Promising Student Wins Airport Scholarship

Promising Student Wins Airport Scholarship

EIT tourism and travel student Shani Stewart has won an inaugural Hawke’s Bay Airport Ltd scholarship that will help cover the cost of her diploma study fees next year.

The airport company is providing scholarship funding for promising students over the next five years, recognising EIT tourism and travel students’ assistance with an airport survey undertaken in May. Over eight days, second-year diploma students questioned 1000 passengers on their views of the terminal building to help guide the company with future planning.

Shani decided to study tourism and travel after enjoying a STAR taster course at Dannevirke High School.

“I liked it because it was something different from every other subject,” she says. “I had work experience at the Air New Zealand office in Palmerston North for five or six weeks and loved it. I learnt so much.”

Family holidays have taken her twice to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and Shani’s preferred future travel destinations include the UK and the USA.

Flatting in Taradale while studying, she would ideally like to stay in Hawke’s Bay and work in a travel agency once she gains her diploma.

“I like Napier,” she says. “I’m not too big on cities but it’s different here, a little bit laid back. And it’s relatively close to home.”

Shani initially found moving from Dannevirke to study at a tertiary educator daunting but within a couple of weeks she felt settled at EIT.

With lecturers making allowance for different learning styles, she has been able to work independently for some of the time. “I’ve also welcomed their constant support,” she adds.

ENDS

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