Students learn about the world during Semester Abroad program

After 10 weeks living and studying in France, 20 second-year students from Hotel and Resort Management and Culinary Management programs arrived home just before the holiday break. The students were immersed in hands-on learning experiences while living in a 250-year-old chateau in Strasbourg.

The chateau was a busy and fun place to be. It accommodates a number of international academic programs alongside its hotel guests, delegates of the European Union and is a popular venue for weddings and conferences. As part of their studies, students hosted culinary dinners, gained international work experience by interning at local establishments and went on numerous local and regional tours in France, Germany and Switzerland to learn about hospitality, travel, food and culture. These tours were packed with a variety of activities including wine tasting, local cuisine, tours of breweries, historic sites and castle ruins, and popular regional Christmas markets.

The highlight for our students was the opportunity to travel on their own on extended weekends. They organized adventures all over Europe to places like London, Amsterdam, Dublin, Barcelona, Venice, Rome, Germany, Scotland, and even the Alps (for some snowboarding and skiing). Everyone returned to the chateau with fantastic stories and photos to share.

Georgian’s Semester Abroad program provides students with the chance to grow and change and learn about the world and everything it offers. This year, the program will expand to include Tourism and Travel students.

For more information about the Semester Abroad program, please contact Anne Green, Co-ordinator, Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation programs.