Studying abroad is something I never aspired to do while planning for college. My school, Mitchell College, did not have a study abroad program, so I never really gave it any thought. That being said, I am a person who loves to travel and loves going on adventures. Flying on an airplane, riding on a train, road trips, and going on boats excite me the most. I remember road trips to Florida with my family and how excited I was to be able to just have time to myself and look out the window while listening to music. I don’t travel often, but when I do, I’m probably the happiest person at that very moment.  I simply love to travel.

I am currently in my junior year at Mitchell, majoring in Hospitality and Tourism. This semester, my department started working with a study abroad consultant and an opportunity came up that I jumped on.  This Spring, I will be studying at a school called Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland. Les Roches is ranked amongst the top three Hospitality schools in the world for an international career and attracts students from over eighty-five different nationalities worldwide. The school’s motto is, “It’s not just a school, it’s a way of life.” I found the school’s intentions for their students very unique and hands-on, and so, I fell in love. Les Roches is located in Crans-Montana in the small village of Bluche.  It’s a beautiful campus in a valley of the Swiss Alps and the vistas are breathtaking. From what I have read online, they say that the students feel like they’re not living on a traditional campus; they feel as though they’re living in a village. With the school’s location, students can take day trips to Italy, France, Germany or even Austria.  I hope to see them all.

Another reason I decided on Les Roches is that in addition to taking several courses related to hotel management and operations, I will also be interning at a resort called LeCrans Hotel and Spa. It’s a beautiful 5-star property where I hope to put my book learning into practice and learn more about the Swiss way of hospitality.

Being able to study abroad will open many doors for me.  As they say, it’s truly a once in a lifetime experience – it’s life-changing! I expect it will be as I meet people from all over the world, learn to appreciate different cultures, try new foods, and do what I love most, travel and have fun!

Uncategorized