Experiencing work: supporting the undergraduate hospitality, tourism and cruise management student on an overseas work placement

This paper reports on a funded research project into the experiences of tourism, hospitality and cruise management students on internship outside the UK as part of their British university degree between 2007 and 2009. The research reflected on the perceptions of students, course managers, placement officers and members of university placement groups. The research makes use of data collected in focus groups, by interviews and from a survey, to examine the issues relating to student support, non‐UK placements, the options for maintaining contact and institutional concerns. The project has generated useful findings and results to inform university work‐placement managers about developing mechanisms for supporting students and it has highlighted important issues relating to policy making and the inherent problems associated with managing overseas placements.