BMIHMS Film interviewee: Jessica, Mexican bachelor student

Joining us all the way from Mexico, the fabulous Jessica came to Australia to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Resort Management. You may recognise her from the various campaigns and brochures posted on campus and online advertising the school.  Jessica faced a bit of a culture shock when she moved across the globe to live in Leura, but the multicultural environment and campus lifestyle became one of her greatest experiences.

What was it like being interviewed by a film crew for the Blue Mountains film?

It was a very exciting and great experience. I am happy to be part of the production of this video.

Why did you choose to come to Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School?

I chose to come to BMIHMS because of the opportunity to study in a multicultural environment while getting actual work experience. Not only are we allowed to work casually while being a full-time student, the curriculum involves actual industry placements where we can gain real and relevant experience.

Describe your biggest learning experience while studying at Blue Mountains?

My biggest learning experience was managing the sudden change of living to a smaller, but nice, area. Campus life is was such a change of lifestyle and culture from what I was used to. The campus operated like an actual hotel and added to the education and experience I received at BMIHMS.

Favourite Australian activity?

My favourite activities included taking a walk in the Blue Mountains area and enjoying the natural scenery. Just being in the natural environment was very enjoyable.

What is your future career aspirations/goal?

I would like to get more experience in different sectors of the hotel business. This way, I will be able to choose the most suitable position and jump into a managerial position in the future.

Alumni blog, Joshua Gardener

We recently awarded Joshua Gardner the BMIHMS Alumni of the Month in recognition of his career and the setting up of his own company Peregrina. It seems like just yesterday when Joshua was going out on first his placement in 1999 where he took the opportunity to start his career in hospitality at the boutique Seaview Hotel on the Isle Wright (UK). The hotel won ‘The Small Business of The Year Award’ at that time.  During his first placement he met one of the hotel regular guests, who was in the process of opening a five-star hotel, One Aldwych. This was offered to Josh and accepted as his second placement.

Josh was assisting in the Concierge Department of One Aldwych. The then Head of Concierge of the hotel advised him to approach Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, being one of the best hotel groups in the world, he assisted in arranging an interview for Josh.  The interview was the success, guaranteeing a position with the Four Seasons Hotel London Park Lane upon graduation. Great contacts and an ability to take good opportunities helped Josh to establish his career in early days and decided his future.

Joshua wanted to become a Head Concierge. To achieve this while he was working at Four Seasons London, he went out with a London Street Map to study the city every weekend.  After a short time working in Four Seasons Park Lane Josh was promoted and worked as the Communications Manager and later Director of Security. After nine months he attained his long-awaited and much-desired Head Concierge Role.  At the age of 23 Josh Gardner had become one of the youngest Head of Concierge of a top hotel in London.

When Four Seasons Park Lane closed in 2008 for renovation Josh used his London contacts and sent letters to key restaurants, hotels and people with whom he had worked to inquire about available career opportunities. A director of the Ivy – exclusive London Restaurant – contacted Josh and offered him a role as Concierge Manager for Caprice Holdings Group, The Birley Group and Soho House. His role expanded exponentially. After a year with the company he was promoted to the Director of Business Development.

While being a part of a marketing team Joshua recognised a gap in the market for a specialist brand-positioning consultancy with truly professional knowledge of the London luxury sector, combined with a superior understanding the necessity for subtle promotion and rigorous attention to detail.

Joshua now runs his own company called Peregrina. This company provides the insider’s advice for the world of luxury. It will enable clients to both maintain and grow new customer bases and reposition businesses within London luxury market.

It is always very exciting to hear of BMIHMS graduates being successful all over the world. We wish Joshua every success with his new venture. I look forward to following his career.

http://peregrina.co.uk/

Val Cook
Alumni Ambassador

One journey ends, another begins

Blue Mountains recent graduate, Sonia

Hi everyone,I am Sonia. I just graduated from Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School with a Bachelor of Business in Hotel and Resort Management. This degree was a pretty exciting and interesting time of my life.My family is originally from Vietnam, but I was born in Moscow, Russia. I spent 11 years of my life in Russia and 6 years in Vietnam, which has given me an interesting and exciting cultural background.

What made me come to study in Australia you ask??? . . . because I wanted to meet people from different cultural backgrounds. Australia seemed a perfect destination. My choice of the school was hugely influential in my decision-making.  I always wanted to study in a prestigious hotel school,  one that could teach me all the operating skills to become a great hotel manager.  The Blue Mountains Hotel Management School was my first choice and still remains one of the best choices of my life.

I started my university life when I was just 17 and a half, which made me ‘The youngest sister of my intake’.

Because of my young age I had to alter the program slightly from others in my intake and lived off campus in homestay for 6 months. Homestay was great! I experienced living with a true Aussie family. When I turned 18 I joined my peers and enjoyed the campus life with all its fun. Some of my friends still tease me about my time being underage, but I know it gave me to have the unique experience to enjoy time with my Aussie family and appreciate the ‘crazy’ student life at the same time.

Industry placements were a highlight and an exciting part of my degree. They allowed experiencing further areas of Australia and added to the whole Blue Mountains experience. My first internship was in various Food and Beverage outlets at the Hyatt, Perth. The second  I worked in Cairns, Queensland as a receptionist for the Novotel. Both industry placements gave me not only great working experience, but also a lot of travelling. I went to Margaret River, Fremantle and other cool destinations in Western Australia. Cairns gave me some great adventurous experiences. I tried sky diving, scuba diving and went to explore Great Barrier Reef and Queensland’s many islands and rainforests. I met a shark during one of my scuba dives. It was pretty scary I reckon. I even swam with wild dolphins!

Of course my last year studying in Sydney was quite busy. However I still tried to find some time to have some fun. I went to learn surfing with my Irish housemate. I did fall from the board quite a few times and nearly hit couple of people. But my friend thinks that I have some  ‘hidden’ talent and should persist.

Alongside all these fabulous experiences I achieved my original goal. I met so many different people in these places. I made friends with not only Australian locals, but with a lot of international people. I gained essential experiences and skills to make my hospitality career a reality.

Sadly after 2.5 years living and studying in Australia my time is up! I am no longer a student but a graduate. ‘One journey ends and another begins’. I am starting this journey . I may end up in Dubai – one of the most modern cities of the world, or in the Maldives to develop my skills in scuba diving and surfing (:

Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School in Australia has been one of my greatest choices of my life. It not only made me stronger and smarter, but also gave me some great life experiences.

You never know where you will end up next.

With love,

Sonia

BMIHMS Hotel and Resort Management Graduate

5 Star concierge services on Sydney campus

As a member of staff I meet students everyday from all over the world with stories that inspire. Today I wish to introduce Pedro. Pedro Ribeiro is Portuguese he traveled to Australia to become an undergraduate student of the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS). Keen to study Hotel and Resort Management he has left his legacy on the Sydney campus through his introduction of a concierge services.

From an academic family, they were initially skeptical of his career choice. Hospitality is not a common career path for the Portuguese. However, Pedro proved how passionate he was about the hospitality industry with strong beliefs in the benefits to his career, International travel being a key consideration. Pedro opted for big hotel chains, as he could see how his career would progress quickly.

Pedro chose to study in Australia undertaking the Bachelor of Business program at BMIHMS a prestigious hospitality degree with two practical internships offered. Undertaking his first internship in Agsana, a Great Barrier Reef Resort (part of Thai Banyan Tree brand) allowed him to learn ‘hands on’ about food and beverage/restaurant management within a resort. He happily discovered the working conditions in Australia were fantastic. The level of transparency from management, hours and pay were considerably appealing. Pedro never looked back about his decision.

His second internship, in Rooms Division, at the Hotel Intercontinental Sydney, Pedro was offered a casual position, where he currently works now– post graduation.  Pedro works within concierge services at this 5-star hotel as a porter. A hotelier’s customer service skills working at their highest.  Pedro works at an elite level of guest services.

Applying his skills into a new initiative Pedro introduced a concierge service to students and staff of BMIHMS Sydney Campus. This service was developed to make both student and staff’s life easier. The services include dry cleaning, restaurant and table booking, postage and city information about Sydney. Pedro even found a suitable babysitter for one of the staff member!

A service skill taught at our practical learning center on Leura campus now operates in full swing on our city campus. Sadly for us, Pedro must now hand over the reigns of his initiative to Eitan Swartz, South African/Australian student who will now manage the position.

Both staff and students alike will remember Pedro’s bright personality, skills and dedication to customer service. We all wish him all the best in his future career.

Gabrielle BM

What story are you writing?

One of my favorite authors is Tony Morrison I began reading her books in high school, she is a Nobel Peace Prize award winning author who writes timeless and very thought and emotion provoking books. Her books are intense and most of the time I have to read them twice to understand it completely.

In an interview she did she said  “I wrote my first novel because I wanted to read it” I believe that after reading that it was at that moment that I changed the way I was writing the story of my life.

If you really think about the depth of what she said you can see that she didn’t just want to write a story that was going to be good enough for others to read but she herself wanted to read it.

I realised that I too wanted to do the same. Growing up I always wanted to write a book, never sure as to what about, but I’ve always wanted to write and have it published. Eventually I thought I’d write a book about my life, I think it’s fair to say that I have been through my fair share of tragedy, triumph and all that falls in- between.

However who would read it?

I am a normal girl with big dreams, a heart that loves to serve people. What about my life is interesting enough to write about?

That’s where Morrison’s quote came in, I need to write a story that I would want to read. To do this I need to take chances, leap with faith to pull me through. I need to live a life that would be worth reading.

At 18 I moved from Toronto to Jasper, Alberta, at 21 I moved from Toronto to Sydney, Australia and at 23 I moved from Sydney to Amsterdam and in between all of these different  places that I’ve called home I’ve traveled and lived. I’ve learned and whenever fear takes over I remember about the book I aim to write. With my failures and accomplishments and the lessons that come I will have plenty of material.

To students who are inquiring as to whether or not to take that big leap and move across the country or across the World for a unique and international education. I’d say that you should indeed do it.

If asking the question,

‘Should I begin, or continue my studies at Blue Mountain International Hotel Management School’?

Yes. There is so much support, is impossible to make the wrong choice to study in a place where internationalism is not only tolerated but CELEBRATED! Go ahead and take a chance, because I am in my final pages of my Australian chapter. . . and  to-date  it’s the chapter that  I want to read over and over again.

Internationally Yours,
Alisha

It’s the SimpleThings that Matter

The three girls

It’s been 19 days since I arrived in Amsterdam, I absolutely love it!I am in love with Europe it is exactly the way I thought I would be. The history, the fashion, the culture, the richness of  people are everywhere, and so are the crazies ruthlessly riding bikes in the city.

Everyday is a new adventure I’m not sure what each day will bring me but I always welcome it with open arms, now’s the time to be curious and now is the time to enjoy the unpredictable.

I work at an amazing hotel in the heart of Amsterdam, a property I am more than happy to not only be apart of but to also represent, even beyond the 9 to 5:30 work day. There is one thing however that I enjoy most on my way to work and it’s ‘ The Girls’ the name i’ve given the three beautiful swans that elegantly float down the Amstel, on my way to work. There is something so graceful about them, they move without making too much of a splash you almost wonder how it’s physically possible to move through water with such finesse. They are the best part of every morning, they care on just as I do and as we bid each other adieu it’s without words or sound.

Every new country I move to is a new opportunity to experience something i’ve never experienced before and I’ve come to see that in life it truly is the little things. Seeing these three swans each morning isn’t something that is grand, it’s not something to shout from the roof top but right in morning at the very beginning of my day is a small touch of this worlds beauty that I absolutely look forward too and love.  Often in life we try and aim big, go big or go home, and only can see accomplishments, and beauty in the big things in life and forget the little simple things. In a masterpiece it is many small strokes that create the picture it is not one big stroke.

If you get the chance STOP, look around and you’ll see that everyday, on every corner there is something small that is beautiful, the big things are nice but the small things usually come with so much more meaning, take a look you will find it.

Alisha

Undergraduate student,
International Hotel Management 2013

The Journey of a Thousand Miles

Alisha starting her journey

There is a saying that goes ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step’- Lao Tzu which is exactly the path that we’re all taking.

Each of us individually is on a path, we’re heading in the same direction but each of our courses and life’s direction will take us to different endings. There is so much beauty in knowing that we’re all in this together but yet we’re all so different.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Leura at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School. I can remember the day I first arrived at campus on 28 September, 2011, I was filled with so much excitement and with so much eagerness to explore; not only my surroundings but also my own capabilities. It’s amazing to look back now as I commenced my final term on the Leura campus

The quiet small town life of the Blue Mountains town of Leura wasn’t always as exciting as the big city from which I came.  I am a girl who was raised in the big city of Toronto, Canada where there is nothing better than fast paced pedestrians,sirens and city noises. Leura still has it’s own unique pace and a certain ‘Je ne sais pas ce que’ to it which is a certain I don’t know what. Either way it has only enhanced my learning.

In my first nine months I have made many amazing new friends. I have learned so much about myself. I have grown and developed in a way I could have never done with the experiences of my time in Leura and Australia as a whole.

Not everyone I was once close with, am I still close with, which has equally been all apart  of the journey I am on. What makes us different is where we come from, where we want to go and what we want to do but equally and uniquely we’re all the same, we’re all filled with the same passion for the hospitality industry and we’re all pieces of a bigger puzzle.

I have now returned home for Christmas with many steps and many miles into another aspect of my journey to come. The next stop for me is Amsterdam, Holland for my second year placement. I am so excited to take you with me on my odyseey across three continents Australia-North America-Europe, each offering it’s very own experiences, adventures and learning curves.

I don’t expect any of it to be easy, I can only expect it to be worth it.

Internationally yours,

Alisha

Undergraduate student,
International Hotel Management 2013

4/5 done with my Bachelors!

WOW! Time flies! I cannot believe that I am now a Year 3 student! This means that I am 4/5 done with my degree and I only have one semester left! My second industry placement is officially completed. Reaching the end of my internship at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok was challenging.  I was very happy working at Hotel and during the 5 month period I feel like I have only just found my feet only to leave. I enjoyed the routine of the day and the job in particular suited me.

Taking time to strategically choose what sort of placement would suit me was smart. Over the pass 5 months, I gained a huge amount of knowledge from a great hotel that included many memorable experiences with a great team of people.

My next goal is to take everything I have learned from my second industry placement back with me to university. Having worked in the Human Resources department I was mainly learning about people. I have been having daily reminders of the importance of intercultural communication skills. I believe that this is also having a real positive impact on my personality when dealing with people and even my own friends.

The opportunity to work in the Human Resources Department of the Shangri-La Hotel has taught me to be a smarter and to project a better response in conflict management issues. They have taught me how to deal with all big issues in the simplest possible way.

It was an honour for me to have had the opportunity to learn from such experienced people who have patiently taught me the tactics of ‘dealing with people.’

I am now preparing to return to Australia, where I will become part of the Sydney campus. I am nervous to start this new experience. No longer living on campus and not being around friends all the time, cooking for myself, etc . . . Who knows what I will do! However, I am excited to face these new challenges.

I believe that being able to face the challenges head on that new experiences bring (every six months) is essential to making it through this degree!

With lots of love,

Jyotika
Thailand, 3 year student

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok

I had given some serious thought to my second placement, perhaps 6 months prior to starting. I have always had the passion for marketing, so I knew this could be the opportunity to gain some experience in the marketing field. Studying a degree in Hotel Management I believe I can create a career path for myself in many areas.Using the Hotel School’s resources/curriculum at this time in my studies have put my passions into a reality. I underwent an interview with the Area Director of Training of the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, and accepted a position shortly afterwards.

Hence I became a trainee in the Human Resources Department at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, I have learnt numerous things, may it be the content of the Human Resources Department itself or even dealing with different perspective of the many situations that arise at a workplace.

Throughout my time in the Human Resources Department,  my guidance adviser, teacher and now friend was Mr Suradej Soonsomboon (Human Resources Manager). Mr Soonsomboon shared his energy towards teaching me from his experiences and knowledge in the hospitality industry and specifically in Human Resources.

Throughout nearly 5 months of training at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, I have learnt numerous things, all the way from updating employee’s database and employee’s record to sourcing candidates, conducting interviews, attending regular Human Resources meetings, letter writing, Talent Management System of the hotel, drafting hotel policies, helping with the World Economic Forum Meeting database, staff turnover analysis, job posting, regular monthly celebrations, conducting various survey (turnover, salary), compile together Key Performance Indicators, attending recruitment training, filing GM Bible, visa application letters, regularly updating vacancy list, help organize staff activities (sports day and team building), participate and help in CSR Embrace workshops, completing headcount analysis, completing manning 2012 data and analysis, checking staff attendance, budgeting and monthly staff analysis, organising hotel celebrations, long service awards administration, an Academy Hospitality Management Project (SLBK-Training)and compiling various policies and procedures.

As I left the Blue Mountains Hotel Management School and started working in the industry, my goal was to bring out everything I have learned from the School to the real world. Along with this, my objective is to learn everything the hotel has to teach me, gain more experiences and grow into an adult. My main objective was to meet the standards of  a hotel  of such standing. Being part of the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok was great and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work within this organisation and its great team of people.

with lots of love,

Jyotika Khanijou

Working with the Rich and Famous/First Student Industry Placement

L-R Pearl Sarasiri, Mr Stephen Twinings, Jyotika Khanijou (BMIHMS student)

When I was applying for my first work placement/ internship, I asked my career development coordinator if she thought I could get in to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Thailand. I know how prestigious the hotel is. She encouraged me to apply, assured me to be confident and trust in myself. Well I was accepted! I was extremely nervous, and not at all sure whether to be happy about what would either be a challenging role or just plain scary.

Would I be able to live up to the standards of the Hotel? I started my work placement in the Food and Beverage Department for one month, continued to work in Banqueting for nearly three months and completed my training in The Verandah Restaurant, where I did breakfast shifts.

Throughout my student placement I gained many experiences and accelerated my learning that begun at the Hotel School.  Clearing plates; ballroom/function room set-up; participation in busy functions– weddings; food and beverage work, to the behind-the-scenes administration operations all jobs now seem less daunting as my confidence is grows.

Who would have thought I would welcome royalty on a student placement? Well I did! I welcomed the Princess of Thailand to the hotel for a meeting held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a Thai national, I know what a rare opportunity it is to even see a member of the Royal family in Thailand. In Thailand, everyone believes that it is a big honour to have a Royal family member close to you.  .  .  and here I was welcoming one into the ballroom and taking her down to have her lunch.

Rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous did not end there; I also accompanied my manager to the Parliament House of Thailand to cater to the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Abhisit Vejajiva, along with many other ministers from around the world.

Another claim to fame highlight was the chance to meet and speak personally with the owner of the Twinings Tea Company, Mr. Stephen Twinings. Mr. Twinings visited the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok for a seminar, where he trained all employees (including me) about Twinings Tea. I proved that Blue Mountains Hotel School students do well, even in fun quizzes, and won a gift hamper from Mr Twinning himself.

Of course it isn’t just a chance to meet famous people; this experience has begun building ­­professional relationships that will be part of my future network in the hospitality industry forever. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I feel I have gained an extended family through working with such fantastic people in such a prestigious place. All thanks to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Thailand . .  and the Blue Mountains Hotel Management School of course!
With lots of love,

Jyotika Khanijou