Cruisin' for credits
Carl Kurek
Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: News
Imagine going on a five-day cruise this spring on a luxurious ship large enough to accompany 3,000 people and sail around Miami, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and the Bahamas. Although this sounds like an expensive dream vacation, it's actually a three credit hour course offered to any PUC student over 21 years of age through the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department.
The course, HTM 385, has been offered every spring semester since 2000 and the cruise is scheduled in May so as to not interfere with graduation or summer school. "It's perfect for anyone because you meet on Saturdays in the spring semester and it doesn't take up a lot of your time, plus you get three credits," said Ashton Janis, an HTM major.
The course is an elective and has experiential designation, so although it is intended for students with an HTM major, it is actually available to students with any major.
"Since my major is HTM, this was really enjoyable because it made me realize that a job on a ship would be so much fun. You can travel and meet people from all over the world, and it is a good way to network," said Janis.
Professor Geralyn A. Farley is program coordinator of the HTM Department and regularly accompanies the class.
"Because the cruise has great career opportunities for all majors, it attracts students from many majors. And of course, what a great classroom," said Farley.
She said that about 75 percent of the students are hospitality students and the rest are other majors. Farley usually takes 20 to 30 students; the first to register and pay their deposit have priority and then if possible, they will try to include more students.
In the actual classroom part of this course, which starts at the regular spring semester date, students will learn about the history, marketing and future of the cruise line industry.
"This is just a fun class that actually puts you in a different place and helps you learn new things and ways of thinking," said Janis.
The course, HTM 385, has been offered every spring semester since 2000 and the cruise is scheduled in May so as to not interfere with graduation or summer school. "It's perfect for anyone because you meet on Saturdays in the spring semester and it doesn't take up a lot of your time, plus you get three credits," said Ashton Janis, an HTM major.
The course is an elective and has experiential designation, so although it is intended for students with an HTM major, it is actually available to students with any major.
"Since my major is HTM, this was really enjoyable because it made me realize that a job on a ship would be so much fun. You can travel and meet people from all over the world, and it is a good way to network," said Janis.
Professor Geralyn A. Farley is program coordinator of the HTM Department and regularly accompanies the class.
"Because the cruise has great career opportunities for all majors, it attracts students from many majors. And of course, what a great classroom," said Farley.
She said that about 75 percent of the students are hospitality students and the rest are other majors. Farley usually takes 20 to 30 students; the first to register and pay their deposit have priority and then if possible, they will try to include more students.
In the actual classroom part of this course, which starts at the regular spring semester date, students will learn about the history, marketing and future of the cruise line industry.
"This is just a fun class that actually puts you in a different place and helps you learn new things and ways of thinking," said Janis.
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