Mariana Cirlan

BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Top-Up)


Mariana Cirlan is an undergraduate student at the University of Sunderland in London, studying for her BSc (Hons) in International Tourism and Hospitality Management Top-Up degree. She spoke with us about her plans for after she graduates and how her studies are helping her make them a reality.

I’m happy to say that every positive thing I read has been proven true.   

“I have big plans for my future when I graduate. I want to set up a travel and tourism company and run it with my husband.

I love the idea of sharing our passions for seeing the world with one another and other people too.

That idea was what convinced me to first do my Higher National Diploma (HND) and then later my current degree in tourism and hospitality.

I needed to know more about the industry if I’m going to be a part of it. It’s so fast-growing, you really need to keep up with everything that’s happening.

Studying it in a higher education setting was the best way of doing that.

Plus, the University of Sunderland in London has a real focus on the areas of tourism I most want to be involved with.

We learn about it as a global industry, not just focusing on the UK, which means my career choices are so much more diverse.

What drew me to the University first, though, were the reviews. People have so many good things to say about studying here.

I’m happy to say that every positive thing I read has been proven true.

In particular, I appreciate the importance the lecturers put on real-world skills.

For them, learning tourism and hospitality is not only about theory. It involves visiting projects, hearing from guest speakers and learning essential employability skills too.

Of course, I’ve spent a lot of my time studying remotely due to COVID-19.

Obviously, it was challenging but the University managed to organise everything we needed to study very quickly and the lecturers are doing amazing work teaching in really unusual circumstances.

Each of the modules I’ve taken so far has been excellent. They have, in their own ways, given me a different and wider view of the industry.

That’s vital for me because I need a well-rounded understanding of the discipline if I’m going to make my company work.

I really recommend the University for the great study environment and friendly atmosphere.”

Want to follow in Mariana’s footsteps? Take a look at our Tourism, Hospitality and Events courses.

You can also register your interest or book a personal consultation to find out more.

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