Designed for graduates of a bachelor’s degree or similar.

Yuka Murase

In the dynamic realm of marketing, Yuka Murase, a dedicated 3rd-year Bachelor of Business student, embarked on an incredible journey that profoundly reshaped her academic trajectory. Her 14-week internship at AIS's Marketing Department wasn't just an experience—it was a transformational odyssey.

Yuka's path to success commenced with the intricacies of securing an internship placement and mastering the New Zealand-style CV. While the road was winding, Yuka's unwavering determination and AIS's Placement Coordinators paved the way, ultimately positioning her within the dynamic team at AIS's marketing department.

Launching into her internship, Yuka's goal stood crystal clear: to immerse herself in marketing's real-world significance and amass a treasure trove of hands-on experiences.

"In the Intensive Internship course, I learned vital skills for the New Zealand workplace, like professionalism, communication, and development. These insights improved my internship experience. AIS lectures covered key internship theories, like marketing's 7Ps and processes such as competitor analysis and target audience understanding. While I grasped these concepts theoretically, the internship provided practical application. For instance, competitive analyses revealed market trends essential for strategy. Data analysis informed efficient resource use. Crafting Google Ads taught me audience-specific approaches. These experiences confirm the lasting value of my internship and AIS education for my evolving marketing career", shares Yuka.

Yuka's journey stood out due to her dual immersion in both traditional and digital marketing spheres. With the opportunity to work across two distinct marketing departments, her perspective expanded within a mere 14 weeks.

With a background in architectural studies and a passion for furniture and interior design, Yuka envisions a future where her AIS journey seamlessly merges with her aspirations. Her goal is to infuse her learnings from the internship and her time at AIS into her pursuits within the captivating realm of interior design.

Ofa Kohinoa

AIS has taught Ofa Kohinoa many things in recent years, the most important of which is to aim high. The 27 year-old has managed to do exactly that, achieving an Academic Excellence certificate during her second-to-last semester and being awarded the B.R & Associates Merit Award for High Achievement by a Pasifika graduate in the Bachelor of Business programme at her subsequent graduation ceremony.

Prior to enrolling at AIS in January 2019, Ofa had completed a Diploma in Accounting at AIS’ sister school, the Tonga Institute Of Higher Education (TIHE) in Tongatapu.

“I chose to study at AIS as it is seemed easy with the linkage courses between TIHE and this institution in Auckland. Therefore I started to explore all the required information and documents I needed to enroll. I was really looking forward to completing my first degree – a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting.”

Ofa says AIS has taught her many things in life such as personal commitment as well as aiming high. “Not only in terms of academic-related issues but also wider social and economic issues.”

Learning to tackle academic challenges and manage her time to complete last minute assignments was the biggest hurdle she had to overcome. “On the other hand, those situations taught me how to work together as a group to fulfil the objectives of particular tasks when it comes to group assignments.”

Being away from her family in Tonga was also difficult, but Ofa says AIS provided a wonderful support and taught her how to cope and deal with those emotions.

Gaining her qualification has now opened the doors of employment. Ofa has returned home to Tonga and is now working as an economist in the Ministry of Finance’s Economic Fiscal Policy division.

“The position contributes much to the economy of Tonga and the coordination of the Government’s budget statement,” Ofa says. “I’m still learning the process and the roles of the position but I have managed to contribute the skills and knowledge that I gained from my studies at AIS and I know it will help me to move forward in my career.”

Ofa plans to study an MBA with AIS at some point in the future. She highly recommends the Bachelor of Business programme and urges others to take up the opportunities on offer.

“For someone who is considering studying at AIS, you should take the many aptitude and personality tests that AIS offers to clarify who you are and what your career might hold going forward.”

Karishma Nand

Not even tropical Cyclone Winston could deter Fiji’s Karishma Nand from studying a Bachelor of Business, majoring in accounting, at AIS. “It was my childhood dream to study abroad,” she says. “New Zealand is a safe country and has great career opportunities. AIS has affordable fees for international students while providing quality NZQA-approved courses. Their Bachelor of Business was also accredited by CPA which is a great thing for any accounting student. I had planned to join AIS in the first semester of 2016, but Cyclone Winston hit Fiji and I could not make it. But AIS offered me discounted fees to help me pursue my studies during that difficult time so I arrived in September and began in the third semester.”

Karishma describes the following three years as “the best experience of my life” and her talent and determination shone through. She received the Top Scholar Enterprise award in 2019 for all-round excellence. She also received seven Academic Excellence Scholarships during her study and was chosen as a class representative for three consecutive semesters.

“I am an introvert and find it difficult to socialise. But my lecturers chose me to be a class representative which helped me to open up and overcome this weakness.” Delivering presentations in class also helped Karishma gain self-confidence and public speaking skills.

“I feel fortunate and extremely lucky that I chose AIS for my tertiary education. The learning environment was very friendly and student numbers were less compared to big universities which gave me the chance to interact with my lecturers directly anytime I needed help. Studying in a diverse environment also gave me more exposure and understanding of other cultures and personalities.”

Her accounting papers included courses in MYOB and Xero which gave Karishma useful, practical skills. Every accounting student was also supported to apply for Associate Membership from CPA Australia for free. In addition, Karishma was taught how to draft a CV, and her lecturers were happy to provide references which helped her secure a job after graduation.

She initially worked as a Merchant Services Analyst for Windcave but has since become a Merchant Risk & Compliance Manager at Westpac bank where she deals with anti-money laundering and risk management issues. “The knowledge I gained during my studies at AIS helps me a lot with my everyday work duties,” she says.

With senior management firmly in her sights, Karishma plans to complete an MBA at some point. “I can guarantee AIS is the best place to pursue tertiary study. You will find friendly and supportive lecturers, quality education, and a diverse and great atmosphere to learn. You will gain not just theoretical knowledge, but practical skills as well.”

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.