Turismo de intercâmbio: o desenvolvimento de competências segundo a percepção de participantes do programa Summer Work Travel

Abstract

The Summer Work Travel exchange program is performed by university students between 18 and 29 years old willing to spend their vacation working in the United States of America. During this period the student is able to develop in personal and professional spheres. This study aim to identify the competences developed during the Summer Work Travel exchange program according to its participants. Therefore, an exploratory-descriptive study of a qualitative nature was adopted. Data collection was conducted through online interviews with nine tourism students who participated in the program. The results indicated that the exchange can be seen as an effective way to qualify the tourism student's curriculum in addition to helping him to develop important competences for his personal and professional growth. It was also noted that the benefits obtained vary according to the participant's intention and commitment and that all interviewees perceived a positive impact of the experience on their lives, and recommend the program to other students. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]