Bella Furze
"During my studies, I worked with my project group on overtourism in Aruba. One of my group members is from Aruba, which made the topic feel even more personal. By speaking to residents and tourism professionals, I discovered how important it is to listen to the people directly affected by tourism. I learned to look at complex issues from different perspectives before thinking about possible solutions."
Listening to different perspectives
"During our research, we asked ourselves: Is Aruba still a home, or has it become a playground for tourists? Speaking to residents and tourism professionals gave me a better understanding of tourism’s impact on the island. I realised there is no simple answer and that it is important not to jump to conclusions without understanding the people affected."
Learning through conversation
"Our online panel discussion brought everything together. As the moderator, I learned how to prepare a professional discussion, ask focused questions and give everyone the opportunity to share their perspective. We did not solve the problem, but we did raise awareness. That showed me that creating awareness can also be an important first step towards change."
Looking beyond solutions
Bella's lecturer Lina Dafesh, believes this is an important part of the learning process: “For me, the most important learning outcome is that students learn to look beyond the surface of a problem. I want them to realise that change does not always start with a solution.”
Discover Tourism Management
Would you like to discover where your talents lie and gain experience in the international world of tourism? Explore the Tourism Management programme and discover where your studies can take you.