Martina Gardeva (Bulgaria)

My name is Martina and I am a Bulgarian postgraduate student in MSc Tourism Management and Marketing. I finished my classes at the end of May, but because I had to write a dissertation, I decided to stay in Bournemouth for the summer. Between, the relaxing days at the beach, the amazing English spirit of the World Cup games and the opportunity to get a part-time job to fund your summer adventures, Bournemouth has a lot to offer:

Beach vibes

My favourite thing to do in Bournemouth in the summer is to simply enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. The season so far has been full of plenty of sunny days, little to no rain and degrees close to 30°C. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of living in a coastal town and to go for a swim in the surprisingly warm water. Bear in mind, however, Bournemouth is full of tourists and especially during the weekends so it is almost impossible to find a quiet spot on the beach. This is why I recommend going to the beach near the East Cliff or the locals’ favourite, Boscombe. They are usually not as crowded as the central beach, the water is clean and you can avoid the noisy visitors.

Getting a part-time job

During the summer season, as Bournemouth is full of tourists, it is really easy to get a seasonal job and save some money. I have been working as a student ambassador and have worked on different events such as open days, high school visits and phone campaigns in the office. My roommate, on the other hand, signed up with a local recruitment agency and is working on different type of events as catering staff.

Exploring England

I had the chance to go to Manchester for a few days and explore the famous English city with my friends. I used the National Express coaches to get there and on my way back, I took the train to London, because I wanted to stay there as well. I really liked Manchester, the place is full of trendy hipster bars and local pubs, there were many street art murals too which I really enjoyed exploring and a lively city centre. As a true football fan, I also got the chance to visit Manchester United’s stadium and learn more about the legendary club. Things not to miss are also the MediaCity, home to the BBC’s headquarters, the Trafford Centre, the stunning Harry Potter-style John Ryland’s Library and of course Manchester’s oldest building, The Old Wellington Inn, where I had the chance to watch the emotional England-Colombia game.

London from a different perspective

On my way home I stayed in London, as I simply love this city. This time, I went off-the-beaten-path from the popular central tourist attractions and had a chance to enjoy the gorgeous Notting Hill and Portobello Market, as well as the original vibe of Camden Town and Market. I really recommend both of them if you want to get a better feel of London!

As you can see, there is plenty of stuff to do in Bournemouth in the summer and it is entirely up to you how you will spend your vacation (and dissertation period for postgrads)!

Martina Gardeva, Bulgaria, MSc Tourism Management and Marketing 2017/18.