Evaluation of the Changes and Achievements Perceived in Graduate Tourism Education On the Basis of Transformative Learning Theory

Abstract

Abstract It is seen that postgraduate education gains importance to have new information, skills and experiments in a constantly changing and transforming the world. Postgraduate education in a field that shows a need for high-quality labor, such as the tourism industry, is expected to comply with this structure and create a transforming effect on the learners. This study aims to evaluate the personal changes, skills and learning outcomes that the students studying in postgraduate programs in the field of tourism can perceive as a result of the educational process on the basis of Transformative Learning Theory, and has been built according to the qualitative research model. As the data collection technique, the interview technique was employed to the study group which consists of 34 people who were designated through a purposeful sampling method. From the data obtained, totally eleven main codes and six groups of themes derived. The study findings showed that postgraduate tourism education generally provides the expected academic and vocational gains; however, they are not at a level that is effective in causing a transformation in individuals. On the other hand, it was detected that some transformations occurred in a small part of the study group in compliance with the transformative learning theory. Critical thinking, self-expression and showing empathy are remarkable among the new knowledge and skills defined as an achievement. Interrogative manner, acting self-confident, and being kind to different thoughts and cultures became prominent as the new personality traits. It will be beneficial for the researchers in the future to focus on the methods to improve the quality of education through program development in postgraduate tourism education. Furthermore, it can be suggested to implement such research periodically as long-term projects and to design them in mixed patterns.