Tourism and Recreation
Studying in the field of Tourism and Recreation
The field of Tourism and Recreation provides students with extensive knowledge of the tourism industry, allowing them to understand the mechanisms that govern it. Depending on the chosen specialization, students become acquainted with the specifics of organizing a travel agency, planning and calculating tourist and cultural events, aspects of social psychology, the nature of work in the hotel industry, wellness and spa institutions, international tourism, small and large gastronomy. The graduate has the ability to manage a human team and solve problems creatively.
The course requires 12 weeks of professional internships, organized by the University at the Scientific-Conference Center “Biały Pałac Palczew” as well as in tourist institutions in the country and abroad, including in Spain, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, USA. The course requires learning one foreign language – English at every level of advancement and optionally from the basics of the language: Italian, Spanish, Russian, German, French, and Chinese.
Students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies at partner universities abroad as part of the Erasmus pan-European program.
Graduates find employment in travel agencies and tourist offices, in managerial and operational positions, and can run their own tourism, hotel, and gastronomic activities.
Study mode
Full-time – Classes from Monday to Friday from morning to afternoon hours
Part-time – Weekend classes, meetings take place twice a month
Course of study
3-year bachelor’s studies with the possibility of continuation in 2-year master’s studies
Professional internships
According to the law of July 20, 2018, Higher Education and Science, the program of studies of a practical profile provides for professional internships for students admitted from October 2019, for at least:
- 6 months – for first-cycle (bachelor’s) studies;
- 3 months – for second-cycle (master’s) studies.
The University provides internship places for all students in travel agencies, hotels, conference centers, etc. depending on the chosen specialty and student expectations. Internships take place in tourist institutions in the country and abroad, including in Greece, France, Spain. In the case of foreign internships, the student receives remuneration, meals, and accommodation from the foreign contractor during the internship.
Foreign languages
At WSTiJO, we place great emphasis on practical foreign language learning, which is why all students of both full-time and part-time studies learn two foreign languages. These are first – English – there is an option to choose learning at several levels of advancement, and the second language to choose from: Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, and Italian. Such a wide range of languages significantly increases the chance of finding attractive work after graduation.
Erasmus
Students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies or internships at higher education institutions and partner institutions in European Union countries as part of the pan-European “Lifelong Learning” Erasmus + program. Internships and trips for learning purposes are co-financed from the Erasmus + program. The program covers all students of both full-time and part-time studies. More on this topic in the Erasmus + tab.
Scope of the teaching program - Bachelor's studies
Students of Bachelor’s studies in Tourism and Recreation acquire extensive theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of, among others:
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- functioning of a tourist enterprise in the light of Polish and European Union legal and administrative regulations
- planning marketing activities in a tourist company, creating tourist products, improving the sales channels of tourist offers
- negotiation techniques
- coordination of activities in hotel and catering companies
- familiarity with cultural and social aspects in the face of increasing tourist needs.
In the second year, students choose a specialization that best meets their expectations and professional aspirations. The course offers the opportunity to learn two foreign languages for both modes of study. The first compulsory language is English (three levels of proficiency to choose from), the second language, taught from scratch, can be chosen from German, Russian, French, Spanish, and Italian. This is an optional subject, paid separately.
Specialties in Tourism and Recreation
The University of Tourism and Foreign Languages in Bachelor’s studies in Tourism and Recreation offers the following specialties:
Graduates of this specialty will gain knowledge about the functioning of local government in terms of the basic tasks of these units in the field of tourism. The positioning of tourism in the structures of local government units and organizational units of individual governments, responsible for tourism issues. Formulating development strategies and controlling infrastructure investments affect the shape and profile of the tourism of the municipality and the region.
Graduates of this course can work in the structures of local governments and organizational units of individual governments.
Fees - bachelor's studies
Master's degree in Tourism and Recreation
Complete second-level education in the field of Tourism and Recreation. Acquire interdisciplinary skills desired in the labor market by studying in the capital of Poland. A master’s degree allows you to specialize in a chosen sub-discipline of the academic field and increases the graduate’s value in the eyes of future employers.
Scope of the education program - master's studies
Master’s studies allow for the consolidation of knowledge acquired during the education process. Changes introduced to the study program in the academic year 2012/2013 aim to link theoretical knowledge with practical aspects of tourism, hospitality, and gastronomy, thereby ensuring the maintenance of high academic standards and specific skills and competencies necessary for proper functioning in the managerial environment of the tourism industry. The program of all specialties includes classes in the form of a seminar and workshops led by long-term practitioners associated with international tourism, hospitality, and gastronomy.
Just like at bachelor’s level, we attach great importance to learning foreign languages. At the master’s level, students continue learning specialized English strictly related to the tourism industry.
Our master’s studies prepare you for managerial positions in the tourism industry, and the offered specialties reflect the current labor market demand.
Specialties in the field of Tourism and Recreation - master's studies
The Higher School of Tourism and Foreign Languages in undergraduate studies in the field of Tourism and Recreation offers the following specialties:
Studia na tym kierunku to szansa na zdobycie wiedzy na temat funkcjonowania rynku usług turystycznych oraz poruszania się w branży turystycznej, zarówno w skali krajowej, jak i międzynarodowej. Absolwent nauczy się rozpoznawać tendencje i trendy w zachowaniu konsumentów, rynkowe uwarunkowania wewnętrzne i zewnętrzne w funkcjonowaniu podmiotów sektora turystycznego.
Absolwenci tego kierunku mogą pracować w wydziałach promocji urzędów gminnych i starostw powiatowych, instytucjach prowadzących edukację turystyczną, miejskich ośrodkach turystyki i wypoczynku, w regionalnych przedsiębiorstwach turystycznych.
Fees - master's studies
Become a student of the University of Tourism and Foreign Languages in Warsaw
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What do Tourism and Recreation studies involve?
Tourism and recreation studies are an academic field that prepares students to work in the field of tourism, recreation, and management in the tourism service sector. Students gain knowledge in the fields of tourism, recreation, management, marketing, economics, tourist law, psychology of tourism, tourism geography, management of tourism projects, and customer service in tourism.
The study program of tourism and recreation often includes both theoretical and practical subjects, such as the organization of tourist events, marketing in tourism, management of tourist facilities, tourist planning, designing a tourist route, as well as internships in various tourism institutions, such as travel agencies, tourism agencies, recreation centers, national parks, hotels, or congress centers.
Graduates of tourism and recreation studies can work in various areas of tourism and recreation, such as the management and organization of tourist events, tourist marketing, management of tourist facilities, planning, and developing local tourism, customer service in the tourism sector, tourist consultancy, tourist animation, or management of tourism projects.
Tourism and recreation studies allow graduates to acquire knowledge and skills needed for work in a dynamic and developing tourism and recreation sector, both in the country and abroad.
Why is it worth studying tourism and recreation in Warsaw?
Studies in tourism and recreation are becoming increasingly popular in Poland, and Warsaw is a great place to pursue them. Here are a few reasons why it is worth studying tourism and recreation in Warsaw:
Proximity to attractive tourist places
Warsaw is an excellent base for visiting many interesting places in Poland, such as the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Żelazowa Wola, or the Palace of Culture and Science. Moreover, it is easy to reach other popular tourist destinations in Poland, such as Krakow or Gdansk, from Warsaw.
Opportunity to gain practical experience
Many companies in the tourism industry operate in Warsaw, providing students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience during their studies. Moreover, many universities offer vocational internship programs, which allow students to acquire practical skills and make contact with potential employers.
International environment
Warsaw is a city where people from various countries and cultures meet. Studying tourism and recreation in such an environment can be a great opportunity to gain new intercultural experiences and develop skills for working in an international setting.
Access to interesting events and festivals
Warsaw hosts many exciting events and festivals related to tourism and recreation, which can be a great opportunity to broaden one’s knowledge and establish contacts with other people in the industry.
Rich educational offerings
Warsaw has numerous reputable universities offering programs in tourism and recreation. These include the University of Warsaw, Warsaw School of Economics, and the Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw.
What job opportunities await a graduate of tourism and recreation?
Graduates of tourism and recreation have many job opportunities, both in Poland and abroad. Here are some examples:
Work in a travel agency – Graduates of tourism and recreation can find employment in travel agencies as travel advisors, specialists in organizing tourist trips, sales department employees, or marketing specialists.
Work in hotels and tourist facilities – Hotels, resorts, holiday resorts, and tourist facilities seek graduates of tourism and recreation for positions such as hotel managers, recreation specialists, animators, or event coordinators.
Work in cultural and tourist institutions – Graduates of tourism and recreation can find employment in cultural and tourism institutions, such as museums, art galleries, or festivals, as promotion and marketing specialists, event organizers, or educational program coordinators.
Work in the public sector – Graduates of tourism and recreation can find employment in city and municipal offices, regional development agencies, or provincial tourism offices, where they will deal with the promotion of the region, organization of cultural events, or preparation of tourist programs.
Work as a freelancer – Many graduates of tourism and recreation decide to work as freelancers, e.g., as travel advisors, specialists in tourist marketing, or recreation trainers.
In addition, graduates of tourism and recreation can also start their own business, such as a travel agency, event agency, or a company organizing integration events.
What will a student of tourism and recreation learn?
Tourism and recreation studies are an interdisciplinary field that covers a wide range of knowledge and skills. The curriculum may differ depending on the university, but here are some topics and issues that are likely to be covered during the studies:
- Fundamentals of tourism and recreation: history, types, directions of development, economic, social, and cultural significance.
- Organization and management in tourism: planning, coordination, marketing, promotion, tourist and recreational services.
- Law in tourism: legal regulations, contracts, consumer protection laws, rights, and obligations of travelers and carriers.
- Tourist geography: study of tourist attractions, areas, landscapes, monuments, and culture of regions worldwide.
- Economics of tourism: demand and supply, costs and income, competitiveness, pricing policy, economic indicators in tourism.
- Psychology and sociology: motivations of tourists, behaviors, expectations, attitudes, satisfaction with services, culture, and social groups.
- Sustainable tourism and ecotourism: caring for the environment, local communities, preserving heritage, the impact of tourism on nature, and local communities.
- Customer service and communication: acquiring interpersonal skills, problem-solving, negotiation, presentation techniques.
- Active and sports tourism: organizing sports events, cycling trips, climbing, skiing, sailing, water sports, trekking, and other forms of active leisure.
- Foreign languages: learning one or more foreign languages for effective communication with international clients.
As you can see, studies in tourism and recreation provide knowledge in various fields, organizational and interpersonal skills, and the opportunity to pursue a passion for travel and exploring different cultures.