On April 17, 2023, twenty five students from Liepaja University (LiepU) Bachelor’s study programmes "Tourism and Recreation Management" and "Business and Organization Management" together with two university lecturers Zane Gusta and Ilze Grospiņa went to the University of Madeira in Portugal (Madeira) for an Erasmus+ study internship.
Providing diverse internship opportunities is one of the priorities of LiepU Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, therefore every year students are offered to go on Erasmus+ study internship mobility to ensure knowledge of foreign good practices and innovative initiatives in tourism and business.
Since last year’s visit of LiepU International Relations Department at the University of Madeira and started negotiations about the organization of LiepU student study internships, was concluded an Erasmus+ partnership agreement and made successful cooperation, therefore this destination was chosen as the next internship destination. Thus, students would have the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and examples of good practices in one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
During this week, students have acquired knowledge about the development of Madeira's tourism strategy, the municipality's contribution to the development of tourism, the specifics of the operation of tourist information offices, diverse types of tourism (sports tourism, ecotourism) and digital marketing with several organized field trips.
After the first week of training, students share their first impressions, highly appreciating the content of the training programme, which includes the theoretical and practical knowledge. There is little time left for free moments, because after the theoretical training, countless tourism companies and objects are visited, including activities enjoyed, for which the students conducted an in-depth analysis of the activity. During the Erasmus+ study internships, students have the opportunity to practice in an international environment, leading self-planned tourism routes. The nature of the island of Madeira with its grandeur and beauty, the clean environment, as well as the friendly attitude of the local residents towards tourists, definitely surprised the students. The close mutual cooperation among the University of Madeira, municipality, entrepreneurs and local residents in ensuring business development is appreciated. Although the training has not yet ended, the students have already developed sustainable and innovative business ideas.
Arriving at the University of Madeira, the students had a unique opportunity to share their first impressions of starting their internship at the National Portugal Television. You can listen to the interview with the students here: https://www.rtp.pt/madeira/sociedade/estudantes-da-letnia-em-estgio-na-madeira-vdeo_115751?fbclid=IwAR2DN-Ma1tUZCRcG6zKrWroQUGkoalfPRxTnE8C8R-o49qeYnmoDTRvtFEI
Thanks to the opportunities of the Erasmus+ programme, the cooperative International Relations Office of the University of Madeira and teachers for the active cooperation and hospitable reception, and we wish all students a successful internship!
Photos: HERE