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Hi, my name is Ania. For the last couple of months I have been studying Travel & Tourism at TAFE, Sydney…and for those last couple of months I cannot believe that studying can be so pleasantJ How is that possible? It’s just is! It is not studying like in Poland where at your final exam you gain 100 % of your mark. In Australia the system is different. You work for your final mark through whole period of the subject (one subject can go for 4,8,10 or 18 weeks). In the meantime you have 2 or 3 tests, sometimes a project to do – all that works for your mark. My subjects are: - Galileo – reservation system of air tickets, hotels, and car rentals. After I have completed 18 weeks of the subject we had a computer test, after which I got a Diploma from Galileo Company in USA. - Domestic and International Airfares – everything about air tickets, flight reservation, how to construct an airfare, rules and taxes. - Australia and Pacific Products – geography of Australia and Pacific as well as what kind of tourism products these areas offer. - Destination Information Knowledge – geography of the world. - Non-Air Documentation – everything about traveling by rail, coach and ship. Also about insurance and traveler’s cheques. - Selling Skills – how to convince the customer, that your offer is the best he/she could only find. My favourite subjects are Australia and Pacific Produtcs and Destination Information Knowledge – our teacher, Chris, has traveled almost everywhere in the world so he has a collection of 10000 photos and videos from travel shows, therefore our classes aren’t just boring lectures but it is an adventure – every time I feel like I am in the destination that Chris is just talking about. Having finished Certificate IV I am on the stage of doing Diploma and Advanced Diploma in 18 weeks. Subjects changed a lot – they are not much about travel anymore. They are management subjects, like: Preparing Operational/Business Plan, Marketing, Managing Physical Assets, Preparing Budget also subject concerning employing, training and inducting staff. To complete our course we are required to do a week of work experience in any of the many travel agencies, like STA, Club Med, Country Link or Thai Airways (with the last option students spend one day working on the airportJ ) TAFE co-operates with Student Association, thanks to which students can get discounts when buying books, dvd/cd or even tickets to the movies. Even though TAFE is not the cheapest offer for international students about 4500 Aud/semester (still cheaper that university) I think it is worth it. TAFE certificates are much more recognizable than any other private college. Besides by finishing Diploma or Advanced Diploma at TAFE you can shorten your uni path by 12 or even 18 months. For more information have a look at www.tafensw.edu.au or write: poland@wsia.com.au | 
