Paula Gomes

Paula Gomes

"When I moved here from South America I still had a very Spanish mentality. I felt quite different. I would go home and literally cry to my mum."

I would think in Spanish, my teacher would be talking to me in English but I would translate it in my own head in Spanish, so it was quite exhausting and really hard for me! I felt quite different. I would go home and literally cry to my mum.

We also learn how politics, the economy and society, impact UK tourism.

My mum was a big support and the teacher supported me by explaining things more easily and that just helped me so much.

On the Travel & Tourism course we learn about resort reps, tour operators, travel agencies, UK airports and airports worldwide. We are taught about customer service, health and safety procedures, and how an organisation works. We also learn how politics, the economy and society, impact UK tourism.

Last year we had work experience which really does help with the course as you’re in the travel and tourism workplace so you deal with customers and guests, and you also get to go on trips.

We visited the London Eye and a Sorrento trip is planned, depending on the global travel situation due to coronavirus. We went to Thorpe Park theme park where we were involved with meetings about customer service. We also learned about signage around the park and were assigned with leading visitors to different attractions.

I think that if you have the correct mindset and are in the right place then you will be able to achieve whatever you want to in life.

The personal skills I have gained in college include increased independence, the importance of time management and making new friends. Before college, I was very closed off, but I’m communicating better and it’s made it easier for me and helped me to grow.

College does change you a bit. I think that if you have the correct mindset and are in the right place then you will be able to achieve whatever you want to in life. I would definitely recommend college because of that.