Learning Outcomes: International Tourism PRT 5610 University of Utah
Throughout the final semester of my undergraduate years I reflect upon what I have learned in my International Tourism class. I originally choose to take this class because it fulfilled the International Diversity and Upper Division writing requirements for graduation. I soon realized that this class was more than just fulfilling graduation requirements but a real lesson on the international community and how tourism is the key to connecting peoples from around the world.
In order to understand the world community and how it is interconnected we as class had to understand the potential barriers of international relations. The perceived barriers ranged from language, international conflict, religion, law, and economic factors. As an example, a potential barrier for any of us at this moment is economics, meaning, do we have the means to travel and see the world? In understanding these barriers we have to keep appraised of world current events. Much of our society in the United States relates to our here and now, but little do we care about the news of other regions of the world. The current events elsewhere can directly effect us here at home. An example of how world events effects us, is the recent global impact of the failed economic systems in Greece.
The most valuable thing that I learned is perspective. I come out of this class with a whole new perspective on the world and the people that populate the world. In order to fully comprehend what a society is experiencing you must see it through their eyes. We have done many projects in this class that educated us in how locals are viewed and how they view us as tourist. One such example that I have been working on this semester is the correlation of how warfare and tourism have an effect on the people. In one of my earlier blogs I spoke on the effects of land mines that have been laid down due to warfare. The effects on the people are horrific, but here in the United States or other developed western countries we have not one clue how it effects the people of those countries. When the people do not care about the world community, this becomes one of the largest perceived barriers to international relations.
Luckily, there are those out there that want to experience what others experience and live like those of other cultures without destroying what makes that culture special. Many tourism companies in the world are moving to more sustainable tourism models. As tourists, we must be actively engaged in looking for these type of tourism companies that promote sustainability and develops the communities that we as tourist will be visiting. Eco-tourism is going to be how tourism works in the 21st century, we must promote sustainability at all times in order for this change to come sooner than later.
I have learned a great deal about writing, grammar, and literature while attending this course over the past semester. I feel that I am competent in my writing style and the ability to adapt that style when necessary. Overall, this course has taught me a great deal about the world and most importantly the people that live in this beautiful world.
In order to understand the world community and how it is interconnected we as class had to understand the potential barriers of international relations. The perceived barriers ranged from language, international conflict, religion, law, and economic factors. As an example, a potential barrier for any of us at this moment is economics, meaning, do we have the means to travel and see the world? In understanding these barriers we have to keep appraised of world current events. Much of our society in the United States relates to our here and now, but little do we care about the news of other regions of the world. The current events elsewhere can directly effect us here at home. An example of how world events effects us, is the recent global impact of the failed economic systems in Greece.
The most valuable thing that I learned is perspective. I come out of this class with a whole new perspective on the world and the people that populate the world. In order to fully comprehend what a society is experiencing you must see it through their eyes. We have done many projects in this class that educated us in how locals are viewed and how they view us as tourist. One such example that I have been working on this semester is the correlation of how warfare and tourism have an effect on the people. In one of my earlier blogs I spoke on the effects of land mines that have been laid down due to warfare. The effects on the people are horrific, but here in the United States or other developed western countries we have not one clue how it effects the people of those countries. When the people do not care about the world community, this becomes one of the largest perceived barriers to international relations.
Luckily, there are those out there that want to experience what others experience and live like those of other cultures without destroying what makes that culture special. Many tourism companies in the world are moving to more sustainable tourism models. As tourists, we must be actively engaged in looking for these type of tourism companies that promote sustainability and develops the communities that we as tourist will be visiting. Eco-tourism is going to be how tourism works in the 21st century, we must promote sustainability at all times in order for this change to come sooner than later.
I have learned a great deal about writing, grammar, and literature while attending this course over the past semester. I feel that I am competent in my writing style and the ability to adapt that style when necessary. Overall, this course has taught me a great deal about the world and most importantly the people that live in this beautiful world.