<p><span class="p-body">For avid travelers and global culture enthusiasts, the&nbsp;<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/bs-in-hotel-and-tourism-management.html">BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management</a>&nbsp;program at NYU SPS is an opportunity to transform passion into vocation. As one of the world's hubs for tourism and hotel real estate, there is no better place to get hands-on experience than NYC. We recently spoke to current student Angelique Nicole Banks to get her take on studying in the heart of global tourism, her experience at NYU SPS so far, and her plans for the future.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Born and raised in the South, Banks has always felt a deep connection to her roots in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. With a passion for the arts from a young age, she initially dreamed of becoming a dancer, baker, or even an interior or fashion designer. While her professional aspirations have evolved, she still considers herself a creative soul. Her love for the arts now expresses itself through photography, attending dance shows, reading mystery novels, and exploring the world through travel.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Banks's interest in hospitality and tourism blossomed during her high school years. While participating in DECA, a career and technical student organization, she discovered her passion for the industry. &quot;I loved researching new hotels and restaurants,&quot; she says, recalling how travel publications like <i>Condé Nast Traveler</i> and<i> Travel + Leisure</i> became her go-to reads. Now a Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism major at NYU SPS, she is shaping her dream career in one of the world's most dynamic cities.</span></p>

<p>Though she hadn't initially set her sights on NYU, Banks applied on a whim—and when she was accepted, the decision to attend felt serendipitous. &quot;NYU allowed me to live in New York, a dream of mine,&quot; she reflects. What stood out to her about SPS was the small class sizes and the personal connections she was able to form with faculty and peers.</p> <p>Her journey at NYU SPS has given her a solid foundation in hospitality and tourism, providing her with the skills and confidence to navigate the industry. &quot;I'm able to understand hospitality jargon and concepts, which has helped me better navigate the workplace,&quot; she says. She's found the mentorship and career development resources, such as those offered by the Wasserman Center, invaluable in shaping her professional path.</p> <p>One of the most impactful courses Banks has taken at NYU has been Tourism Impacts &amp; Issues with Instructor Anna Ableson. The course challenged her to engage deeply with her peers, current events, and site visits, creating a collaborative and enriching learning experience. She credits the class with expanding her understanding of tourism and hospitality on a global scale.</p>

<p><span class="p-body">Looking ahead, Banks is considering two distinct career paths: aviation and law. &quot;A hospitality and tourism degree will be an asset to me as an aviation professional,&quot; she explains, citing her interest in providing guests with meaningful travel experiences. Alternatively, her passion for reading, writing, and analysis has sparked an interest in pursuing law. &quot;Whatever path I take, I'm sure it will be unconventional to some degree,&quot; she says.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">For incoming students, Banks advises embracing the opportunities NYU offers while staying grounded. &quot;Take advantage of all the resources,&quot; she says. &quot;Explore. Experiment. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to have everything figured out. Trust that it will all work out in the end.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Are you also passionate about travel? Make wanderlust your full-time job when you pursue a&nbsp;<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/bs-in-hotel-and-tourism-management.html">BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management</a>&nbsp;at NYU SPS today.</span></p>