New scheme combines work and study in USA

This summer will see the start of another opportunity for the College's students to gain work experience abroad, following the launch of a new programme in association with the University of Central Florida.

Participants will spend six months studying postgraduate certificates in hospitality management at the university in Orlando, combined with time on work experience with Walt Disney World, working in various customer service roles at the park.

Their course will cover issues such as events management, hospitality, tourism and communications from an American perspective, and has no exams, with students marked entirely on their attendance and participation in seminars and workshops.

Jason Smith from scheme arrangers Yummyjobs said: "The College and the University of Central Florida were really the perfect match to pilot this scheme.

"Whatever job the students do, it will give them a great insight into the hospitality industry in the USA and the high standards of customer service Disney has, and they will be able to develop in their role and take what they learn into their future careers."

The first group of around 30 will be a mixture of MSc Hospitality with Tourism students taking the optional six-month placement as part of their course, and MA or BA students who are graduating this summer. Some will fly out in July, while others will follow in October.

College Industrial Placement Co-ordinator Tracy Haupt said: "We're very excited by this new programme and the response we've had to it, and we hope it will be a great success and continue to grow in the future."