International experience develops student’s confidence and self-belief
Caitlin Bollard, from Trealaw, Tonypandy, is a confirmed advocate for international travel having returning from a transformative volunteering and cultural exchange experience in Fiji.
Caitlin, who is studying BA International Travel and Tourism Management at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), spent three weeks on Think Pacific’s Village Immersion Project, where she immersed herself in Fijian culture, worked alongside local organisations and lived with a host family in a remote village.
Supported by funding from UWTSD through the Welsh Government’s Taith international mobility programme, the experience provided Caitlin with a unique opportunity to develop professional skills while gaining first-hand insight into another culture.
Reflecting on her time in Fiji, Caitlin said:
“The main purpose of my experience in Fiji was to develop both personally and professionally through experiencing a different culture and way of life. The experience was an opportunity to broaden my perspective, develop skills that will support me in my future career in the tourism industry”.
For Catilin, who will graduate this year, the highlight of her experience was being immersed in in Fijian culture where she got to spend time with Fijian families. The experience enabled her to gain a first-hand insight into their day-to-day life and to understand a different culture, giving her a greater appreciation of her own life. But, what made the greatest impression on her was the friendly welcome and kindness she received.
“One of the biggest things I learned was that happiness doesn’t come from having lots of material possessions or things I’m used to having back home. I experienced so much happiness, inclusivity and kindness in the village from everyone being together. Seeing how people valued time together made me reflect on what I consider important in my own life.”
She explained: “Living and working alongside local residents helped me to become more confident in communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds. I learned the importance of respecting local customs and understanding that cultural differences can influence how people interact and work together.”
The international mobility experience also proved to be a significant period of personal growth. For Caitlin, travelling independently to the South Pacific was a major step outside her comfort zone, helping her become more self-reliant and adaptable.
“The most valuable aspect of my International Mobility experience was becoming more confident in travelling alone and believing in myself. Travelling all that way to Fiji was a huge step out of my comfort zone, especially being so far away from home and having to adapt to a new lifestyle and environment.
“My internship has changed my perspective and encouraged me to be more open to future international opportunities my degree offers me, such as the opportunity to visit New Zealand next year.”
Caitlin praised the support she received from both UWTSD and Think Pacific throughout her journey, describing the experience as one that broadened her horizons and helped her discover more about herself.
Caitlin strongly encourages other UWTSD students to consider taking part in international mobility opportunities, highlighting the personal, academic and professional benefits that come from experiencing different cultures and communities around the world. She said: “Although it can seem like a big jump and feel nerve-racking and uncertain, I would encourage anyone to take the first step. You will come home a different person and thank yourself for going out of your comfort zone.
“This experience has given me memories and experiences that I will never forget and, most importantly, helped me discover a whole different person inside of me.”
Find out more about studying International Travel and Tourism Management at UWTSD: https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/programme-courses/undergraduate/hospitality-lei…
Further Information
Eleri Beynon
Head
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: e.beynon@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 01267 676790