Valentine is a French student ambassador at the prestigious Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. Read her story below and find out more about her university experience at EHL !
Profile
FIRST NAME : ValentineNATIONALITY : Franchçaise
RACE NAME : Licence en gestion de l’accueil
UNIVERSITY NAME : Lausanne Hotel School
TYPE OF BACCALAUREATE AND RESULT OBTAINED : Bac ES, summa cum laude (17.27)
NAME OF YOUR SCHOOL : Lycée Fénelon Sainte Marie A FUN DETAIL ABOUT YOU :I’m passionate about wine, and I’ve organized and now take part in international inter-school tasting competitions.
Why did you choose to study abroad?
Which course did you apply for abroad? Why did you choose this subject/curriculum for your Bachelor’s degree?
I applied for this Bachelor’s degree at the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland because I’ve always loved traveling and speaking foreign languages. Talking to professionals in the hotel industry, and doing an internship, I knew it would be the perfect fit for me.
What other schools did you apply to, and why did you end up choosing EHL?
I didn’t apply anywhere else, EHL is the best hotel school in the world and that’s why I chose it.
What was the admissions process like for you?
How did you go about writing your file?
At EHL, you have to choose one of three essay topics and explain your motivation for joining the program. 
What readings/resources did you find useful to mention in your Statement, and could you recommend to a student interested in applying for the same course?
I didn’t cite any specific sources. It was really about my personal experience.
Did you have to go to an interview? If so, how did you prepare?
I actually had to pass an interview. I practiced by doing mock interviews with a student at HEC Paris.
Why did you choose this particular university?
Have you been influenced by the rankings? Do you think students should look at rankings to choose?
I have indeed been influenced by the rankings. I think these rankings are interesting. However, they change regularly, and EHL is not only 1st in the rankings, but is also the first hotel school to have been created in the world and has a very strong international reputation, not only in the hotel world. 
Did the content of the curriculum at your particular university influence your choice of university?
Yes, the courses are business courses and not just hotel courses, which is not the case in many other hotel schools around the world.
What do you think of the campus and the city in which it’s located?
The campus is currently being renovated and will be finished in 2021, but is already very modern. Being originally from Paris, I find the city of Lausanne small, but there are so many other universities in this city that there are lots of events organized every week. 
What are the 3 things you like best about your university and the 3 things you’d like to improve?
I like the international aspect with over 100 different nationalities, the practical side mixed with theory, the family spirit. Unfortunately, the cost of the school is very high, and I think that’s the main problem. However, my parents see it as an investment in the future.
Avez-vous des amis internationaux (français ou autres) dans votre université ?
Are there many international students at your university? How easy do you find it to integrate and make friends at your university as a foreigner?
We have 114 different nationalities on campus and I’m friends with people from all over the world. Because everyone is different, it’s very easy to fit in, especially thanks to the many group projects and student committees. 
What’s your student residence like? Are you housed on campus?
What was your student residence like in 1st year (comfort, cleanliness, proximity to campus…)?
The residence was comfortable and clean. However, as the campus is currently undergoing major renovations, the residences have been completely refurbished and are all the more modern for it!
How far are the halls of residence from the university? Where do 2nd and 3rd year students live?
First-year students are virtually all on campus, within a 5-minute walk of the classrooms. 2nd and 3rd year students can apply for an on-campus apartment, or (like most) rent a flat in Lausanne or the surrounding area.
What’s the food like in your residence and in others? Is it possible to cook for yourself?
All the food on campus is produced by students under professional supervision and is really very good! We even have a Michelin-starred restaurant. There’s plenty of choice for dietary restrictions too. There are a few microwaves on campus, but students with a room and not an apartment can’t cook for themselves.
What was the process like to get a place in a residence? Which student residences would you recommend to French or international students at your university?
Priority is given to students in the preparatory year. For subsequent years, priority is given to students from outside the European Union.
Could you describe your experience at your university?
How many hours of lessons do you have each week?
It depends on each semester; the preparatory year is different because it’s made up of cooking, serving and housekeeping. On the whole, my days are less busy than in high school. The remaining time is spent working on group projects or taking part in student committees.
How much work?
It’s much smaller than in a private lycée or in a preparatory class, but there’s a lot of time-consuming group work.
Do you have exams once or several times a year?
I have exam sessions once a semester.
Are you involved in any student associations at EHL?
I’m very involved in student associations. I’m an ambassador for the school (in charge of recruitment, campus tours, student fairs), I was project manager for the organization of an international wine tasting competition, and I helped organize student parties twice a week. 
Is there anything about the university system in the country where you’re studying that you’d like to improve?
I don’t really know… Overall, I’m very satisfied with my school and its system.
Do you have any other comments or advice for students interested in applying to your school or other foreign universities?
I highly recommend the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. I was able to develop my self-confidence and become a real manager, all in an international context. There are many ways to get involved in student life and committees, which I highly recommend, as it allows you to put into practice what you learn in class. You get to manage budgets, teams and recruiters, and that makes all the difference on a CV! What’s more, the 2 internships in the preparatory year and 3rd year allow you to get your foot in the door (for 2 x 6 months) of the business world. The school offers a wide range of professional opportunities, and all these experiences help us to fine-tune our career aspirations.
