Tourism and Hospitality Management Students undergoing US Work and Travel Program: A Phenomenological Inquiry

Authors

  • Steven N. Sasam University of San Jose-Recoletos
  • Gelena N. Asis-Dimpas University of San Jose-Recoletos
  • Antoniette Dayagbil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32871/rmrj1503.01.11

Keywords:

International Internship, international placement, on-line media, computer-mediated conferencing, internship experiences

Abstract

Tourism professionals expect universities to produce graduates who could deliver and perform functions based on industry standards. Universities have long integrated International Placements to heighten student competencies, bridge the gap between theoretical awareness and industry practice, and meet the expectations of the practitioners. However, there have been reports of unfavorable encounters of students on placement abroad such as being homesick, feeling out of place, and difficulty in reconciling expectation-reality gaps. These are the key issues that hinder students from optimizing international exposure programs and compromise the quality of their learning. A phenomenological study was used to examine the lived experiences of the tourism and hospitality management students on international placement. An in-depth interview was conducted as the primary source of data collection. The data were coded and analyzed according to the research questions. The research resulted in three (3) major themes which emerged out of the experiences shared by the student interns: 1.) struggles experienced in foreign country; 2.) skills/strategies to cope with the adversities; 3.) interns communication practices. The results of this study served as the basis in enhancing the e monitoring support system for the internship coordinator in the home university.

Author Biographies

Steven N. Sasam, University of San Jose-Recoletos

is a senior faculty member of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Department.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Hotel and Restaurant Management degree from University of San Jose-Recoletos. He obtained his Master of Management degree from the University of the Philippines. He is a candidate of PhD in Technology Management.
Mr. Sasam is also a pioneer of the International Practicum for Hospitality Management Program of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Department of the University of San Jose-Recoletos. As a participant of an international placement in college, he is passionate about developing systems that allow students to cope up with cultural diversity. One of which is the optimization of Facebook Group in facilitating class discussion and learning.

Gelena N. Asis-Dimpas, University of San Jose-Recoletos

is a senior faculty member of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Department. She graduated with a Bachelor of Tourism degree and finished her Master of Management in Business Management from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She obtained her Master of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of the Philippines. She is a candidate of PhD in Technology Management.
Ms. Asis-Dimpas is also acoordinator of International Internship for Tourism Program. She is currently working on a project on itinerary planning utilizing e-learning activities and global distribution systems. Her background on the operations of the travel trade sector fuels her interest in web-based learning, on-line travel booking and the role of mobile apps in promoting tourist destinations.

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Published

2015-06-30

How to Cite

Sasam, S. N., Asis-Dimpas, G. N., & Dayagbil, A. (2015). Tourism and Hospitality Management Students undergoing US Work and Travel Program: A Phenomenological Inquiry. Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.32871/rmrj1503.01.11

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Articles

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