Student Profile - Ruth Boateng

MSc Hospitality with Tourism Management

I've been involved in education since 1987 when I began to teach catering at Tamale Polytechnic in Northern Ghana; I stayed there until 1992, gaining a certificate in education and teaching in 1991.

In 1992 I transferred to Kumasi Polytechnic, and then I went to study a BSc in Tourism at The University of Cape Coast returning to my teaching at Kumasi Polytechnic in 2003 where I am the Head of the Catering Department.

In 2008 my institution approached the Ghanaian government to get me sponsorship to study a master's degree using the GETFUND scheme; I was successful in getting funding so I looked around for institutions to study at. I looked at the UCB website and consulted two colleagues who had previously studied here and made my choice.

The journey here was a long one and my arrival at the end of January coincided with the heaviest snowfalls of the winter, arriving from Ghana this was my first experience of the UK and seeing snow for the first time is something I won't forget. Once I finally arrived in Birmingham I joined the Orientation programme which helped me to settle in to my new surroundings, the highlight of that week and perhaps the cultural highlight of my time in the UK so far, was going on a trip to Warwick and climbing the 530 steps up to the battlements of Warwick Castle.

Studies at felt a little confusing to me but the lecturers and programme managers are so approachable and open that I felt I was able to go to them with any concerns I had; and soon got into the rhythm of my studies. I hope to be able to do a placement with Disney at the end of my studies then return to my teaching in Ghana with new ideas and ways of studying that I can pass on to my students.