April (Jiayin) Zhou
Founder, ToSee Events Ltd
Founder, InLight NZ–China Arts & Culture Education Trust
Graduate Diploma in Arts in Event Management
The opportunity to work on applied, real-world projects that required creativity and practical thinking was one of the highlights of her time at AUT, says April (Jiayin) Zhou.
“The programme placed a strong emphasis on applied learning, including group projects, industry-based assignments and opportunities to engage with real stakeholders. These experiences required us to work within real constraints – including time, budget and expectations – rather than ideal scenarios. Through this, I developed a clearer understanding of the full event process, from concept to delivery and reflection.
“In particular, learning about sponsorship and funding gave me practical tools to rethink how events could be structured and supported. Before starting the programme, I had already been organising small-scale activities independently, and one of the challenges I often faced was funding. Through my studies, I gained a clearer understanding of how to position an event, identify potential partners and align different stakeholders’ interests. This helped reduce much of the uncertainty I previously felt. Another highlight was contributing to projects like the Digital Aging Seminar and the Fabricate activation at the 7 Experiences Summit. What made these experiences meaningful was that I could apply what I learned directly to my own community-based work, which made the learning feel very immediate and real.”
She is proud of what she achieved throughout her studies.
“One of my key academic achievements at AUT was achieving consistently strong results across the programme, with an overall A to A+ average. This outcome was particularly meaningful to me, as I was returning to formal study after more than ten years. I made a conscious effort to rebuild my academic skills from the beginning, including attending pre-semester workshops on research, writing and referencing, which helped me establish a solid foundation. Alongside academic work, I also focused on applying what I learned in real contexts. Being able to connect theory with practice was an important part of my learning experience and contributed to my overall performance. This approach has also informed my recent community-based projects, including a mock trial session designed to help new migrant families better understand New Zealand’s legal system.”
Creating real experiences
April now enjoys managing the two businesses she has founded – ToSee Events Ltd and InLight NZ–China Arts & Culture Education Trust – and is busy designing a variety of community-based cultural and educational programmes.
“What I enjoy most about event management is the ability to create experiences that bring people into meaningful engagement with ideas, cultures and each other. I’m particularly interested in using events as a bridge – creating spaces where people can interact, communicate and gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives. I also value how these experiences can strengthen connections, not only between people, but also between individuals and their environment, whether that is nature, history or the broader world around them. Seeing these connections gradually form through participation is what makes this work meaningful to me.”
She says she didn’t fully anticipate the confidence her studies would give her to move forward with her ideas despite practical constraints.
“Before my Graduate Diploma in Arts, I often felt limited by factors such as funding, scale or resources. Through my studies, I began to understand that these are part of the process, and that it’s often possible to work with them rather than seeing them as limitations. This has made me more willing to try things, test ideas and gradually turn them into real experiences.”
Advice for other students
April – who came to event management after several years of experience in real estate sales and marketing – has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.
“Make full use of the support and resources available at AUT, especially at the beginning of your studies. Pre-semester workshops on research, writing and referencing can make a significant difference in helping you build a solid foundation and transition smoothly into academic study. At the same time, stay open-minded and actively engage with practical opportunities. The value of the programme comes from applying what you learn, not just understanding it in theory.”
There’s plenty of support for AUT students, she adds, and says there are a few staff whose support she particularly appreciated.
“Dr Sandra Goh had a meaningful influence on my learning experience. Through her teaching, I developed a more structured way of thinking about how to move from ideas to actual delivery. Her courses encouraged both practical execution and reflection, which has shaped how I approach my work now.
“AUT’s student support services played an important role, especially at the beginning of my studies. Having been away from formal education for over ten years, I found the pre-semester workshops particularly helpful. I attended a range of online sessions covering academic research, the use of AI tools, writing structure and referencing. These workshops gave me a solid foundation before the programme started and made the transition back into study much smoother. Being able to access clear information through the website and receive timely support through email also made a big difference.”
