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HOLLAND
COLLEGE • January 14, 2003
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COLLEGE
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| ATHI
students to discover Chile in hospitality program By Sean Kelly A new post-diploma program introduced this fall by the Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute will give Canadian students a chance to discover a unique culture in a foreign country. The International Tourism and Hospitality Management program will send five students from the ATHI to locations in Chile for eight weeks. They leave Feb. 5 and will remain in Chile, either working in a job placement or attending university, until April 4. Alex Feldman, a coordinator for the program with over 27 years experience in the hotel industry, said the program offers exciting opportunities for the students at the ATHI. “It’s major travel. Some people have never done that and it’s an eye opener.” The eight weeks are divided into two four-week sections. Students will be hosted in the Vina del Mar for the first month and the Pucon the second. For the first two weeks of each section, students take on-the-job training. Students can work in a resort hotel, a casino or a golf resort/country club. For the second two weeks of each section, students attend classes at Universidad del Mar ITUR in Vina del Mar and Universidad de la Frontera in Pucon. Aside from learning skills in international business and marketing, students will have the opportunity to study Chilean culture, folklore and history. Feldman had several photographs of two vividly dressed dancers, squaring off with elbows out, amidst festivities. In the background of one of the photographs, a seven-man band were captured in mid-note. “They will also learn how to dance,” he said of the students. Feldman said they will also pick up Spanish language skills.There are three levels of Spanish as a second language courses in the university curriculum. “They will also notice, after we get off the plane and arrive, I will be speaking almost no English,” said Feldman. He said the program is similar to the Canadian Culinary Experience where Chilean students were on P.E.I. until late 2002 studying at the ATHI. The program follows almost two years of planning. Feldman and program director Albert Roche made two trips to Chile, participated in trade missions and entertained guests on Canadian soil. “The International Hospitality and Management Program gives students a chance to experience adventure tourism in an international setting and acquire skills they couldn’t acquire if they were to remain in Canada.” Look for upcoming correspondances from students in Chile in future issues of the Surveyor |
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