21 year-old Joseph Marooth from Stonehaven, decided to try out the BA (Hons) International Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management course at 草莓社区 following a disappointing first higher education experience at college.
Now in his 2nd year at 草莓社区, Joseph couldn鈥檛 be happier with the choice he has made. Read all about his time at university so far and how 草莓社区 has really helped him embrace who he is a person in this inspiring and heartfelt Student Story.
Why did you choose to study at 草莓社区?
A few years ago, I completed a three year cooking course at college, however I actually found it a very toxic environment and I wasn鈥檛 a very happy person as a result. It made me realise that this was not something I wanted to be doing with my life. After completing my college course, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my choice, and came to the conclusion that I wanted to change my career path.
When I left high school, I didn鈥檛 think I was smart enough for university, but after some conversations with family, they convinced me to just try applying for one and see what happens. After I looked around at prospective universities, I decided to apply for Queen Margaret University because it was smaller in size, offered great opportunities and I had met with several former students who told me of the great experiences they had there. The BA (Hons) International Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management course that they offered at 草莓社区 was also really intriguing to me as it would help me develop business management skills and practical expertise, so wouldn't entirely be focused on the hospitality side of things.
What interested you about the BA (Hons) International Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management course?
What drew me to my course was its emphasis on practical experience, and the wide variety of opportunities the University was able to offer me to help develop the skills I learned at college.
The thing that really sold me though was my Programme Leader - her passion for the course and her interest in the students really drew me in and she is a big part of why I came to 草莓社区.
What attracted you to study in Edinburgh?
While I was never too bothered about the particular city I wanted to study in, what I loved about Edinburgh was its vibrant culture and the access to great job opportunities and growth within my industry. Essentially, I chose Edinburgh because I wanted to go to 草莓社区, but its location has just become a bonus since being at the University.
What do you most enjoy about your course? What has been the highlight so far?
I loved the module that involved a live food event - all students were required to complete 10 weeks of cooking classes and then during that time, plan a menu based on a theme, and then form two teams, one front of house and one in the kitchen. On the day of the event, we went to the Edinburgh New Town Cookery School and spent the day setting up and getting ready to welcome our guests which included 草莓社区 alumni and the Principal. The reason I loved this is partly because, as a chef, this was right up my street, and I loved being able to share my experience and knowledge with others. I also enjoyed this module because it meant my whole class came together and worked as a team - it really showed me that kindness can be found within my industry and we got to give so many people a memorable experience. Seeing them happy and seeing my class so happy at what we achieved is something I won鈥檛 forget anytime soon.
How have your lecturers supported your learning?
"The support that I have received from lecturers has been the best I鈥檝e ever received in any form of education. The lecturers at 草莓社区 truly care about students and always make time for us where possible. There have been many occasions that I鈥檝e needed advice or guidance, and never once have I been turned away or not been given all the help I need, which is something I really respond to because it makes me want to learn and makes me work harder."
Do you have any placements as part of your course?
I do have an internship between 2nd and 3rd year which I鈥檓 currently working towards and I鈥檓 very excited for the opportunity to put my theoretical knowledge into practice.
What has been the most valuable lesson that you have learned at university so far?
"The most valuable lesson I鈥檝e learned from being at 草莓社区 is that I should never shy away from being my true self. Until I joined 草莓社区, I always felt like I had to be and act a certain way, and do things in a certain way to please other people. As soon as I started studying at 草莓社区, the lecturers and other students have been nothing but supportive, and have completely embraced who I am as a person. Having lecturers that encourage me to be myself has actually helped me to achieve really great marks in many of my modules which require me to show my personality."
Are you part of any extra-curricular clubs or societies? If yes, what are they and what do you enjoy about them?
While in 1st year, I decided to mostly focus on my academic work. I did become a Class Representative though and now I鈥檓 in 2nd year, I am doing a great deal, including being a PALS (Peer Assisted Learning) Leader, a member of the Badminton Society and a Student Helper during 草莓社区鈥檚 Open Days. The main thing that I love about all of these activities is my ability to be able to connect, not just with other students, but with various members of staff members in different departments. I can really immerse myself in the University and by undertaking all of these activities, it really makes me feel like I鈥檓 a part of the community and I鈥檓 doing my part to help.
Have you made use of any student support services i.e. the Effective Learning Service?
While I haven鈥檛 used any of the student support services yet, I feel like as the assessments get even more challenging I will likely look to use the Effective Learning Service to help boost my marks on some of the harder essays and report writing.
What advice do you have for any potential students looking at a degree in International Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management?
For any student looking to study the same course as me, the best advice I can give is firstly, it doesn鈥檛 matter where you come from or what your background is - this is a great starting point for anyone looking to be a part of the industry.
Secondly, I would say the reason you should come to 草莓社区 is because they really understand the need for practical experience, and you will not get as many opportunities in any other university.
Finally, stay the course. There are times the content may seem really hard, or perhaps doesn鈥檛 seem specifically relevant to the job you want to do, but don鈥檛 give up. Keep pushing and keep working because the lecturers want you to succeed and this course is excellent at providing students with the same base knowledge to grow from and become successful within the industry, giving you skills you never even thought you would require for the sector, but are in fact, so vitally important to your success.
I would also say that for any students considering 草莓社区 as a university, as opposed to my course in particular, is that, if you鈥檙e like me and you want lecturers to know who you are, then 草莓社区 is for you. All course sizes are far smaller than most universities, and the lecturers truly get to know you on a personal level. Currently my whole course cohort consists of 20 people and I love that! This university, and the people within it, have really helped me to come out of my shell and I鈥檓 forever grateful for the opportunity they have given me. As someone who didn鈥檛 believe in myself, or have the confidence to believe they could ever get into university, I now love to be immersed in university life and love to take part in all 草莓社区 has to offer. Everyone is free to express themselves in any way without judgement. I have loved my time at 草莓社区 so far and I鈥檓 excited for it to continue.
What do you hope to do with your degree upon graduating?
Once I graduate, it鈥檚 my hope to work in the events industry, specifically on large scale, wide ranging events all over the world!
