Study tour success for students in Singapore

A group of 15 students undertook the trip as part of the New Colombo Plan Mobility Program in October 2022. The business and hotel management students visited a broad range of tourism organisations with the aim of building confidence in intercultural business communications while also undertaking cultural and language training.

It was the first team of students and staff from Southern Cross University to travel overseas since the pandemic began, with extra health and safety measurements put in place.

As part of the study tour, students connected with industry leaders from a large range of partner institutions including Holiday Inn Express, Fullerton Hotel, GW Marriott, Grand Hyatt, ADM Group and more. The students completed assessments based on their visits as well as reflection reports.

Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, Paul Weeks said the trip allowed students to immerse in the culture and business operations of another country.

“The program is aimed at building confidence in intercultural business communications as well as promoting and expanding student awareness and respect for cultural and social diversity and the opportunities for networking and employment,” Mr Weeks said.

There were also plenty of opportunities to explore with students taking part in a tour of Singapore, watching the light show at Marina Bay, a tour of Chinatown and Changi, a visit to Singapore Zoo and classes in Asian cuisine culture and Peranakan history.

Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management student Danny Pass said travelling to Singapore was a great opportunity. “I loved exploring the Singapore culture. The Hawker Markets were my favourite. I enjoyed the different foods and cultures within Singapore,” he said.

“I learned a lot about how hotels are marketing their sustainability and trying to get rid of plastic, as well as how hotels in Singapore dealt with COVID and understaffing.”

Associate Degree of International Hotel and Tourism Management student Holly Scanlon said travelling to Singapore showed her the different paths her degree could take her. “Once I went to Singapore, I realised that there are a lot of opportunities and I think it gave us a chance to expand our horizons. It gave me a new perspective on what I can do with my degree.”

Bachelor of Business and Enterprise student Louise Di Pauli commented: “We saw the city in depth and gained insight into the hotel, the hospitality, and the business industries the country thrives on.  Overall, this trip was an unbelievable experience that I am so happy I could enjoy. I am so grateful that Southern Cross organised this. I made new friends and gained new insights into business and careers. I felt rejuvenated after the trip and excited to enter my future business career.”

The trip was open to students studying the units Organisational Communications, Hospitality Services Management, and Intrapreneurship. With funding already secured for 2023, the University hopes that The New Colombo Plan Singapore Study Tour will be an annual event.

For students interested in international exchange, applications are now open for a New Colombo Plan Mobility Program grant to study abroad in Japan in 2023. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Media contact: Southern Cross University Media and Content Team, [email protected]