auckland and spent 18 months there studying General English.
"Back in Japan I really didn't like high school. I wasn't interested in things like history, maths and science. I wanted to learn something different and my parents supported me in this," says Aya.
"Coming to New Zealand was hard at first because I was by myself, I was only 16 and I couldn't speak English, but lots of people from lots of different countries helped me. It made me start thinking about ways I could help others once my English had improved. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that working in the hospitality industry could be a good way to do that.
"My agent told me about FERN English Academy and NZMA so in 2004 I moved down to Auckland and studied English for Hospitality (EFH) at FERN. I found it very helpful. I wanted a career in hospitality but I actually knew nothing about the industry! The course gave me lots of useful industry vocab and gave me a broader general knowledge of hotels and other hospitality establishments."
It also paved the way for Aya to launch into her National Diploma of Hospitality Management at NZMA.
I started the diploma in March 2005 and graduated last December. It was a really good course. I particularly enjoyed the practical lessons, such as coffee and cocktail making, which took place in the first year. The second year was more academic and I struggled a bit with that, but my teachers and my classmates helped me to get through the things I found difficult."
During her studies Aya worked part-time at Ponsonby Road icon The Open Late Caf� and at a Japanese bar in Downtown.
"I think it's very good to work and study at the same time, because you get to put into practice the things you are learning in class."
As soon as she'd graduated, Aya was snapped up for a full-time position as a room attendant in popular Auckland hotel, The Quadrant. Although it's not her dream job quite yet, she's pleased to have her foot in the door and is certainly a step closer.
"Basically I like to talk to customers so I eventually hope to move up within the company and work in reception. I am enjoying my current role though. Although it's very hard physical work, I still have contact with customers because many of them have inquiries about housekeeping issues.
"At the end of the day, I just love helping people."
Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, with 1.3 million people.
