INTERNSHIPS

Today the international hospitality industry on a global scale is one of the largest and fastest growing businesses in the World, and there are many opportunities across the globe for well trained hospitality students to become proficient executive hotel managers in both the developed and emerging markets of the world.

SHML-The Swiss College of hospitality Management as a progressive 21^st century hospitality college is introducing new concepts to both academic learning and practical sides (internships) to its learning processes.

As such SHML is offering a new model of internships for its students with the unique opportunity to either do their internships in Switzerland or with one of our international partner hotel companies wherever they operate quality hotels or resorts in the World.

These companies include;

· GHM who operate luxury hotels in Miami, Langkawi, Bali, Yangoon, Hoi An, Kulua Lumpur, Muscat, Phuket and Chiang Mai;

www.ghmhotels.com

· Swiss-Belhotel International operating in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Kuwait and Oman, with new destinations coming up in Jordan, Qatar, United Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen;

www. swiss-belhotel.com

· SPM operating in the South Pacific in destinations such as Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Tikehau, Nuku Hiva, Huahin and Tahiti;

www. pearlresorts.com

· Orient Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises who operate luxurious travel experiences in Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Australia and the Americas;

www. orient-express.com

International Internships

Students will have the opportunity of doing their practical training with any one of our partner hotel companies for their semester internships. This international option gives the pupil an enormous exposure to appreciate the workings of an operating quality hotel or resort in a luxurious environment whilst learning the cultural, practical and operational aspects of the hotel industry. For example, if a student chooses Orient-Express as their preferred internship company, the student could in theory do their first internship at the famous Hotel Cipriani in Venice, their second internship on the world famous Venice Simplon Orient-Express Train and the third internship on their deluxe cruise ship “ The Road to Mandalay”. The same goes for the other partnership hotel companies. On completion of all the courses at SHML and internships at a preferred company, the student has every chance of starting their new management career with the company in which they trained in.

Swiss Internships

In Switzerland internships have always been very important parts of the hospitality educational process as it offers students a wonderful opportunity to put into practice learning outcomes from the previous college semester, as well as the opportunity to improve their language skills in German, French or Italian. In Switzerland, there are many styles of hotels and resorts from Resort Palaces such as the Montreux Palace to famous city hotels such as the Baur au Lac in Zurich as well as family owned properties that have been owned by the same families for generations e.g. the Palace Hotel in Gstaad which will offer our students new perspectives within the hospitality industry.

Whether a student chooses an International or Swiss Internships or a combination of either, the students will be:

· Building their own confidence and integrity to serve customers;

· Learning the art of teamwork and working with others, respecting working colleagues and their working methods;

· Able to make the appropriate decisions when facing a customer or a situation;

· Having the capacity to analyze and think to find solutions to a specific challenge;

· Coping with stress and high pressure situations;

· Able to communicate effectively and make one understood by others in multi cultural working environment;

· Discovering new Swiss and International destinations; provided a full work experience, increase employability with certificates of employment, and open the doors to a permanent job.

Internship semesters at SHML are Semesters two, four and six and are usually for five to six months.

Semester two

Prior to this semester, all students will have prepared a resume at the beginning of semester one which will be used to secure their internship. Students will be schooled as to how to present themselves at interviews and provided with tips and suggestions in courses as to what to expect in an interview.

For their first internship, students will be required to work in restaurants, cafes, bars and banqueting and put into practice all their learning’s from semester one. Students will also be asked to read certain work books in preparation for their next semester and prepare a report on their internship for SHML and the Manager of their internship hotel. The report will be marked and go towards the following semesters college overall marks.

Semester four

During semester three, students will be required to update their resumes and attend interviews for the semester four internships.

For their second internship, students will be expected to work in a kitchen of a quality restaurant, hotel or resort for a fine dining room, cafe or brasserie in order to fully comprehend the daily, weekly and monthly productions of food operations. Students will again be required to read certain work books in preparation for their next semester and prepare a report on their internship for SHML and the Manager of their internship hotel. The report will be also be marked and go towards the following semesters college overall marks.

Semester six

For their last internship, students will be required to complete their studies by doing an administrative internship in either a room’s division position e.g. Front office, Housekeeping, or Accounts department, where all their learned skills at College can be put into practice. At the end of this semester, qualified students will either start their new careers or go onto their Bachelor degree program at the University of Gloucestershire. Students who decide to start their careers at this stage can at a later stage return and complete their bachelor degree.

Our professional internship and Human Resource Office is dedicated to helping Students to find the perfect job and location to develop their professional skills. The role of the internship office is to advise and assist all students to secure an internship in Switzerland or in one of our partnership companies. In Switzerland students are able to earn CHF 2,340.00 per month gross, but  will have to pay for subsidised board lodging and social security. For students going overseas for their internships, SHML will ensure that the students are well cared for both in board and lodging and wages. However it depends on local customs what especialy concerns salaries.

The Internship office will take care of all official papers required by the working laws of Switzerland and countries overseas where students will carry out their internship. They will also ensure that proper contracts are provided for all students and will be in contact with the Student and Employer during the internship periods.