Pick from the global platter

Gauri Chhabra

Even as the domestic college admission season draws to a close, those looking for courses and colleges abroad are still in the process of selecting colleges and courses and sending the final applications. While a few years back, students flocked only to countries like the UK, the USA and Australia. Now there has been a tectonic shift and students have gravitated to the lesser-known destinations like Germany, Norway, Malaysia, France etc. The reasons for this shift are many — the quality of education, fee and living expenses, global exposure and cultural experiences, internship and placement opportunities.

Today, the choice of courses has also undergone tremendous changes over the years. Moving away from the conventional courses, many students choose courses in design and fashion technology, hospitality management etc.

For hospitality management, students prefer countries like Switzerland and Australia. Based on the current economic trends, these earlier lesser known countries offer a more valuable degree now and would prove to be the cash cows for the coming few years. Hospitality education is on the road to growth in these countries.

From a career perspective also, over the past 10 years hospitality higher education responds to the current demand of the hospitality industry for highly specialised and function-oriented professionals within the field.

Courses

There is a wide range of options in these countries in case you wish to pursue a course abroad. You can study at diploma, bachelor or master’s level. The bachelor’s degree requirements are minimum 20 years of age with a successfully completed Higher Diploma and if your mother tongue is other than English, you must provide an IELTS 5.5 - 6.0 or equivalent certificate in order to receive an offer by the university.

Getting in

For admissions into hospitality education courses abroad you need to keep in mind deadlines. An ideal time frame is 3-6 months before your intended course start date. Application forms are available. You have to meet admissions deadlines, give mandatory tests and arrange finances to show for admissions. SOP, LORs too take time and have to be well presented. The earlier you plan the better it is.

Documents

Each course has its own set of documents required to be attached to the application form. Besides, a non - refundable application fee, you would be required to produce:

• Completed Application Form
• Educational documents
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of recommendations
• Mandatory Tests like SAT and/or IELTS/ TOEFL

Visa processing

To study abroad you need a student visa. Many a times, students miss out in going abroad due to visa refusals or lose a semester due to delays. If you have a letter of admission from an overseas college it will help you to do your student visa. Student visa for study in USA, Canada, Australia, UK, Singapore, New Zealand, Ireland & Switzerland etc. have built in work permits/part time work permits in them.

Procedure

Once your application form is filled in properly and your documents attached, the visa file has to be made in the correct format as per the country. It is then submitted to the correct authority along with the appropriate visa application fee. Some countries require online submission & pre payment of visa fees before they give you an interview date. Some countries will call you for an interview, some will interview you on the phone and some will grant the visa without an interview. Student visa labels are affixed on your passport and you are ready to fly.

The Road Ahead

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in 10 years' time, the tourism and hospitality industry will grow 10%, adding almost 72 million additional jobs and supporting a total of 338 million jobs worldwide. In the case of India, the contribution of the travel and tourism economy to employment is expected to rise by 23% there, from 39 million to 48 million jobs, by 2022. In 2022, 8% of all jobs in India will be in the travel and tourism industry.

The numbers predict it all. So, gather your wits and chase the newer greener pastures in Hospitality.

— The writer is a Punjab-based career consultant Australia

Destination Next

Australia

Hefty remuneration packages, better hands on learning at some of the best hotels provide ample opportunities for interning and placements in Australia. There are world class universities & colleges which offer both management and culinary arts programmes at the undergraduate level.

The main attraction is that you may also work 40 hours part-time in a fortnight that can take care of some of the expenses. Besides, it allows you to stay back and work for 2 years on completion of your course. Some hotels and restaurants also sponsor students for their hands on training programs. One of the most sought after destinations because of the in depth curriculaand placement opportunities, Australian colleges attract and produce foreign students with stellar academic record and functional skills.

Some of the degrees/diplomas offered the undergraduate level are:

• Diploma of Business (international Hotel And Resort Management) - Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
• Diploma of Hospitality (culinary Management) - Victoria University
• Bachelor of Hospitality Management - Edith Cowan University
• Graduate Diploma of International Hospitality Management - James Cook University

New Zealand

Another very popular destination due to its liberal part time work permit of 20 hours per week and 1 Year job search or work visa on completion of MZQA level 5 qualifications. Most international students find jobs in the hospitality industry and are able to apply for Permanent Residence.

Top Colleges are: Auckland University of Technology, Manukau, Weltech.

Top Culinary Colleges are: Manukau, NSIA, and Weltech

Ireland

Another destination that is affordable is Ireland as it offers 20 hours per week part time work while studying. Besides, it English speaking and part of European Union.

It is advisable to start preparing approximately a year in advance. This is in order to secure a student visa, apply to the schools of your choice, and be able to provide proof that you can afford your living during the period that you intend to stay in the country. Visa requirements vary for each parent country. You should apply in advance through the Embassy or Consulate of Ireland in the student's home country or nearest neighboring country.

Top Hotel Management Colleges are:

• Shannon College of Hotel Management
• Dublin Institute of Technology, Cork Institute of Technology.
• Top Culinary Colleges are: Dublin Institute of Technology, Cork Institute of Technology

Singapore

Singapore is an excellent option as the courses are taught in English and less expensive when compared to similar courses in the USA, UK or Australia. The city-state is cosmopolitan in view and the local laws ensure that all citizens are treated with respect. The administrative efficiency of the government ensures that students get facilities like the subsidized travel pass — StudentPass and other benefits. You would not be allowed to work while studying but most courses have paid internships. You can apply for work permit on completion of the course.

Top Hotel Management Courses are

• Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Management Cornell - Nanyang Technological University (NTU Nan yang Institute,)
• One-year full-time Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Management (Tourism and Hospitality Management)- ERC Institute
• Bachelor of Business in International Hospitality Management -Management Development Institute of Singapore MDIS

Switzerland

Switzerland boasts of world class institutes for hospitality management. However, it does not allow you to work or stay back after completion of their studies. You have to return to your country and look for jobs.

• Bachelor in International Hotel Management, Bachelor in Global Hospitality Management,Diploma Hotel Management- Ecole de Lausanne,
• Bachelor in Hotel and Tourism Management César Ritz Colleges
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Art
• University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland
• University of St. Gallen