Interview with Alex Hunstone — BSc ( Hons ) International Hospitality and Tourism Management
Management
About you
“ I ’ m 21 and from Southport , England and in Year Four of the International Hospitality and Tourism Management degree .
“ Due to my dad ’ s job , I lived in Saudi Arabia until I was eight and went to school there . Over the years I have travelled to many countries including , America , Canada and various countries in Europe .
“ When at home , I am a Brownie Leader , for the 48th Southport Brownies . I enjoy this very much as I see the girls grow and develop over the four years they are a Brownie . This has built on my leadership skills , but also allows me to revert back to my childhood of playing games and creating crafts . As well as a Brownie leader , I am also an assistant helper at the Griffin Scout Group . I was a Scout myself and it helped me make friends and provided me with some of the best experiences of my life . This summer we recently took the Scouts to Austria for two weeks on an adventure holiday .
“ My other hobbies include ballroom and Latin dancing , in which I am a trained teacher , and playing my flute .”
Why did you choose this course and QMU ?
“ This experience of living overseas sparked my interest in a career which involved travel and , after doing hospitality and tourism at A Level , I knew I wanted to study something similar at university . When choosing a university , I looked at courses which had both hospitality and tourism aspects . QMU became one of my first choices as it offered a work placement — most courses in England didn ’ t have the placement opportunity and I thought it would be more beneficial for my career if I chose a course which gave me industry experience .
“ At my first visit to QMU , I knew I wanted to come here : it was a campus-based university and quite small — just what I was looking for .”
Living away from home
“ I ’ ve lived in halls for the majority of my four years at QMU for various reasons . I never had high expectations of student residences , but it has been a good experience , with the best part being the people you meet . Your flatmates become your family away from home and make your university experience even better . I know that my various flatmates over the years will be friends for life . It is also so handy living on campus as you can virtually roll out of bed into class . The campus is also close to supermarkets and Fort Kinnaird — a constantly growing outdoor shopping complex , with a multiplex cinema and several restaurants which I go to regularly .
“ The campus is pretty close to Edinburgh city centre , which is great , allowing me to experience everything that Edinburgh has to offer .
“ I ’ ve had so many good times and unforgettable memories made in the city and I ’ m so grateful to have had the opportunity . From watching the Bonfire Night fireworks from on top of Carlton Hill , to attending the Christmas markets , and nights out on Rose Street .”
The course
“ The course included a nine month placement which for me took place at Walt Disney World in Orlando , Florida . These were some of the best months of my life — especially linked to the fact I ’ m a massive Disney kid at heart . I worked at Disney World in Orlando as a lifeguard at Magic Kingdom ’ s Contemporary Resort , as well as a character performer . I enjoyed being part of the most magical place on earth and seeing guests ’ reactions to Disney World . I then travelled around America for a month after my placement had finished . This made me realise that I love travelling and enjoy seeing different countries and cultures around the world .
“ I am a very practical learner , therefore by having work experience at Edinburgh New Town Cooking School was an experience I ’ ll never forget and one that I learnt a lot from . The best bit was when we put on a James Bond evening for guests . We also went to a whisky distillery and a beer brewery , as well as having a wine tasting seminar .”
Life as a student at QMU
“ I have been a member of the QMU dance society and performed with them at a competition in Loughborough . I joined the dance society as I love dancing and thought it would be a great way to meet people other than those on my course . I loved going to the competitions and winning society of the year with them in 2012 and 2013 .”
What are your plans now ?
“ True to expectation , my nine-month placement has greatly benefited me . After graduating from QMU , I returned to work for Disney at the Swan and Dolphin Resort , which is owned by Starwood and Marriot Hotels ( one of the biggest hospitality companies in the world ). I am working in Recreation and also being trained in Guest Services , Front Desk and Concierge . It has been a great experience and I am looking forward to the year ahead when I hope to advance my skill set and knowledge of the hospitality and tourism industry .”
Do you have any tips for potential students ?
“ If you ’ re interested in hospitality and tourism , then go for this course as it does focus on both aspects of the industry . Plus , the placement will definitely benefit you after graduation when looking for a future career , as employers will see you have industry experience . The course also develops your management skills as well , which is vital in the industry today .
“ I would say that my top tip for making the most of student life is trying to get involved in everything while at uni . Go to the Freshers ’ Fair where you ’ ll be able to sign up for these opportunities . It will be the way to make friends and experience the best bits of being a student .”
114
Interview with Alex Hunstone —
BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management
About you Living away from home
“I’m 21 and from Southport, England
and in Year Four of the International
Hospitality and Tourism Management
degree. “I’ve lived in halls for the majority of my
four years at QMU for various reasons. I
never had high expectations of student
residences, but it has been a good
experience, with the best part being the
people you meet. Your flatmates become
your family away from home and make
your university experience even better. I
know that my various flatmates over the
years will be friends for life. It is also so
handy living on campus as you can
virtually roll out of bed into class. The
campus is also close to supermarkets
and Fort Kinnaird — a constantly
growing outdoor shopping complex, with
a multiplex cinema and several
restaurants which I go to regularly.
“Due to my dad’s job, I lived in Saudi
Arabia until I was eight and went to
school there. Over the years I have
travelled to many countries including,
America, Canada and various countries
in Europe.
“When at home, I am a Brownie Leader,
for the 48th Southport Brownies. I enjoy
this very much as I see the girls grow
and develop over the four years they are
a Brownie. This has built on my
leadership skills, but also allows me to
revert back to my childhood of playing
games and creating crafts. As well as a
Brownie leader, I am also an assistant
helper at the Griffin Scout Group. I was a
Scout myself and it helped me make
friends and provided me with some of
the best experiences of my life. This
summer we recently took the Scouts to
Austria for two weeks on an adventure
holiday.
“My other hobbies include ballroom and
Latin dancing, in which I am a trained
teacher, and playing my flute.”
Why did you choose this course and
QMU?
“The campus is pretty close to Edinburgh
city centre, which is great, allowing me to
experience everything that Edinburgh
has to offer.
“I’ve had so many good times and
unforgettable memories made in the city
and I’m so grateful to have had the
opportunity. From watching the Bonfire
Night fireworks from on top of Carlton
Hill, to attending the Christmas markets,
and nights out on Rose Street.”
The course
“This experience of living overseas
sparked my interest in a career which
involved travel and, after doing hospitality
and tourism at A Level, I knew I wanted
to study something similar at university.
When choosing a university, I looked at
courses which had both hospitality and
tourism aspects. QMU became one of
my first choices as it offered a work
placement — most courses in England
didn’t have the placement opportunity
and I thought it would be more beneficial
for my career if I chose a course which
gave me industry experience. “The course included a nine month
placement which for me took place at
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
These were some of the best months of
my life — especially linked to the fact I’m
a massive Disney kid at heart. I worked
at Disney World in Orlando as a lifeguard
at Magic Kingdom’s Contemporary
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