Opinions of Graduate Students towards Real-world Learning in the Field of Tourism Management

Abstract

          This study aimed: 1) to examine graduate students’ opinions towards real- world learning projects in the field of tourism management and 2) to examine the difficulties in undertaking the real-world learning projects in the field of tourism management. This study used a mixed method by questionnaires and interviews from students enrolling at one university with a total of 23 respondents. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics.

           According to the findings, 1) the graduate students had the opinions towards the 3 real-world learning projects at a high level. They indicated that the research project had helped them to better learn and understand the characteristics of research work (x̄=4.71). Regarding entrepreneurship project, they indicated that this type of project had helped them to better understand the characteristics of doing business (x̄=4.68). For business seminar project, they indicated that this project had enhanced their knowledge about business marketing (x̄=4.63). 2) For the difficulties in undertaking the real-world learning projects, each project had different difficulties based on various contexts. The research findings may help to promote real-world learning among graduate instructors for developing students both academically and professionally.