Student Profile - Jonathan Smith

Highest Achievement in Masters Study and the John Slaughter Award for Overcoming Obstacles, MSc Hospitality with Tourism Management.

This summer he completed his MSc Hospitality with Tourism Management, gaining a Distinction grade for his outstanding coursework.

When he started the course in September 2008, Jonathan worked part time in the box office at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Previously fit and well, in 2005 he started to experience double vision and a year later a brain tumour was discovered which was initially diagnosed as small and benign.

This proved not to be the case however as in March 2007 Jonathan had to have emergency brain surgery as the tumour was in fact malignant the cancer had spread to his spine.

After a year of treatment, including radiotherapy, and even though his sight was dramatically affected by the tumour, Jonathan remained positive and battled to cope with his condition, so much so that he remained confident that he could take on a course and so enrolled at UCB.

Jonathan studied part time to gain his Masters degree and says he very much enjoyed the experience. Working closely with the study support team enabled him to tackle all his assignments and prepare for his exams and he is grateful to his tutors, family and friends for their support and encouragement.

He has now started a new job with a business development consultancy working on a tourism based digital media project and he plans to carry on working in the hospitality and tourism industry in the future.Everyone at UCB wishes Jonathan all the very best.

Jonathan’s prize; A bed and breakfast voucher for two kindly donated by Marriott Hotels

For further information please contact Jane Smith j.c.smith@ucb.ac.uk