Experiences abroad put students ahead of their peers
Jordana Stier | LIFE REPORTER
Students are able to get better jobs after studying abroad, said Humber’s Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism Program co-ordinator Anna Kulinski.
“The world is so globalized and we have a need for students with international experience,” Kulinski said.
She said being exposed to different countries, cultures and languages are very valuable experiences that can put students ahead of their peers and co-workers when it comes to attaining that dream job.
For the past four years, hospitality and culinary students have had the opportunity to study abroad for two weeks in Europe, in countries such as Germany and France, participating in events that specialize in hospitality and culinary workshops.
“This year they are going to Italy and they visit restaurants, hotels, food services, like chocolate, wineries, factories and things like that,” Kulinski said.
The Travel Tourism Management Program offers Humber students “the opportunity to take a learning trip to a destination of their choice,” Kulinski said.
The Tourism Hospitality Program allows students to complete their fourth semester in Strasbourg, France at Schiller University.
Following their studies, they do a field placement in Europe which lets them attain “international work experience,” Kulinski said.
“Some students have the opportunity to have a contract with Hilton Hotels that they stay with the placement for an entire year.”
The benefits of studying abroad are countless. Besides the fact that having international experience will make a student a more desirable candidate for a job.
Kulinski said it brings “flavor to the kitchen, to the restaurant or whatever it is that they will be doing.”
When students study abroad, many learn the language, which is very important to employers in Canada.
“We’re so multicultural and you have visitors from other countries that are coming here as well,” Kulinski said.
“When you have more languages you’re more aware of the culture; that’s a huge benefit for you.”
For students who are not in Humber’s hospitality, culinary and tourism management schools, they can find programs that apply to their school by going to the college transfer guide, located on Humber’s main website, said Dalyce Newby, a Humber international student adviser.
Programs are arranged between the different schools and allow students to transfer credits.
“The school has articulation agreements with different schools overseas . . . for example it might say if you study and get your diploma here and get 70 per cent then maybe you might be able to transfer to whatever university you want.”
“Some of those universities just happen to be outside of Canada,” Newby said.
“Those are agreements that the school of media studies, the school of hospitality, recreation and tourism, the school of whoever have engaged in making those arrangements.”
Examples of transfer destinations include Australia, New York, British Columbia and England. “It’s a whole life experience,” Newby said.
