HOSPA Conference Scholarship Day

Student Sarah Waddington-Azambuja, who is studying on our International Hospitality Management top-up degree, writes on attending the recent HOSPA conference:

“On Thursday 2 November 2017 I was invited to attend the HOSPA conference via an opportunity given to me in my Financial Issues module, as part of my International Hospitality Management Top Up year at the University of Brighton. My lecturer Helen Atkinson allowed myself, and my classmate to attend and I was the lucky recipient of the scholarship kindly donated by HOSPA to attend both the conference and the gala dinner in the evening.

“Throughout the course of the day I was exposed to industry professionals with encouraging words and very helpful advice for my future career. I was able to meet with the CEO of my first hotel company. This was extremely special to me, as I was initially studying Biology when I began working for his hotel company.

“Two weeks after my start date at the hotel I handed in my notice to my course and immediately enrolled to study hospitality.  I have never looked back; it was thrilling to be able to discuss this journey with the man whose company had made all of this possible through inspiring employees and empowering them to take charge of their own careers.

“I attended informative seminars all day long, making sure to take plenty of notes; the debates were packed with a wealth of information that is relevant to my current course of study and I found new and exciting takes on my current project for Financial Management. As a women in hospitality I was particularly inspired by the GM of the Royal Lancaster and her speech about how her role as a women in management was often challenged; and how she persevered and did not let any obstacles get in her way.

“I am very grateful to both my lecturer and the University for allowing me to take part in this incredible opportunity.”