A group of undergraduate students from the School of Applied Management at the University of Westminster recently embarked on a sailing field trip to the Solent, a renowned sailing destination on the south coast of England. The five-day trip formed part of the School’s Learn to Sail programme, offering second-year students and apprentices the opportunity to develop core professional skills in a real-world environment.
The trip, organised by Head of School Dr Phillip McGowan, focused on personal growth and professional development, with students learning through discovery and enhancing their communication and teamwork abilities, building resilience and self-confidence.
Students Kalina Matharoo, Inas Choudhury Islam, Suraj Balra as well as Senior Lecturer in Construction Dr Carlos Jimenez-Bescos worked collaboratively to handle the daily tasks of sailing life, from navigating and sail handling to cooking and living aboard in shared quarters. The group travelled to Port Solent Marina on 30 May, returning on 4 June, and lived aboard 40-foot yachts as they navigated between ports including Cowes, Yarmouth, Lymington and Bucklers Hard.
Students were led by a team of professional sailing instructors who taught the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Competent Crew course, a recognised qualification in basic seamanship and yacht handling. They also had the chance to step up to Day Skipper level, which qualifies individuals to take charge of a yacht in familiar waters during daylight hours, combining practical leadership with navigational theory.
The trip emphasised inclusivity by prioritising first-time sailors, with places balanced between male and female students. No prior sailing experience or swimming ability was required, making the programme accessible to all.
The trip concluded with a celebratory dinner, where students were awarded their RYA Competent Crew certificates.
Alongside technical skills, the trip helped students build essential professional and interpersonal skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving. Living and working closely aboard the yachts also encouraged trust, empathy and resilience. For apprentices, the experience directly supported the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) required in their logbooks, enhancing both academic and workplace readiness.
Meral Crifasi, Lecturer in Applied Management and one of the academic members who participated, said: “Taking part in the recent sailing trip was transformative, not just in terms of skills gained, but in the way it challenged and shaped me personally. The real achievement was in the mindset shift: moving from following to leading, from reacting to anticipating and from being part of the crew to beginning to think and act like a skipper.”
Lecturer Dr Angel Ojukwu commented: “The sailing trip was a powerful lesson in teamwork, resilience and leadership. Watching students step out of their comfort zones and rise to new challenges on the water was inspiring. Being out at sea reminded us that learning doesn't always happen in a classroom, sometimes it comes with wind, waves and a shared sense of purpose.”
Real Estate BSc Honours student Kalina Matharoo added: “Sailing teaches you that no matter how unpredictable the conditions, it is calm collaboration and a clear sense of direction that carry you forward. The experience mirrored so many of the lessons we strive for in both personal and professional growth. I am grateful for the perspective, the camaraderie and the chance to learn outside the classroom.”
Another student, Roumayssa Kohaila, added: “I never imagined myself on a sailing boat - it taught me that I am stronger than I think. I am grateful for the chance to learn through doing, and not just listening or reading.”
This trip directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3: Good Health and Well-being, 4: Quality Education and 5: Gender Equality. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the School of Applied Management at Westminster.
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