Studying abroad: how to choose the right hotel management course?
Can you imagine yourself as the manager or director of a hotel or restaurant? If so, a hotel management school is for you! The diversity of courses offered by these schools will enable you to specialize in the field that suits you best. But where should you choose to study hotel management?
In Switzerland
Switzerland is home to some of the world’s finest hotel schools. High-quality infrastructure, renowned professors, alumni networks and a wide range of courses make these establishments truly international benchmarks. This academic excellence is reflected in world rankings, with Swiss hotel schools such as École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Les Roches and Glion regularly topping the list.
Hotel training courses generally include both practical training (tableware, pastry-making, etc.) and theoretical training (modern languages, management, economics, etc.), so that students benefit from a solid education, complemented by internships to gain professional experience.
However, Swiss excellence comes at a price: for EHL, Les Roches or Glion, you’ll still need to budget in excess of €140,000 for the four-year Bachelor’s program. EHL does, however, award scholarships to talented and promising students, depending on the funds available and the number of applicants.
Valentine, a student at the École hôtelière de Lausanne, explains why. why she made this choice : « I applied for the Bachelor’s program at EHL because I’ve always loved traveling and speaking foreign languages. Talking to professionals in the hospitality industry, and doing an internship, I knew it would be the perfect fit for me. I love the international aspect of the school, with over 100 different nationalities, its practical side mixed with theory, and its family spirit. All the food on campus is produced by the students under professional supervision, and it’s really very good! We even have a Michelin-starred restaurant at Michelin Guide. Malgré le coût important de l’EHL, je recommande vivement cette école. J’ai pu m’y épanouir en prenant confiance en moi, en devenant un vrai manager, et le tout dans un contexte international. Il y a de nombreux moyens de s’impliquer dans la vie étudiante et ses comités, ce que je recommande vivement car cela permet d’appliquer concrètement ce que l’on apprend en cours. On gère des budgets, des équipes, on recrute, et cela fait la différence sur un CV ! De plus, les deux stages en année préparatoire et en troisième année permettent de mettre un pied (pendant deux fois six mois) dans l’entreprise et le monde du travail. L’école offre de nombreuses opportunités professionnelles et toutes ces expériences nous permettent d’affiner nos souhaits de carrière. »
In the United States
Some of the most prestigious hotel chains, such as Hilton and Marriott, are based in the USA, and recruit their staff from American hotel schools. The wide range of courses offered by these establishments are mainly focused on the hotel, restaurant and tourism industries, and enable students to acquire all the skills they need to work in this sector. Cornell University, a member of the renowned Ivy League, was the first American university to offer hospitality management training. It is recognized as a leader in the hospitality industry. The reputation of excellence enjoyed by Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration (SHA) is justified by the high level of training it offers, the quality of its infrastructure, the richness of its alumni network and its investment in research in this field.
In the Netherlands
Hotelschool The Hague in the Netherlands is another great option in Europe. Its international environment, with over 75 nationalities on campus, and the theoretical and practical training it offers have forged its reputation for quality for almost a century (1929).The Bachelor’s program lasts four years, during which students can develop their collaborative, management and leadership skills, not least thanks to the numerous group assignments offered throughout the curriculum. Two six-month international internships are an integral part of the Bachelor of Hotel Management (BAHM) program, enabling students to gain solid professional experience during their studies. Courses are taught in English, and students can choose a second language for further study.
The major advantage of the Hotelschool over other Swiss or American hotel schools is its low cost: tuition is around €3,400 per year, with on-campus accommodation and ancillary training costs costing around €6,750 in the first year. There are also two start dates per year: in February or August.
Find all the answers to your questions about studying abroad. our book “Etudier à l’étranger après le Bac” (Studyrama Editions).
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