06 Jan 2016
As part of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Travel & Tourism course, students have to organise and manage a travel or tourism event. We spoke to Ydo Jousma, International Coordinator at the International School Eerde (ISE), Ommen, in The Netherlands to find out about the students’ event and how the Travel & Tourism course has brought the school closer to its community.
On 16 December 2015, Cambridge International AS & A Level Travel & Tourism students at the International School Eerde (ISE), Ommen, in The Netherlands held a Cultural Christmas Fair. The students chose to organise a fair as it aligned well with the school’s goals of more intra-subject working, collaboration between students, and building connections with the local community.
Ydo Jousma, International Coordinator at ISE, explains that the school’s remote location means there is a risk students will become isolated. The school is working hard to counter this, and the fair gave them a great opportunity to connect with their community. He says: “Our historic castle location, which is characteristic of the Charles Dickens era, was simply perfect for attracting visitors to the Christmas fair. Normally the estate is closed to visitors, however ISE now wants to open its doors more often to allow everyone to enjoy the beauty of the estate.”
On the afternoon before the fair, the students also hosted an afternoon of fun and games for children from the local refugee centre. Ydo says: “When it comes to the devastating refugee crisis currently taking place, ISE has refused to look the other way. We wanted to illustrate our support and hospitality for those in need.”
As part of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Travel & Tourism course, students have to organise and manage a travel or tourism event. The school also uses the Travel & Tourism course to help students make connections between difference subjects. "A wide range of Cambridge qualifications are offered at ISE, so students must develop a variety of different skills" explains Ydo. "For example, in order to hold the Christmas Fair, students had to prepare a business plan using the knowledge and understanding attained from their Business Studies classes. Other students were required to use their ICT skills in producing marketing materials for the fair. Finally, the Travel & Tourism students developed a range of different questionnaires and surveys in order to capture visitors' views, allowing them to analyse the customer satisfaction results."
“The Christmas fair project brought the students together as they worked towards a mutual goal, as well as providing an opportunity for them to practice many skills which are integral to the syllabus. During the process, they learned to rely upon one another but to also to confront each other with their responsibilities. They began speaking up for themselves. They also listened to each other and learned how to bring their own arguments forward in the most convincing manner."
"All in all, the Christmas fair was a great success, with the greatest joy being the fun had by all on the day. The students also found the customer satisfaction results highly rewarding as well! On the back of this success, ISE plans to offer the event next year again, with the hope that it will turn into an annual tradition.”
With thanks to Ydo Jousma, International Coordinator at International School Eerde.
Find out more about Cambridge International AS & A Level Travel & Tourism.