BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
GRAPHIC BY ALYXIUS TORRES
Travel is one of the largest advantages students at Fort Hays State University readily have access to. The Tourism and Hospitality Management (THM) Travel Club is an organization on the FHSU campus that is geared towards preparing Tourism and Hospitality students for their future careers through the experience of domestic and international travel opportunities.
Karen Irene Thal, an associate professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management and the advisor of THM Travel Club, describes how the idea for the club was formed.
“I involved students in planning the first study abroad trip in 2017. However, we quickly ran into a few issues. There was no real structure, let alone institutional support for our collaborative efforts at that time,” she said. “It became clear that we would need to establish a formal organization on campus to streamline our travel planning and other extra-curricular activities going forward.”
Although the club was originally started for THM major-specific students, Thal explains the club is now open to students of all majors.
“Any FHSU student in good academic standing is welcome to join,” she said.
THM Travel Club President, Meagan Ritsema, said there are all different types of students who can join the highly inclusive club.
“Qualifications for entering the THM Travel Club is to be a full-time student,” Ritsema said. “Both graduate and undergraduate students, as well as virtual and online, can join. Members can expect to learn how to plan cost-effective trips and learn about the tourism industry.”
Ritsema then explains that while the overall purpose of the club is to provide Tourism and Hospitality externship opportunities to students at FHSU, the club goes beyond those trips.
“Students can be involved in the club even if they are unable to make it to the trips that are being planned at the moment,” she said. “Although club members can be involved in the planning process from the beginning to the end so they learn about everything that goes into planning a trip, our meetings go beyond just the planning of these trips and any students are invited to attend.”
Thal said some of the goals the club hopes to accomplish are being a club dedicated to travel, applied learning opportunities in the tourism and hospitality field, and enriching the on-campus experience of students through fun, informative, and social events.
“We also foster learning opportunities by hosting speakers, cross-cultural events, and engaging in travel planning on campus,” Thal said.
Thal expands on those goals by pointing out the unending benefits that students experience through travel possibilities made available to them through THM Travel Club.
“All of our trips have been unforgettable. Students not only learn a great deal about our industry, they grow and learn about themselves too – one of the many benefits of travel,” she said. “At the same time, we all get to share in unique travel experiences and have a whole lot of fun as a group.”
Ritsema speaks on her excitement for the future of the club since starting back up after COVID and a few of her favorite memories in relation to her membership in the THM Travel Club.
“Our upcoming externship trip to Chicago for this year’s spring break will be my first with the club,” Ritsema said. “My favorite memories with the group so far are the socials we’ve had, particularly bowling at the end of last semester. I have also immensely enjoyed our annual hot chocolate fundraisers that we hold in the quad.”
Ritsema said being involved on campus is incredibly important in order to make the most out of your time and the tuition you are paying as a student.
“So many students don’t realize the amazing opportunities that these clubs provide, opportunities like the low-cost hospitality industry immersive trip to Chicago that our club is planning,” she said. “It is also a great way to make friendships and professional connections that are beneficial for your future career.”
Thal adds to Ritsema’s statement with her own.
“The campus is full of opportunities for student involvement in activities. Like the trips we go on, these activities add so much value to our programs and to students’ experiences at FHSU,” Thal said. “I would remind students that access to higher education as well as travel are both privileges we enjoy, but shouldn’t take for granted. I encourage students to take advantage of the unique and wonderful opportunities presented to them when they have the chance.”
Thal makes sure to mention the club’s next big project and their current focus.
“We have an amazing study abroad program planned for the end of May 2024. We are headed to Ireland and Spain to experience wellness tourism,” she said. I encourage all students who are interested to join the THM Travel Club this semester to lear”n more and apply for the program.”
Anyone that is considering joining the THM Travel Club, can follow their Instagram page, @fhsu_thmtravelclub . This is where students can view all of the club’s updates.
More general information on the Tourism and Hospitality Management (THM) Travel Club, can be found on their Tigerlink page at https://tigerlink.fhsu.edu/organization/travelclub .