For first-hand lessons on hospitality, Dubai is among the best
dubai — Typically, higher education for students involves claustrophobic dorms, loads of lengthy essays and theoretical learning, but when you’re a hospitality student in an emirate filled with seven and five-star hotels, things get a bit more interesting.
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) in Dubai was recently ranked among the top ten schools in the world for hospitality training, and one of their students has revealed to Khaleej Times what life is like at the institution.
American student John Carter, 28, has been given accommodation with views of the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. He has easy access to a swimming pool, fitness centre, nearby beaches and Wild Wadi — this is all so a hospitality student can learn what “true hospitality” should feel like.
“Living on campus fascinates me, as having those prestigious hotels around me gives me the daily boost to work towards my goals,” Carter, who moved to Dubai from Los Angeles to study at EAHM, said. “I can say that I personally feel connected to the environment, because you see all these excellent hotels around and and my goal is to become the general manager of a top hotel one day.”
Carter’s homework doesn’t include your average essays; instead, he gets to visit the most luxurious hotels as part of practical learning required for his course.
“As part of my coursework, we went to visit the Burj Al Arab and had the opportunity to see the back of the house — how it is run and how different departments connect with one another. I was fascinated by the hotel. It has breathtaking installations and a commitment to providing a wholly different guest
I feel connected to the environment, because you see all these excellent hotels around and my goal is to become the general manager of a top hotel one day.” John Carter, hospitality management student
experience, which is unlike anywhere else,” he said.
“One of the most valuable lessons we gain from the academy is the practical experience, including the chance to work in an internship in a hospitality environment for six months. I am currently working as a PR Intern at DMG events on the hospitality portfolio, which organises events for Dubai’s hospitality industry, including The Hotel Show,” Carter said.
“In theory studies, we were recently tasked with analysing the latest trends in front office management, such as keyless entry, being pioneered by Marriott International, and facial recognition technology — which is revolutionising hotel safety and security.”
Even though Carter has travelled around the world to study the hospitality business prior to joining EAHM, he is still picking up many new things at the institute. “Before moving to Dubai, I was travelling around the world while managing my own hospitality and tourism blog, TravelsByJC.com. I was working closely with hotels and tourism boards and highlighting their latest innovations. I travelled to destinations like Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Thailand, Japan, Turkey and throughout Europe. It opened my eyes to different cultures and how the hospitality industry operates in different destinations,” he said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com