Zichao Lu

Master of International Hospitality Management student

The learning environment and the people are what he is enjoying most about his studies, says Zichao Lu who came to AUT as an international student from China to study international hospitality management.

“The lecturers are very nice and approachable, so I never feel too much pressure when I want to ask questions or share my ideas. I also like that they don’t just care about academic results. They encourage us to develop our communication, confidence, practical skills and our own way of thinking. Students also come from many different backgrounds, so everyone can bring different experiences and ideas to class. I think this has helped me grow in many different ways, not only academically.”

He appreciates the emphasis on practical learning in his degree.

“My programme includes case studies, presentations, group projects and applied research based on real hospitality issues. We also have opportunities to connect what we learn in class with real situations in the industry. These experiences have helped me improve my communication, teamwork, research and problem-solving skills. I’ve also become more confident in presenting my ideas and working with people from different backgrounds.

“One thing I didn’t expect was how much practical experience I’d get from the Global Beverages course. We didn’t just learn about beverages from textbooks. We also made our own mead, experienced wine culture and learned more about cocktails. I really enjoyed these activities because they made the course more interesting and helped me understand the knowledge behind beverages in a practical way. Before this course, I didn’t realise there was so much history, culture and technique involved in this area.”

The right choice
For Zichao, coming to AUT for his studies was an easy decision.

“I’ve always been interested in the hospitality industry, and completed my bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. I wanted to continue developing my knowledge at a higher level, especially in hospitality operations, management, people management and current industry challenges. I also wanted to better understand how the hospitality industry works in New Zealand and internationally. I liked AUT’s practical and industry-focused approach to learning. Auckland is also a great place to study hospitality because there are many international hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses. Once I graduate, I’d like to continue working in the hotel industry, and I’m especially interested in front office and guest services because I enjoy talking with guests and helping them with different situations. I already have some experience in this area, so I’d like to keep building on this, and then move into a management role in the future.”

There are a few AUT staff whose support he has especially appreciated throughout his studies here.

“Professor Peter Kim was one of the first lecturers who helped me understand what research actually is. Before that, research felt quite unfamiliar to me, but his class gave me a basic idea of how research works and how to think about a topic properly. Dr Pola Wang also helped me understand the difference between an applied project and a dissertation when I was deciding which direction to take. I also used AUT’s Employability and Careers service when I was looking for a job alongside my studies. They helped me improve my CV and gave me some useful advice about the New Zealand job market. I really appreciated having support in both my studies and my career planning.”

Advice for other students
Expecting to complete his studies in 2027, Zichao has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. Especially if you’re an international student, sometimes you may worry about your English or feel nervous speaking in class. I felt the same at the beginning, but the more you speak, the easier it gets. I’d also suggest trying things outside the classroom, like volunteering, part-time work or university activities. I think those experiences can teach you things that you cannot always learn from an assignment.”

He wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT to other students.

“What I like about AUT is that studying here doesn’t feel like it’s only about assignments and grades. The lecturers are easy to talk to, and they’re happy to listen when you have a different opinion. I also met people from many different countries in class, so I get to hear different ideas and experiences. For me, that makes the classes much more interesting.”