Delving into the world of tourism

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tourism

After completing MBA with a specialisation in Tourism, I wanted to pursue a Master’s degree that would allow me to get an overview of how tourism industry works globally. In addition, I wanted to expand my academic understanding on the significant aspects of the industry.
After gaining some work experience, I chose to study at Southern Cross University in Australia to further my passion to help people see and explore the world in a nuanced manner.
Unique offerings
What cemented my decision to study at the School of Business and Tourism at Southern Cross University is the fact that it has a very good reputation in Asia and the Pacific for the subject. What also attracted me was the fact that the university is located on the Gold Coast, which is considered to be Australia’s tourism capital. As a result, I was able to connect with various people from the tourism industry during my time here.
The course that I did, International Tourism and Hotel Management, also had very interesting units that no other university in Australia offered at that time. For instance, subjects such as International Tourism Systems and Sustainable Tourism Management were offered.
The unique nature and content of the course and Gold Coast’s location meant I could surf in the morning, study during the day and be amazed by the glowworm caves in the night. Furthermore, access to exclusive professional development opportunities and being able to connect with key industry leaders also meant that my career in a destination marketing organisation was established well before my graduation.
When I first moved here, it was a bit challenging as I was living in a country that I had not been to before. However, this made it very exciting as well. During the Orientation Week, I was welcomed by the university and the School of Business and Tourism. During this week, a lot of university services were introduced to us. We also had a session on how classes take place at university and what we can expect. This was particularly helpful for me as our academic system in India is different to that of Australia. I was introduced to the Career Services Counsellors, who help you right from the commencement of the study through to graduation to help you stay on the right career pathway.
Several opportunities
Gold Coast is a very liveable city. Coming from Mumbai, which is a massive city that is super busy and never sleeps, it’s a big adjustment coming to a laid back city like Gold Coast which has a wonderful work-life balance.
You can cycle anywhere and the public transport is never crowded, so it’s a more comfortable and relaxed experience navigating the city. I also had a student concession on all public transports, which is very handy when you’re living on a tight budget as a student.
As for the university life is considered, there was plenty of scope for innovation. So, I took the opportunity to form Southern Cross University’s first debating society on the campus and was also actively involved in the student association.
During my time here, I also had the opportunity to work for the university’s annual cultural festival called Fusion. Fusion Festival stands for unity in diversity and celebrates and acknowledges that we are all different. For me, it was fascinating to see how many different cultures were represented by the students on campus.
There were students in traditional attire from India, Eastern Europe, Japan and Canada. Even meeting students from other parts of India was a treat for me. It was during this time, I was able to see how diverse the university was.
In 2015, I had the distinction of being appointed as one of the Mayor’s Student Ambassadors. During that year, I had the opportunity to represent India, Gold Coast and Southern Cross University at various state government level and industry conferences and delegations in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Brisbane and Melbourne. I am now working in Gold Coast, facilitating the enrichment of the student experience for those who choose to study here.
In the short time I have spent here, I have gained a wealth of experience that has enabled me to start a promising career.

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