Student Testimonials
Angela Towell – Hotel Division Manager
All About Travel – Portland, OR
My name is Angela Towell, I was a part of class 1105v, graduated Sept 21st. I meant to write you back way sooner but life happened and I’m just going through my inbox. I would love to come speak to classes if you would like. I got hired the day of graduation with All About Travel, Inc. A travel agency here in the metro area. Tigard specifically. I got hired as a Reservation Agent, but quickly got promoted to Hotel Division Manager,which is where I am for now. If I could offer words of encouragement for future students, it would defintely be to NOT give up. The time period of how long school is compared to how long the rest of our lives are is nothing. It was one of the smartest choices I made as a young adult, and single mother. You indeed start at the bottom when leaving school, but the key word is start. Where you go and where you take it is completely up to us. I loved school, I loved my teacher (Admir Sabic) and loved the whole experience. I would totally go back and do it again. If you have any questions feel free to contact me! 
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Henry P.H. Corpuz Jr. – Flight Attendant
Express Jet Airlines – Cleveland, OH
“I am a recent graduate of IAHA and now I’m a flight attendant for Express Jet which services Continental and United Express. Before attending IAHA I worked at many places such as a pharmacy, hardware store, ice cream parlor, and restaurant. Finally I decided I needed to achieve more in life and decided to start my career in the airline industry. My dream since I was a child was to work on an aircraft as a flight attendant, or pilot. By attending IAHA I learned the many different aspects of the airline industry from flight attendant terminology to ticket agents and many more. Just a few weeks before I graduated, Express Jet decided to hire me and upon graduating I had only a few days to get to training and start working as a flight attendant. Now I am happily based in Cleveland, OH working as an flight attendant for Express Jet Airlines. Thank you IAHA for helping me get this far in life and hope to see you all on a future flight.
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Kevin Pierson - Travel Agent
Kings House of Travel - Longview, WA
“I am proud to say that my amazing career is a full time travel agent. I love my job and I love everything that comes along with it, the benefits, the people, everything. I am the happiest I have been in a long time and I owe it to IAHA for getting my life back on track and getting me into the travel industry. Thank you all at IAHA!! Kings House of Travel is a small office company based in Longview WA. There are a total of 4 employees including the owner and accountant. This company was voted #1 Travel Agency in Cowlitz County. We are a close family and we are a team and we love working in the travel industry. Our business includes, Air, Cruises, Hotels, Car Rentals, Vacation Packages, you name it and we do it. We are here to help and assist with everyone’s travel and vacations needs.”
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Sharday Berry – Flight Attendant
Skybus – Greensboro, NC
“I serve as one of the many 1st flight attendants flying out of Greensboro, North Carolina for Skybus Airlines. Based out of Columbus, OH and Greensboro, NC, Skybus flies to the smaller, less congested airports. As time goes, Skybus plans to add more cities to their route!
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Rebecca J. Hays – Receptionist
Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau – Meadville, PA
“I answer telephones, mail out postage, type in events for the state/county website, and send out brochures of my county. I work in a small business building, where board meetings are held and brochures are made and sent out. It’s a great place to talk to people from not only this country, but from all over the world!”
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Norma Jean Siverson – Concierge
Multi-Services – Portland, OR
“I provide concierge services for residents in a high-end condo in the Portland’s Pearl District. We provide 24/7 service. I am meeting some delightful people and am enjoying compiling the desk resource book (local dining options, services & attractions). MSI is a large property management company in Portland and provides services to several complexes in the downtown area with several more to be completed within the next year.”
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Levi Flowers – Flight Attendant
Mesa Airlines – Washington DC
“I am working on an aircraft making the flight the best it can be for the passenger. Safety is the number one reason I am on the flight, making sure passengers remain seated and complying with all instructions. I maintain the aircraft. There is just so much we do it is hard to talk about everything. Mesa is a regional airline, serving the US, Canada, and Mexico. Mesa operates aircraft such as the Dash 8, CRJ 200, CRJ 700, and the CRJ 900. Their main base is located in Phoenix (PHX) and training is located here. Mesa has bases all over the US such as Washington DC (IAD), Chicago IL (ORD), Charlotte NC (CLT), and many more.”
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Amber Leopard – Ticket Counter & Gate Agent
Continental Airlines – Seattle, WA
“Working for Continental has changed my life in so many ways. I have the ability to travel all around the world, any time I choose! I love my career and wouldn’t change it for the world. Thank you so much IAHA! I couldn’t have done it without you!”
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Ashley Tullis – Customer Service Agent
Alaska Airlines – Seattle, WA
“I’m a ticket agent and soon I will move to the concourse and be a gate agent. I love it! I get to help people in all areas, just checking in for their flights, dealing with misconnected passengers, finding their lost luggage, finding them a hotel for the night, helping them with their travels, upgrading them to first class and so much more! Alaska Airlines was my dream company to work for! They have a fantastic attitude towards customer service and you never feel like just a number to them, they really make you feel like part of a family.”
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Shane Bechtol – Customer Service Agent
Alaska Airlines – Portland, OR
“I will be working as a customer service agent for Alaska Airlines here at the Portland airport! I am so excited to start my new job. I am currently in Seattle for my 5 week paid training before I start at PDX. Alaska Airlines has been great, and is so far the best company I have ever worked for!”
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Jennifer Reynolds – Graduate
“An amazing experience is the only way to describe International Air and Hospitality Academy. Yes, the curriculum is accelerated and extensive; however, the resources that are available, if utilized, will guarantee success. Attending the 20 week program for Airline/Travel Specialist allows unlimited capabilities throughout the ever changing industry. IAHA prepares their students in so many aspects: academically professionally and personally, the program even enhances communication skills and resume/cover letter preparation techniques which give their graduates a leading edge for employment. You wonder how I know, experience. I am honored to say, I graduated with honors on May 25th! This was one of the best decisions of my life.”
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Kathleen Colbert – Graduate
“Training went by so fast. I didn’t want to leave at the end. I made incredible life-long friends. I enjoyed every minute of my time there and will come back to visit.
My favorite part of going to that school was that I found friends from all over the world. Meeting new people makes the experience ten times better, but also having to meet a wonderful staff team that was always there for you in any situation. It is definitely a family friend environment. The curriculum is outstanding, I learned so much in just a short time. My teacher was amazing and really knew what he was doing. It was really easy to learn all the material and in a quick amount of time. I learned things I didn’t even know about the airline industry.
Advice for new students, don’t give up. There comes a time when you just get so tired and homesick but don’t give up because it is all worth it in the end. Rely on your friends in a time of need because they will always be there for you to push you through it and pick you up when needed the most.
Hope all is well, really miss you guys and the life I lived up there.”
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Jaqueline Dos Santos De Assis – Flight Attendant
JetBlue – Kew Gardens, NY
“I recently got my job with JetBlue… I’m just waiting to do my drug test and finger prints and then I will know when I start training. In regards to the school I really liked it especially the people there…
Thank you so much!”
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Keyonna Miller – Graduate
“I enjoyed the program I miss being there it was a wonderful experience. The program was very useful and I would recommend it to anyone that’s interested.”
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Chealsey Carter – Graduate
“My favorite part of this school is the fact that Mrs. Dugger is a positive, great teacher that knows the curriculum and really cares about all of her students.“
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Mason Machaet – Flight Attendant
Mesa Airlines – System Wide
“First of all I’d like to say thank you for the great wishes and that it was a great experience getting to know all of you at IAHA!
Yes, it is now time for graduation and as exciting as it sounds it’s also sad to be leaving so soon. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed the best learning experience there is to prepare students work towards their career.
And here is the best part… I went ahead and interviewed with Mesa Airlines for the flight attendant position and rocked it!! Training is to be announced, and may take a couple of months, which gives me time to get prepared!
To the future students at IAHA: “When the World tells you to quit, Hope whispers in your ears and tells you to try it one more time”!”
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Kiely Joyce – Flight Attendant
Mesa Airlines – System Wide
My favorite part of the school was being submersed into the airline and travel industry. Every other industry is different than the travel industry and having this experience has already advanced me ahead of the game. Just the other day I was on Indeed.com reading forums about the position I was applying for and I read some people’s complaints about the interview process. One complained that the airline recruiters were really stiff and way too strict. When I read that I chuckled because having attended IAHA I have learned that it’s the small details like dependability and promptness that can make or break your chances.
As far as interviewing and jobs go, I just applied for a Flight Attendant position and within three hours was invited to an interview next Tuesday. When I went to Tim in career development he had been talking with the recruiters and had helped to represent our school, and because of this I believe I was invited so fast.
For those students who are looking to launch their career in the airline industry, my best advice for them is to Go For It! What I mean by this is to put your all into everything you do whether it’s the computer aspects of the school, the resume, or even the codes and geography, the more eager and willing to learn you are the better. I have known since I applied for IAHA that I want to be a Flight Attendant and that was that. So when I studied computer and ticketing I could have simply slid by and not put as much effort into it as I did in the Flight Attendant aspects, but because I made sure to give my all I am more knowledgeable and valuable to a prospective employer. This is an amazing opportunity, so make the best of it! Good Luck!
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