UdG EMTM > Alumni > Testimonials

EMTM is an international programme which has students from all over the world, providing them a multicultural learning environment. The programme is a learning experience that transcends the academic sphere. EMTM does not only help students grow professionally, it also enables them to grow on the personal level. For many alumni, the EMTM programme has become a very significant part of their life. Below you can find testimonials from alumni explaining what EMTM means for them.

Alexandru Octavian Dimache

Romania , EMTM 2012-2014

Compared to other similar programs focused on mass-producing Good Professionals to fit in the system, the EMTM has the fantastic potential of creating Good People to revolutionize the system. Interacting with a wide range of researchers and professionals, such as Professor Emeritus Erik Cohen and Dr. Lucka Kajfež Bogataj, enables students to acquire not only a fundamental theoretical knowledge, but, most importantly, the wisdom of connecting this knowledge to the practice of everyday life. And it is this balance between book-smart and street-smart which empowers EMTM graduates to make meaningful contributions to society. In fact, the EMTM socio-cultural and educational environment supported me in redefining and strengthening the values which boosted my chances of being granted a PhD studentship from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Feel Compassionately, Think Critically, Speak Out Argumentatively.
Federica Impedovo

Italy , EMTM 2018-2020

The EMTM has taught me many lessons, both on a personal and professional level. It helped me become a knowledgeable tourism expert, a motivating team player and a responsible practitioner in the field. Not only this though, it taught me how to be a better human being; a person eager to learn more about what surrounds us without prejudices rather with curiosity and willingness to take action. I learnt to empower myself as well as others, to challenge my mindset critically and openly, to acknowledge my fears and concerns and overcome them anyway. You may not see the benefits of such a programme at first sight maybe, but I can assure you that living in 3 different countries, spending all your time with 30 people coming from all over the world, getting out of your comfort zone every few months gives you the skills the world requires nowadays. I am sure that with the education and the experience we received, EMTM alumni are going to do great things to make the tourism industry more sustainable and innovative, because behind everything, we are passionate travellers.
Hiroaki Oikawa

Japan , EMTM 2015-2017

EMTM got me innumerable chances to interact with diversity in different senses, such as people, place, education, lifestyles, cultures and so on. It was not easy to adapt to new settings and unfamiliar cultures but after two years full of challenges, without any doubt, I grew as a person and a professional. The classroom consists of very motivated and unique students from more than 20 different countries each year and knowledgeable professors in the tourism field. One of the most emphasised things throughout the programme is learning from collaboration. The competencies acquired through such practice now enable me to deeply and logically think, effectively lead projects towards success and keep efficient teamwork in my everyday work. The encounters with the aspiring global citizens that helped me become who I am are the biggest asset I obtained in EMTM.
Katherine Leum

United States of America , EMTM 2011-2013

EMTM provides a lot of opportunities to learn about tourism in the field from people who are actually working in the field. There is at least one class trip in every location. The programme also attracts a lot of guest lecturers and our guests lecturers have been from all around the world.
Mila Lukić

Serbia , EMTM 2017-2019

If I could have to describe EMTM in one word, that would be - just impossible, because EMTM is so much: interactive teaching, intercultural learning, international friends and family. It is definitely the most unique experience I have had in my life so far. It taught me to embrace diversity, think outside of the box and work with different cultures. It strengthened the professional I am today because it provided insights into how the tourism world looks globally and the opportunities it offers. EMTM has nourished two years of my life and gave me lifelong friends. I feel more confident and competent because of this programme. I will always consider EMTM an integral part of my life - the secret ingredient which enabled me to achieve so much more afterwards. I wholeheartedly recommend this programme as your educational and professional development road, because you cannot make a mistake no matter where you end up in your career. Once an EMTMer, always and EMTMer.
Nafisah Wulandari

Indonesia , EMTM 2012-2014

The learning experience during my EMTM years was enriching and unique. The exposure to forefront tourism world is unparalleled. Having 30 classmates coming from 22 countries is also the best way to know how tourism practice is implemented differently in other corners of the world and take the best out of it. I would definitely recommend EMTM to anyone who wants to not only learn about tourism management, but also to expand their way of thinking about the world.
Nino Turashvili

Georgia , EMTM 2011-2013

I often think of EMTM as an amazing and extremely exciting journey, that I had an honour to be part of together with representatives of the present as well as the future of tourism. Being able not only to learn, but also to actually live and experience the industry in all the flavours possible has given me ability to really see things from many different perspectives, to reassess certain values and to look at challenges as opportunities for growing as a professional. Taking the EMTM journey with 30 individuals as classmates from various nationalities, cultures and professional backgrounds enabled me to learn through diversity and semester by semester, course by course, day by day, discussion by discussion I saw myself changing together with the entire group while becoming more knowledgeable, environmentally responsible tourism professional and a very rich person in terms of friends connecting me to the rest of the world. I am proud I was, am and always will be part of this amazingly beautiful EMTM family.
Rocio Arenado Rodriguez

Spain , EMTM 2010-2012

The international experience is one of the best parts of this master; especially sharing a classroom with my colleagues from around the world every day. Traveling to different countries is also giving me the opportunity to get to know various study environments, ways of life, societies, characters, languages, people, and of course, myself.
Suchi Smita Mahato

India , EMTM 2014-2016

EMTM was, is and always will be a very significant part of my life. These two years have helped me shape further who I am as an individual, global citizen, tourism professional, friend, co-worker and human being. I had been a part of very diverse international groups before as an international student in North America, but the EMTM experience transcends even those boundaries as we move together as a unit to three or four completely different countries. During this journey, we chalked our own paths, professional goals and interests within the tourism field. The EMTM consortium has offered us many powerful tools including exposure to classes and lectures taught by esteemed professors from all over the world, practical research opportunity for hands on experience around the globe, trips to several sites including specialty hotels, nature reserves and heritage sites, connections with other universities and institutions around the globe for us to collaborate for our master thesis - to name a few. We were also provided emotional support, whenever there were self-doubts, conflicts or demotivation. EMTM is more than just a degree with mobility, it is the opportunity to gain immense knowledge from various diverse sources while building a network and family that will have your back when you need it the most. And it is an absolute blast!
Victor Goitia Serra

Spain , EMTM 2016-2018

When I was considering applying to the EMTM programme, my first thought was: "Maybe I'm too old for such a programme". But one of the things that this programme taught me is that learning is a lifelong process. EMTM is a one-of-a-kind experience that if experienced to the fullest, can spark a change in both your personal and professional lives. Each semester, you delve head-first into a different country, each with their own academic system, culture and bureaucracy. This teaches you to be open-minded and to embrace change. The programme structure offers engaging lectures, debates, team projects and field trips, which allow students to not only gain theoretical knowledge, but also apply it in real-world scenarios necessary for a professional career in tourism. The most unique aspect to the programme is perhaps its diversity. Living and learning with peers from different backgrounds, world views and working styles helps you to see the beauty in difference. I cannot think of a better way to challenge your boundaries and become a more well-rounded 360º tourism practitioner.
Violeta Meotto

Argentina , EMTM 2014-2016

Being in EMTM is a learning experience, which transcends the academic sphere. Learning about tourism, different cultures, and mostly about yourself, is an every-day thing when you are part of an EMTM generation: that strange balance amongst education and (life) teachings. As we like to say, we become a family. This may seem like the most obvious cliché, but think about this: you do not get to choose family, you are "born" into it. Making long-lasting bonds with people from totally different realities and engaging in the tourism conversation in 3 different Universities, is the best platform to take a leap of faith into current the real world. Inside and outside the educational environment, EMTM aids in spreading tolerance, and that is indeed one of its main achievements.

Testimonials

Alexandru Octavian Dimache

Federica Impedovo

Hiroaki Oikawa

Katherine Leum

Mila Lukić

Nafisah Wulandari

Nino Turashvili

Rocio Arenado Rodriguez

Suchi Smita Mahato

Victor Goitia Serra

Violeta Meotto