"Thank you for the amazing time I had at Kingston College!" says Anna who achieved D*D*D, equivalent to two A* grades and one A at A Level, on our BTEC Travel with Aviation and is now progressing to Oxford Brookes University to study BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management. Having chosen Kingston College for its supportive approach and strong reputation, Anna thrived in the college's positive learning environment, developing valuable skills in customer service, organisation and academic writing. She recommends Kingston College for its "great support" and welcoming community, praising the tutors for being "lovely to talk to" and highlighting the fun workshops, events and industry experiences that helped make her college journey so memorable.
Why did you choose your course and Kingston college?
I chose to study at Kingston College because I knew A Levels weren't for me and I was told Kingston College gave great support to students like me who don't do well in exams. During my application process this college stayed in touch with me while I was doing my GCSEs which gave me a sense of comfort. Travel & Tourism and Aviation are a passion of mine and it was the perfect course that allowed me to learn about something I am very interested in.
What attracted you to studying this course rather than A Levels?
Many of my friends chose to do A Levels though it seemed very stressful and meant a high workload with not much time for myself. Doing a BTEC was a better fit and had a more relaxed workload with more time to do other things outside of school like getting a job.
What are your plans after you finish your course?
After finishing this course I plan to go to Oxford Brookes University to study BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management which is very similar to the course I did at Kingston College. It is the next step up towards getting a job in the tourism industry which is the end goal for me.
What have you enjoyed most about your course?
The course taught me more about real life scenarios and how to manage customer service. I also enjoyed making friends and talking to my tutors during my time here.
What skills have you developed during your time here?
I have developed many skills such as writing essays and dissertations as well as time management and organisation. These skills will be vital in my future at university when spending time on big projects and assignments.
How have your tutors supported you?
My tutors have supported me by helping me understand each topic fully and explaining things if I do not understand them. They were excellent at creating a positive environment and making lessons and tutorials as enjoyable as possible.
Have you taken part in any work experience, trips or projects? What did you gain from them?
Kingston College was great at organising fun trips and work experience. For work experience my course went to Morden Hall Park and conducted surveys to help improve the park and make locals more involved in decision making. We also went on many residential trips such as Salou in Spain, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Paris in France and trips to places like the British Airways headquarters to teach us some cabin crew training. These trips were really fun and I would love to go back to each of these places some day. I gained a certificate in emergency equipment and procedures from the British Airways trip and I got to learn more about the different cultures in each country while researching for assignments before each residential.
How has your course prepared you for your next step?
This course prepared me by teaching me how to write well-structured essays and create PowerPoints that are engaging and informative which are very important in university.
What are your long-term career goals?
In the future I would like to work in management at a hotel or to fly to different countries for jobs as an English speaker on cruise ships.
How have you grown as a person during your time at Kingston College?
I have gained many friends and become more confident through them, as well as activities I participated in such as helping on Open Days and creating presentations with my friends. This has helped me grow as a person and made me the person I am today.
What are you most proud of achieving?
I am proud of achieving a certificate from British Airways and doing my assignments to the best of my ability while also having a job and doing other activities outside of school such as the RAF cadets.
What would you say to someone thinking of studying your course?
The Travel and Tourism course is extremely fun and the teachers are excellent with fun lessons prepared while telling us about their experiences in the tourism industry. It is definitely a course worth looking into if you’re interested in anything related to tourism, business or management. It teaches skills that are useful in the real world.
Why would you recommend Kingston College to others?
I would recommend Kingston College to others as I received great support and the teachers are lovely to talk to. It is the place for anyone searching for a college with a great community and fun workshops and events!!
Thank you for the amazing time I have had at Kingston College.
