SPS Stories
Student Spotlight
Sarah Weisbuch
Journeys of Global Insight with Sarah Weisbuch
Fast Facts
- Studied abroad in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Served as President of the Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Society (HTES)
- Professor Gaffney's Tourism in Puerto Rico course was a highlight of her time at NYU SPS
<p><span class="p-body">Sarah Weisbuch is a graduating student in the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-travel-and-tourism-management.html" target="_blank">MS in Travel and Tourism Management</a> program at the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/jonathan-m-tisch-center-of-hospitality.html" target="_blank">Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality</a>. During her time at NYU, Sarah had the opportunity to study abroad in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and has served as president of the <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/academics/divisions-and-departments/jonathan-m--tisch-center-of-hospitality/highlights/2022/Tisch-Center-Student-Club-Spotlight-HTES.html" target="_blank">Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Society (HTES)</a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Sarah sat down with us to give us some insight into some of her favorite parts of her NYU experience, her advice for prospective students, and her plans for the future.</span></p>
Making Memories Abroad
<p><span class="p-body">Studying abroad in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with Dr. Karaburun was one of Sarah's favorite experiences while earning her Master's degree at NYU. "We conducted market research on North American perceptions of both destinations, and Tisch Center alumni Soraya al-Olama and Natia Kvachadze set us up with amazing experiences in both destinations," she explains. Dr. Karaburun even gave a lecture on strategic branding while riding a camel through the desert, an unforgettable moment for Sarah and her classmates.</span></p>
Making Her Mark on NYU
<p><span class="p-body">One of Sarah's proudest achievements while studying at NYU was serving as the President of the Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Society (HTES) from 2020 to 2021. During her presidency, the club expanded to include ten board members and about 15 committee members—the largest team they had ever seen.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Reflecting upon the experience, Sarah says, "I'm proud of the way that we came together and created a sense of community despite having to meet remotely. It was an incredible group of students who taught me so much about support and collaboration during a challenging time." We're proud of her, too! </span></p>
The Highlight Reel
<p><span class="p-body">During her time with us, Sarah has too many stand-out moments to count. One of them is taking Professor Gaffney's Tourism in Puerto Rico course. The course took place during the spring semester of 2020 and followed the events in Puerto Rico as the pandemic unfolded.</span></p>
The shutdown of public school cafeterias on the island precipitated a widespread food crisis among families, so I collaborated with another student on ways that the tourism industry could intercede. We ultimately developed a strategy that leveraged the island's tourism infrastructure to address the food crisis. Prof. Gaffney and Prof. Ron Castro coached us through the process of fine-tuning the strategy and then pitching it to the CEO of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. The experience reinforced my interest in social impact and creative problem solving."
<p><span class="p-body">Sarah's innovative spirit and adaptability shone bright during this challenging time, and we're grateful for her willingness to jump into the center of her industry, even before graduating from NYU SPS.</span></p>
Advice for Future Students
<p><span class="p-body">As Sarah completes her Master's program, she has some choice advice for prospective students. She says, "I wish I had known about all the ways to get involved in student life at the Tisch Center! You can participate in research and seminars at the Travel and Tourism Research Collaboratory, develop as an entrepreneur at the HI Hub, organize panels and discussions related to our industries in HTES, etc. There's a niche for everyone."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">She's right, too! Getting involved in student life is a fantastic way to meet other students, network in the field, and develop as a professional. "Time flies by in grad school, so it's worth it to get involved early on," she adds.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">After graduation, Sarah hopes to find a position in monitoring and evaluation, sustainable destination management, or community-based tourism development. "I'm excited to see what the future holds!" she says.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Discover where an<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-travel-and-tourism-management.html" target="_blank"> MS in Travel and Tourism Management</a> at the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality can take you today.</span></p>
