Study abroad at UCLan

Would you like to study abroad as part of your degree?

UCLan is holding a series of Wokshops designed to help choose between studying in Australia, Canada, Europe and the USA, or a work placement in the EU.

Details on the Workshops can be found here. For more information please email the Study Abroad Team.

Get into Teaching

Are you interested in a career in Teaching?

UCLan's Careers and Employability Service have arranged a series of events designed to help you get into teaching.

Full details on all the events can be found here.

Booking is essential - please email futures@uclan.ac.uk to reserve your place.

Lakeland Sustainable Tourism Fourm

Dr Jo Guiver from the SSTO's Institute of Transport and Tourism took part in the recent Lakeland Sustainable Tourism Forum.

This brought together organisations such as Nurture Lakeland, Cumbria Tourism, Friends of the Lake District, the Lake District National Park Authority, Cumbria Business Environment Network, Morecambe Bay Partnership, Nurture Eden, transport and accommodation providers and others in the tourism industry, to help make the Lake District a green and attractive tourist destination. Also in attendance was Andrea Nicholas, the managing director of Green Tourism.

Nurture Lakeland reported on their research into Environmental Quality Marks and what tourism businesses gain from becoming accredited and on a new project to reduce the energy used in holiday lets.

Jo (pictured above - 3rd left) said the Forum will help enhance our students' learning experience: "As always with the Forum, I felt as though I got more out than I put in. The information about the specific difficulties of insulating traditional properties and trying to change guest behaviour without detracting from their holiday will definitely be fed back to Tourism and Hospitality students studying how to make tourism more sustainable."

Are budget airlines bad for us?

Mark Smith of Seat61.com, an advocate for train and ferry travel, debates budget air travel with Guardian transport correspondent Gwyn Topham. Does it take the joy out of journeys? Or is the opening up of foreign travel to millions of people on modest incomes a great social good?

Greenways and Sustainable Tourism

OMAN TOURISM MINISTRY HITS THE ROAD WITH A THREE-DAY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL AND TOURISM SOUK

The Oman Ministry of Tourism will be on the road next
month for a three day roadshow starting on 1 October at Glasgow’s Blythswood Square. This will be followed
by events at On the 7th

Cycling and Society Symposium

UCLan's Dr Richard Weston was the host at the recent 10th annual Cycling and Society Symposium.

The event, held at Tyn Dwr Outdoor Centre, saw nearly 40 academics and interest groups from around the world meet to discuss the development of cycling for both everyday and leisure use.

A variety of speakers looked at different topics with a view to understanding developments within the research community, what the future holds and how the wider cycling world is changing.

Dr Weston, Director of the University's Institute of Transport and Tourism, said: "This was a tremendously successful event, bringing together people with a genuine desire to promote the value of cycling.

"Everyday life based around bicycles instead of cars would create a happier, healthier society and benefit everyone, including those who don't cycle. The Institute, in conjunction with Cycling and Society, remains committed to open and critical inquiry into cycling and its promotion."

Delegates who attended the Symposium have kindly given permission for their presentations to be showcased online. Just click on the names to view.

Andre Neves
Damien Ó Tuama
David Raffo
Dave Horton
Emese Mako
Heather Jones
Jennifer Bonham
Paul Schepers
Pedro Malpica
Tim Jones

Dave Horton's excellent 'Thinking About Cycling' blog can be viewed here.

Students enjoy Team Spirit

New UCLan Tourism undergraduates have been taking part in a team-building event alongside students from our Hospitality and Event courses.

It has been planned and organised by Jade Winders and Shauna Greensmith who have just completed a 48-week placement with Team Spirit.

They are being assisted by Alex Grebenar, who is a UCLan Event Management graduate and who will be shortly undertaking a PhD in the School. Event Managers from Team Spirit are also in attendance.

In the first part of the event the students will be attempting Accumulator, where participants undertake a wide variety of practical, performance and lateral thinking challenges. The event will culminate in a fashion show, where students have to make items out of what is available and then parade them on the catwalk.

Britain's Personal Best

CSV Media in Preston are looking for people to get involved and encourage others to take part in one of the first ever Personal Best Weekends in October 2013.

To celebrate Britain's Personal Best they will be running a one day event on Preston Flag Market, Saturday 12 October 2013. The family event will have children’s entertainment, live music, dance and will be attended by many local businesses, schools and charities. For further details please click here. There are also a number of job opportunities available at the event which can be found here.

As part of the Britain's Personal Best campaign students are invited to take part in an abseiling event at the Holiday Inn, Preston on 5th October for St Catherines Hospice. Anyone interested please email Holly Wignall.

Tourism students to attend masterclass

Eight exceptional UCLan Tourism students have been selected to join a Masterclass at RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

The two-day interdisciplinary and transnational workshop takes place during October, with around 50 students from across Europe expected to attend. This is Europe's first project focused on improving 'slow' as opposed to 'high-speed' rail networks. Like high speed rail, slow rail is linked with social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable territorial development, but finds itself under threat from falling public subsidies.

However, there are opportunities to strengthen regional rail, by encouraging its use and through new partnerships with the general public. The Masterclass will see students exchange knowledge and ideas on station development plans, with a view to increasing people's involvement in the planning process.

Dr Richard Weston, Director of SSTO's Institute of Transport & Tourism, believes the Masterclass is an excellent opportunity: "We are delighted our students have been chosen to take part in this event, which will hopefully help improve the ways the European rail network is developed in the future.

"In addition, this is a great chance for UCLan students to expand their global horizons, as part of our commitment to providing them with a world-class learning experience."

Simon says yes to placement

We recommend all our Tourism students undertake a work placement to help their future career prospects.

Simon Haseldine spent a year with AMF Bowling and believes this was extremely worthwhile: "I thought it was vital for me to do a placement in the UK because there was more chance of progressing throughout the Tourism sector.

"My experience of working was invaluable to me, as it meant I had the chance to do some manager training in order to give me a better chance of employment after graduating.

"During my placement I learned all the daily managerial duties and I feel the experience has given me more confidence, extra independence and helped me get a better understanding of the industry.

"I would highly recommend the placement year as you learn so much more by being able to transfer your classroom skills into workplace skills."

Hot Topics in Tourism

World Tourism Day is on 27 September. This year’s theme focuses on 'Tourism and Water' so to tie in with this top academic publishers Taylor and Francis have launched 'Hot Topics in Tourism' as their September theme of the month.

The collection brings together the following five hot topics in the field of Tourism to help start the new academic year and celebrate World Tourism Day: water, sustainability, food tourism, tourism management and visitor attractions.

The selection of articles has been made free to access until 30 September and can be viewed here.

Disney delight for Adam

Our placement opportunities for Tourism students are extremely varied.

Adam Smith spent a year working at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and thinks the experience has made him a stronger individual.

Adam has kindly offered his thoughts on his time in Florida: "As a Tourism student I didn’t think there was a better place to spend my year anywhere other than the world’s biggest name in the industry.

"During the year I had three different job roles, initially working in Merchandise at Hollywood Studios. I then moved to the Operations section at the same park, which included Parade Control and audience control at Fantasmic.

"The final six months I worked as a Character Performer which was a lot of fun. All the roles were very different and they all had their challenges, but it was all part of the adventure and I feel stronger in myself for overcoming them.

"The overall experience was awesome and so valuable for gaining useful transferable skills such as communication, guest service and organisation. Looking back I've grown so much, not only in my skills set but also as a person.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity and would advise the experience to anyone, as it was arguably the best year of my life."

Whitney's year in the sun

Our students are provided with many opportunities to gain valuable work experience.

Whitney Hawkins spent her placement year working in the Iberostar Hotel Las Dalias in Tenerife and believes the experience will help her career in the future.

"My placement involved working for six months in the bar and restaurant department, before moving onto the reception.

"While in Tenerife I saw first hand the effort and hard work involved in running a hotel and gained some valuable skills that will benefit me in my future career.

"I also picked up the basics of Spanish which I hope to continue to learn. I would recommend the placement year to everyone as it really is one of the best years of the course.

"It can be challenging at times but the memories and experiences will stay with you forever."

Tourism student explores France

Our Tourism students are encouraged to travel to widen their global horizons.

After finishing his first year of studies, Ben Chadwick spent just under three weeks with a friend who lives in Normandy, France.

Ben takes up the story: "We travelled across Normandy visiting the coastal areas and stunning countryside of Northern France, whilst based in a small seaside village just 10 miles north of Caen.

"During our time spent in Normandy, we did activities such as swimming, as well as canoeing down a scenic river in Pont d'Ouilly. We also explored the traditional French town of Caen, witnessing the French culture and the historic aspect to the town.

"After eight days, we travelled from Caen to the small town of Prades, located within the Pyrenees - a twelve hour trip. Prior to arriving in Prades, we spent the night in the medieval city of Carcassonne, sampling local dishes such as 'Casserole' and 'Creme Catalan' before exploring the historic castle.

"While in Prades, we went on hikes up numerous mountains in the Pyrenees. These walks offered spectacular scenery, with fantastic views of the mountain ranges and nearby local villages. These strenuous hikes took between 5-6 hours most days, but the rewards of reaching the summit were definitely worth it.

"The peak of Mount Carlit, one of the highest mountains in the eastern Pyrenees, stands at almost 10,000 feet. This particular hike was a personal favourite of mine, despite the physical challenge of conquering it. All things considered, I had a great time in France."

Employment opportunities

UCLan's CallNorthWest team are looking to appoint a Support Intern. The position is full-time (12 week contract) so would suit a former student, although current students on a part-time basis would also be considered. The closing date for applications is today - for further details click here.

Northumberland National Park Authority is looking to appoint an Engagement Officer to develop and deliver projects and activities in respect of education and lifelong learning, interpretation and community celebration, public events, wider social inclusion and audience development. For further details click here.