Why did you decide to study tourism? Why did you choose to study at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts?
I have always had a strong passion and drive to study tourism as it opens many opportunities for having an international career and it helps you develop strong communication and foreign language skills. I chose the degree at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts mainly because of the focus on business administration and the flexible study schedule. Additionally, Switzerland as a choice of destination has played an important role in my decision.
How can the knowledge that you learnt during your studies be applied?
The degree has given me up-to-date knowledge about the tourism sector which I found useful on a daily basis at my work. What I found really valuable are the skills I acquired through learning how to work efficiently in groups with my colleagues, as well the work on various case studies and company site visits which have helped me develop better my analytical and problem solving skills.
Did the University prepare you well for the working world?
Yes. It has given me a good foundation to further develop my skills and expertise in the working world.
You found a job quickly after your studies. What do you recommend to students?
I recommend starting with the job search early, to be very proactive, flexible and to consider various options for employment. Before joining UNWTO, I had been applying to many other positions. This has helped me get a sense of the current job market and the employability skills demanded from the positions I was interested in.
What is your current job and responsibility?
I am intern at UNWTO. I work within the Affiliate Members Programme which main goal is to facilitate public-private partnerships between the member states of the organization and the private sector. My main responsibilities are assisting in membership development activities, account management and planning and coordinating conferences and official meetings. I am also actively collaborating with UNWTO Affiliate Members in writing technical and administrative reports on various tourism related topics.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
As I am working within the UN system, I found it very challenging to adapt to the working culture which differs significantly from the private sector.
Why did you decide to study Tourism? Why did you choose to study at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts?
During my bachelor’s studies in Business Administration with a major in Banking and Finance, I started to feel the need for a challenge that was different compared to the mathematically oriented subjects of Business Administration, so I desired to do a major which offered more diversity and creativity. Tourism seemed to be the perfect choice. But the crucial factor in studying Tourism in general, and in deciding for the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts was the option of participating in the dual degree and benefitting from an additional degree in Event Management.
Why did you decide to participate in the dual degree programme with Edinburgh Napier University?
The option of receiving two independent master’s degrees in two complementary working fields (Event Management and Tourism) was the decisive factor in participating in the programme. Additionally, gathering experiences abroad, writing a thesis relevant to both programmes, and completing a few additional ECTS credits was an additional benefit.
How can the knowledge that you learnt during your studies be applied?
The theoretical knowledge gathered during my studies can be implemented to increase a company’s performance in various respects. Additionally, the many tips and tricks gathered from the practical experience of the professors helped me to quickly feel comfortable in the business world. With the knowledge gathered during my studies it would be easily possible to start my own business in a respective field.
Did the Lucerne School of Business and Edinburgh Napier University prepare you well for the working world?
Yes, but it is definitely up to the student to implement the knowledge in practice.
What was, is, or will be the major benefit of the dual degree programme?
It gives me more flexibility in searching for a job as I have experience in two complementary fields. Additionally, I can demonstrate having passed two degrees, one from a university which teaches with a research orientation and one from a university of applied sciences and arts which teaches in an industry-oriented manner.
What do you recommend to students?
If you are interested in pursuing a career where a combination of two complementary working fields (in this case Event Management and Tourism) can be of importance, the dual degree is a very beneficial and timesaving option. Studying for one semester abroad in a beautiful city like Edinburgh and getting to know many new people are additional pluses. If you intend to do the dual degree it is important to be flexible, stress resistant and well organised.
Where do you wish to pursue your career next?
I intend to start working in the events industry to gather more practical experience and implement my learning in the working world.
Why did you decide to study tourism? Why did you choose to study at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts?
Since I was a child, I always dreamt of exploring the world: travelling across the globe and meeting new people and cultures. In the end, the possibility of discovering new places encouraged me to study tourism. Lucerne is the storybook Swiss city – in a tiny space! Every year, millions of tourists travel to this beautiful city. The city radiates a combination of Swiss nature and the modern cosmopolitan flair. Furthermore, my investigation has shown that there aren’t that many schools offering a degree in the field of tourism.
How can the knowledge that you learnt during your studies be applied?
During my studies, I have learnt to structure complex topics and to think in a holistic way. Furthermore, the school put great emphasis on interdisciplinary work. Nothing should be looked upon in isolation. (I have a greater understanding now than during my studies).
Did the University prepare you well for the working world?
During the studies, group work was highly encouraged. Students came from all over the world. This consequently led to interesting cultural exchanges. These experiences continue to prove to be valuable with the ongoing globalization of the business world.
You found a job quickly after your studies. What do you recommend to students?
Don’t panic! While studying I still had enough time to work part-time and therefore gain some work experience. Furthermore, the school is very keen on educating not just theoreticians, but implementing know-how in a practice-oriented manner.
What is your responsibility?
I am working in an international hotel chain, where I am responsible for corporate customers.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
The greatest challenge in tourism is the growing mobility and the insatiable wish to explore new destinations. Travel has become a lot easier and more affordable, leading to more people wanting to travel across the globe. Nevertheless, this development poses a threat to sustainable tourism.
