Business courses at Stages 1, 2 and 3.

Mehrunnissa

Nisha graduated from AIS with a Graduate Diploma in International Business in late August 2014. She is currently enjoying her stay in New Zealand on a 12-month Post Study Work visa, working as a Delivery Center Consultant at IBM (Concentrix) on behalf of Air New Zealand. In addition to her AIS Graduate Diploma, Nisha has over nine years of experience working within the hospitality and hotel industry, later progressing up to the level of marketing executive, along with a bachelor degree in IT and aviation and air hostess training.

Nisha came to New Zealand from West Bengal, India in June 2012 with an offer of place to study Graduate Diploma in Business (Marketing) at a nearby tertiary institution. Having completed five papers there, Nisha ran into visa difficulties due to course availability issues which left her with two options: either stay in Auckland without student work rights, or return to India for six months, then come back and start over.  In either case, she would have to give up her job.

“Not a comfortable position. Basically if I went back to India, I would have to leave everything behind. I was already working in New Zealand which I would’ve had to leave and I already had a place to stay which I would’ve had to, again, leave, which was not very suitable. I was under pressure.”

Luckily, through a recommendation from friends, Nisha met AIS.

“How I met AIS was really interesting. My friend said we should go and ask around if we can cross-credit. The first uni was AIS – it was near.”

“Mike Roberts (Vice President) really guided me very well. Basically being here, still working, keeping my job and getting my graduate diploma was all his credit. If not for getting support from Mike, I don’t know whether I would be still standing. He advised what papers I needed to take and how I should be going ahead. He was very supportive because in the state I was, I was already losing my hopes left and right. To put all that together in one place is really supportive.”

“I was really lucky to have my friend direct me to AIS.”

Nisha successfully cross-credited the graduate diploma courses from the other institution, and went on to study two semesters at AIS.

“From the six months being here, I found the lecturers to be very helpful and open, and the study is really good – short but effective, it’s just three months but you get to learn a lot. AIS are really supportive with international students and have a better, stress-free environment.”

 After graduation, Nisha got her 12-month Post Study Work visa and is currently looking to settle in New Zealand.

“My first choice is to stay in New Zealand – it’s a good, beautiful country with high living standards.”

“At this point I’m looking to stick with the current job and keep applying for better marketing positions, looking toward the corporate sector. I need a bit of time to put my things together.”

“I’m looking forward to working in corporate marketing with fixed hours, having more time for myself. Customer service and marketing – these are the two main areas.”

Lesieli Filivao

Before I attended AIS, I was working for Paradise International Hotel in Tonga as an accounts manager. Having worked for several years in accounts, I realised that for me to get ahead I needed an accounting qualification.

Choosing New Zealand and AIS to further my education in accounting was the right decision for me. I was fortunate to receive a Pacific Island Educational Scholarship. My two years studying were the most pleasurable and memorable throughout my study history. The institute has a strong faculty and high-quality academic staff. I had the most caring, intellectually stimulating and responsive lecturers and tutors. They have equipped me with the knowledge, skills and the professionalism that I needed for my career, and the critical thinking that I needed for lifelong development of my knowledge in accounting and the business sector.

I am now employed at New Zealand Industrial Specialists Limited as an accounts manager. Being educated at AIS helped me find a good job in New Zealand. I am so proud to apply what I have learned to my employment today.

Vivi Lu

Vivi completed her Bachelor in International Business at AIS in early May 2013 and currently works at Amicus Law, an Auckland-based law firm, as a legal executive with additional marketing responsibilities. 

Originally from Guangdong, China, Vivi enrolled at AIS in May 2011 as a domestic student by cross-crediting her previous qualification. The decision to study Bachelor’s at AIS was made with encouragement from her parents and by recommendation from her friends already studying here.

“I was focused on working and getting my residency. I wasn’t concentrating on getting my degree, but my parents wanted me to finish it. That’s when I picked AIS and I chose to study part-time.”

“I had about 5-6 friends already studying at AIS who were in a similar situation and they said that if I wanted to finish my degree, then AIS is the best way. Other universities in Auckland didn’t offer as many cross credits so that was the best choice for me.”

Being a non-native English speaker, Vivi faced difficulties studying in her first semester at AIS. Fortunately, AIS requires all students to take a compulsory English Study Writing course early on to address this concern.

“I was struggling at the time but after that course I was thinking yes, I’ve made the right choice.”

“I really enjoyed studying in the English class. I thought that was very useful and my previous university didn't provide such a subject. I enjoyed that part very much. It was a very good step, even though I had been in NZ for so many years, sometimes you forget things and that's a really good step to help you pick up the knowledge and skills to write essays etc. I thought that was a very good experience when I was at AIS.”

Vivi joined Amicus Law in January 2014, a few months after finishing her qualification at AIS. The knowledge she gained from studying for her Bachelor’s degree proves useful in her daily activities at the firm.

“Especially the last subject in my programme, Applied Management Project, because that's the thing where you combine all your knowledge and do a project by yourself. Definitely useful.”

In addition to her Bachelor’s degree, Vivi holds a Diploma in Tourism and Travel Services Management from AUT, a NZ Diploma in Business, and a Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality from AWI International Group. Prior to her position as a legal executive, Vivi worked as an overseas trade executive at Transnational Exports Limited, a sales associate at Luxottica group, a store manager at InTouch Digital Communications, and as a director’s assistant at Vault Realty.

In the future Vivi plans to expand on her marketing knowledge and turn it into a career.

“I actually want to do more marketing work with students, so this job is a good start. In the future I would like to look at doing marketing for schools. That’s my goal or vision for the next 5 years.” 

Karina Neilsen

Becoming a Chartered Accountant is a dream for many around the world, with much of the skill set and knowledge common across countries and borders. For Karina, this goal is very real, but she never thought she would be planning to be a Chartered Accountant in New Zealand rather than her native Russia.

Karina completed a Bachelor of Accounting at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics before deciding to pursue a bridging course in New Zealand so that she could use her accounting skills to best effect. With AIS having a leading reputation with international students, she enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in International Business.

Karina understood that to become an accountant anywhere in the world, she would need to learn about other areas of business and AIS allowed her to explore these new knowledge areas with confidence and clarity. Above all, it was the supportive environment and individual focus at AIS which stood out for Karina during her time studying.

“If I required assistance with anything, I could easily go to someone at AIS for help and receive the support - whether something to do with the course or personal matters.

“For example, I wanted to do more accounting courses, rather than the traditional business ones, so I went and spoke to the Academic Head of Programme. The department supported me through this process and advised me about the best courses to take for my future. They were actually trying to personally help me.”

Karina believes that the value of supporting individuals was also reflected in the classroom environment at AIS. She recalls one occasion when some of the students were falling behind with an assignment. To ensure that everyone had the best chance of answering the questions, the department extended the due date - working individually with those who were struggling.

“Not many people do that. Most of the teachers at AIS are more than happy to help because they want you to do well.

“Teachers get to know students on a personal level. They knew I wanted to become a Chartered Accountant so would suggest job placements and opportunities to build my wider network in New Zealand. When you come to a new country, you have plenty of questions so it is nice to have support on hand.”

Karina believes that her time at AIS has provided the ideal base for her ongoing career as a Chartered Accountant. At the moment, Karina is working at an accounting firm in Auckland, using her skills in the payroll department. Having already been promoted during her time at the business, Karina has high hopes of reaching her Chartered Accounting dream in the coming years.