Sonia and Pauline have been very helpful and encouraging since day one of meeting them. In the beginning, they would ask questions to try to know more about me and my learning style. From there, they know and would recommend programmes that would best suit me. After choosing the programme, they actively followed up with both myself and my parents organizing one-on-one coffee meetings to explain further details and discuss worries etc. I was also able to clarify my doubts regarding student experience and life in Switzerland. They remained in contact after my arrival on campus and until today are available whenever I needed them. We would highly recommend them to any future students to go to for university and career guidance.

1. Studying in Switzerland – Why did you choose Switzerland as a study destination. And how was your experience studying at Swiss Hotel Management School?

I am always an active person. It was perfect timing Sonia came to my school to introduce about Swiss Education Group. Since hospitality is more about practical rather than theories, the course offered a great mix of both. I think this type of studies suits my personality. What I like most about the practical classes are the real hands-on experience you get, the classes are fun. For example during one of our classes we get to take turns to be a real bartender and got a chance to make cocktails. Our lecturers are so helpful if you have any concerns or worries you can always ask.

Plus, when you think about hospitality you will straight away thing of Switzerland, the Birthplace and home of hospitality and has the top education in the World. At SHMS, you really learn and focus on social skill which are so important in the hospitality industry you need to know how to work and communicate with people with different cultures and backgrounds. Our class are such a great mix of international students. And for the academic classes, we get to learn the overall operations and management side in a hotel business such as accounting, yield management, economics, hygiene, front office and food & beverage skills, marketing etc. I would say is more about interest rather than academic results, what I mean to say is soft skills are most important in this industry. Once you graduate, you are not restricted to just hospitality industry only, but also banking, fashion, airlines, restaurants, marketing, human resources and more.

I believe the degree I will receive from SHMS will have a higher recognition when you are searching for jobs later in the industry. Given there are also many alumni’s based around the World.

2. My Program – Which program did you choose and describe in summary overall program about what you learned from the campuses.

The degree I choose is a 3 year degree program which consists of 4 semesters and 2 mandatory internships. I believe the decision to pursue my education in Switzerland has given me great advantages for my career. Throughout my experiences at Swiss Hotel Management School, I have witnessed the opportunities that are presented to me and my schoolmates as a young Swiss Hotelier. In addition, the diverse learning condition as well as the mash of cultures from students around the World has greatly prepared me in my path to becoming a successful hotelier or any business in the future. What is unique about this course, is that it is not solely learning about hotels only but also all aspects of Hospitality that can be events management, sales & marketing, tourism, human resources, finance, IT, luxury brand management and many more options which will be beneficial in my future jobs.

3. My Internship – Where did you do your internships and which one was your best experience out of all?

My first internship I chose to work as a management trainee in Bali, Indonesia at the beautiful Alila Resort. Overall, I had a great experience and learned a lot in Bali. Made many great colleagues and friends throughout my time there. I did a mix of all departments but mainly was at the Guest Relations and Front Office. And for my second internship I was super happy with the opportunity to go to Japan and work at the top luxury hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, a World renowned five star property in Japan. I had the chance to experience myself the true Japanese hospitality culture as they are also famous for great service and care. And, also it was easier for me to learn Japanese if I stayed there.

4. My Future – What are your goals after graduation? If graduated already – what is your current position and what do you do daily on your job. What do you love most about it, next career move?

Before I would say I prefer staying either in Asia or America. Japan will always be one of my favourite countries. The culture and language has always intrigued me.

Being a hotelier is all about service and providing a ‘home’ for guests. Giving them a home away from home so our jobs are to cheer people up and giving warm service so they can feel they are like at home.

Currently, there are a few more months until I graduate with my Degree. This time, I feel will go by extremely fast. Regarding my plans now for the future after graduation, I have two options in mind – 1. Doing a management training programme or 2. Pursuing a Master in Events Management.