Kim Keromen

Master of Business Management student
Bachelor of Arts in Event Management and Global Tourism

She has always loved events and tourism, says Kim Keromen who came to AUT as an international student from Tahiti in French Polynesia, and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Event Management and Global Tourism.

“Since I was very young I’ve been passionate about events, travels and hospitality, and more recently I’ve also become interested in sustainable tourism. I’ve previously completed certificates and diplomas in tourism and travel management at a private school, but my instinct told me to pursue a university degree where I can use my creative side related to the event, hospitality and digital industries. Studying event management and global tourism has been intense, but I feel very confident about the skills I’ve learnt over the past few years.”

There were plenty of highlights for her throughout her Bachelor of Arts degree.

“One highlight in my third year was my workplace experience. One of my lecturers asked me to work as the social media marketing assistant for the AUT School of Hospitality and Tourism. My favourite moments were the conversations with students, lecturers and sometimes industry professionals, planning my content calendar, interviewing people, designing new templates for the faculty and of course learning every day about the marketing and social media worlds.

“Another standout moment was when my tourism classmates and I presented a few solutions to the New Zealand International Convention Centre team to improve the accessibility of their website. I also loved when my event classmates and I realised our first event production. It was stressful but in the end it was definitely a success. Our event was an evening for international students from the School of Hospitality and Tourism; filled with cultural performances, New Zealand quizzes, games, food and gifts! The most emotional highlight of my last year as a Bachelor of Arts student was my graduation. I was surrounded by my family, my classmates and my lecturers for this unforgettable moment, and I’ll cherish it forever.”

The right university environment
Kim says she chose to come to AUT based on the recommendations of industry professionals, and because her inner voice said it would be the right university for her. That inner voice proved to be right.

“When you come from a little island of the Pacific, you realise how lucky and how blessed you are when you have the opportunity to study overseas and to study at a world-class university like AUT. I’ve enjoyed talking to my lecturers about their previous careers, and asking them for feedback to help me be better and more efficient in my assessments and personal journey. The AUT lecturers are amazing and encourage us to succeed in our future career.

“I’ve also found the classes and studying spaces very comfortable, and have met classmates who are very nice and very sociable. As I love being alone on my free time between classes, Newsfeed café at the AUT City Campus is definitely my go to place for a break and to grab one of their coffees.”

In her second year she also had the opportunity to travel to China after being recommended by one of her lecturers, and it’s an achievement she is particularly proud of.

“I was nominated as one of the students to join the University of Macau Partners Summer Camp, a four-day summer camp in Macau, China. This experience will forever be in my heart and my mind! I’d encourage other students to focus on getting good grades and sharing your personality in your classes; you never know, there may be an opportunity in your future. Shoutout to my lecturer Madz Crouth for nominating me for this opportunity!”

Advice for other students
Now enrolled in AUT’s Master of Business Management, Kim has some great advice for other students.

“The advice I’d give other student is to always believe in yourself and your dreams, put aside your ego and be an example for the future generations.”

She says she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT to other students.

“You can feel it’s a great university. I feel safe walking around the campus, I feel understood by my lecturers and other AUT staff, and the lectures and tutorials are very interesting. We have everything we need to succeed at AUT.”