Adventure Tourism Management Student Rachel Scott found some time in between exams and Queenstown living to answer a few questions.
Where’s home for you?
Matamata – Matamata College
What’s your favourite part of studying ATM?
My favourite part of ATM is mixing my love for the outdoors and travel as well as challenging my academic knowledge of the industry.
Where was your internship and what was a highlight from it?
I headed back to the Mighty Waikato for my internship at Matamata i-SITE. A highlight was handing out the local tips and tricks. As well as widening my customer service experience and learning the booking systems that were great skills to add to my CV toolbox. Working for the information center was important for me, as growing up with the Hobbiton Movie Set in the area sparked my passion for the tourism industry. Moving back home was also great to follow my other passion of farming, where I was able to balance working on a dairy farm during my internship.
What do you do for fun in Queenstown outside of studying?
I absolutely love ticking off the walking tracks in the Queenstown Lake District area, my favourite so far is Roys Peak. Weekend road trips to explore what the South Island has to offer were great to bond with the new QRC friends, as well as visiting high school friends at their universities.
With only 2 weeks left on campus, what has been a standout moment from your 21-months with QRC?
The Mule at Moke Lake was by far a stand-out moment of my QRC studies and forever a highlight. As well as familiarisation such as the Canyon Swing with my facial reactions being pinned to their wall. Jumping into the lake and leavers dinner next week will also be highlights of QRC as I get to spend time with my Queenstown family before I venture off.
How does Term 5 & 6 compare to 1 & 2?
Terms 5 and 6 feel more like what my sister has explained as her first and second year of university, whereas terms 1 and 2 felt similar to my Geography, Tourism and History studies at Matamata College. Terms 5 and 6 are more independent with flatting life and other commitments, whereas terms 1 and 2 QRC Lodge life was a great stepping stone for turning 18 a week before I started QRC, especially because it was my first time leaving home as I didn’t attend a boarding high school.
What advice would you give to students looking to study at QRC?
If I were to have listened to the criticism I received when I decided Adventure Tourism Management was my study path during 2020 which saw the uncertainties of the global pandemic, I wouldn’t have been able to find the happiness and growth I have achieved from Queenstown Resort College. One key thing I have learnt on-site, and off campus is networking, I was told as I left high school “it’s not about what you know, it’s who you know”. That has become more than a saying for me but rather how I got my internship position in the Mighty Waikato, my first flat and now my graduate job in Australia.
The big question is, what’s next?
I’m off to follow the Australian dream, to work as a Field Guide at a carbon-neutral luxury resort, combining my passions for people, conservation, adventure and the environment. While I’m excited for my new adventure Queenstown and the people in it will forever hold a piece of my heart.
