Can you tell us more about yourself?

I’m currently finishing my first year of studying Tourism Planning and Management BA. On top of my studies in the field of tourism, I also take Polylang Japanese classes at Westminster. I’m originally from Poland but I’ve been living in London for almost seven years now. I’m an enthusiast of anything geography related. I also really enjoy sewing, baking, music, and video games.

What made you choose the Tourism Planning and Management course?

I have always had a particular interest in geography, especially the human aspect of it that deals with matters of our actions and decision-making. Additionally, travelling has always been my deepest passion. I’ve always been very enthusiastic to discover new places, cultures, and people, and widen my horizons. As such, when looking through potential courses to take at university, upon seeing tourism, I knew immediately this is what I want to study.

What has your experience been so far?

Going to university, especially with English as my second language made me incredibly anxious at first. However, the University of Westminster has welcomed me with open arms. I particularly adore how diverse the environment is here – class discussions are very interesting with input from individuals with such varied backgrounds.

Can you tell us more about the culture at Westminster?

The people here are amazingly warm and supportive, willing to help you with any struggles you might face on campus and even beyond. Also, the location truly enriches my experience as a tourism student – I remember vividly, during one of my first classes, a discussion about tourist attractions in London and looking outside the window and seeing a prime example of that- Madame Tussauds. With such amazing support and help, I have learned valuable skills regarding academic writing and employability, but also more practical skills such as time management, and being more open to public speaking.

Can you talk through an assignment that you recently worked on?

The most recent assignment I am working on is proving to be challenging due to the very open nature of the brief. For the ‘Current Debates in Tourism’ module, we are tasked with choosing one of the topics we have studied recently and any relevant case studies to support our argument. With support from my tutors and lecturers, as well as tools such as workshops on how to write essays, I’ve been able to confidently tackle this brief. I have the opportunity and freedom to explore my interests and write an academic paper about what I’m truly passionate about. As a result, I’m working on a subject that I’ve enjoyed while investigating a case study from my home country. I’m excited to be able to explore my cultural background as part of my studies at Westminster.

Can you tell us more about your coursework?

Studying and listening to lectures can often be overwhelming, especially with the amount of reading we have to do. Fortunately, our tutors and lecturers recognise that, and therefore often diversify our learning methods, with interesting activities and workshops that stimulate our creativity. Here is an example of an activity during one of my classes in the Hospitality module in Tourism and Events, where we were tasked with designing our own restaurant concept.