Hospitality Delighted 17 - Hospitality Exploring the New World by Hospitality Delighted

Hospitality d e t h g i l e D

Explore. Dream. Discover. -Mark Twain

Nr. 17

MAR

2013 Stenden University

Hospitality exploring the New World

The New World We designed this issue to inform YOU about all the great things that are happening in the New World. Many of you might relate the term ‘new world’ with wines coming from Australia, South Africa, Chile, or China, but that is not what we want to talk about in this issue. Let us explain it to you from the beginning: The term originated in the early 16th century. European explorers discovered the American continent, after they thought that the world would consist of only Europe, Asia and Africa; referred to as the Old World. As this was a surpringly new discovery, the continent got its name ‘the New World’. It covers the entire western hemisphere, ranging from North to Central Amercia, all the way down to South America including certain oceanic islands from the Pacific and Atlantic. So, what is it that you can expect in this issue? Well, just find it out yourself by joining us on our trip to the New World, where lots of great things can be explored about the hospitality industry. Enjoy reading it! Your Editorial Team Almudena, Aline, Lysia & Svenja

Index Travel

08 Caribbean 10 Brazil 12 Canada 14 The US 18 Cruising in the New World 26 What traveler are you?

News

04 Hospitality Highlighted 30 Redevelopment of the Studentlounge

Experience Alaska's beauty

Internships in the New World

Students

20 Internship report in Washington 22 Exchange report on Antigua 24 Internship report in Michigan 29 Student's Voice 3

Hospitality highlighted IKEA Announces Budget Hotel Plans Knowing the massive stores of IKEA, it almost seems obvious to open up at night to host guests in the dozens of designed bedrooms. Nevertheless, IKEA’s plans are to operate individual hotels under IKEA’s credo of “good quality at a reasonable price” with a Scandinavian design of furniture.

The first hotels will open up in 2014 in Germany followed by many other European countries like the Netherlands and Britain. In China, customers actually do enjoy the comfort of those designed bedrooms a little bit more. Security staff from IKEA Shanghai report

that customers like to come to IKEA to enjoy the air conditioned environment and to take a nap in one of the comfortable beds or on a couch. Some people even come in the morning and won´t leave until the store closes. www.ikea.nl

Y!kes where they can put in their username and password and it will automatically link it to the reservation made. The day of the reservation, the guest gets a notification that the room is ready and he/she will receive the room

number. Upon arriving at the lobby, the guest will be automatically checked in and recognized when touching the door handle. Leave behind the hassle of standing in line for checking in and out. With just one click! www.yikes.co

Y!kes Time for a new innovation in the hospitality industry? There is one: a new door-lock system, which enables guests to open their guest room door using their Smartphone.This is how it works: the guest has to download the free app called

German Hotels lead Europe in customer satisfaction Results from the latest Market Matrix global survey (MMHI Global) show that among all countries in Europe, the highest level of customer satisfaction can be found in German hotels. In this regard, Hamburg is the highest scoring city in Europe and Steigenberger is named the top brand in Europe. Top scores were received in overall ambiance, cleanliness,

proper functioning of lights and TV, and comfort of bed. In terms of loyal guests, German hotels again have the highest rates across Europe (NetPrompter Scores: 24.3). This is especially noteworthy as 46 percent of German hotel guests are foreign visitors. Besides, Germany is also the only country in Europe where â&#x20AC;&#x153;past experiencesâ&#x20AC;? are considered more important

than price; however, location still plays the biggest role. Second on the overall customer satisfaction list are hotels in Switzerland that scored highest for making guests feel secure, pampered and respected. Hotels in the Netherlands are ranked the fifth and have the friendliest front desk staff and deliver the most efficient check-in process. Way to go, Europe!

Guest reviews and their importance for hotels Nowadays online reputation is essential for the hospitality industry. Guest reviews have a very high impact on whether or not potential guests will book a hotel rooms. Research conducted by Forrester Research and TripAdvisor found out that 68% of travelers find it important that hotels offer customer reviews and it will determine their decision to book a hotel. Nearly half of all travelers would not even consider booking a hotel unless they have customer reviews. Even though customers usual-

ly share positive experiences, the average score on TripAdvisor is a four on a scale from one to five; there are always people that write negative reviews. Whether or not those reviews might be justified it is essential for hotels to follow up on reviews. Replying to both, negative- and positive reviews is a very effective way of damage control. 79% of travelers that got responses on negative reviews felt reassured and 78% that got responses on positive reviews even improve their opinion

about the hotel. However, be aware to formulate the responses in a professional and polite way, if this is not the case it will even have a negative impact on the customer satisfaction. 60% of travelers state that an inappropriate response will make them feel even worse about the hotel. To put it in a nutshell, hotels need to make sure to keep up a positive online reputation as it is a highly influencing factor for potential guests.

pansion. According to the coffee chain, this country will overtake Canada as the second most important market. Recently the hundredth establishment had been opened in the capital Beijing. The mar-

ket in the United States is still the most important.In the United States, the next five years at least 1,500 new Starbucks stores will be opened. www.starbucks.com

Starbucks In 2014 Starbucks, the world famous coffee company, hopes to have over 20,000 pubs worldwide. At the moment Starbucks has about 18.000 properties. China plays a major role in this ex-

Women at Accor Generation Accor, one of the most famous hotel chain operators, has announced the international launch of its women’s network in December: Women at Accor Generation (WAAG). The aim of the network is to fight against stereotypes and help Accor reach its gender equality objectives. Both women and men can participate within the network, which is represented on all five continents. Women at Accor Generation is chaired by Sophie Stabile, who is Accor’s Global Chief Financial Officer. The network includes activities based

on mentoring, sharing of experiences and training. The creation and collaboration through networks, with the aim of promoting greater access by women to managerial positions are entailed. Another purpose of the network is to gain proposals in areas that concern Accors own business, for example gain innovative products and services that meet the expectations of female business guests. ‘There are more female graduates than male graduates, and yet women are under-represented in corporate manage-

rial positions,” explains Sophie Stabile. “We know that mixed teams are more innovative and more efficient. Women at Accor Generation aims to give women confidence in their potential, to embolden them, and to accompany them as they take this approach.’ By the end of 2015, the network aims to have at least 3,000 members and to have achieved all its action plans and workgroups on the five continents. www.accor.com

Make flying more pleasant Selling fancy drinks, such as cocktails, special beers and coffees with liquor on flights has become very popular. The benefit for customers is to make the flight more fun and leave the stress on the ground and airlines have the opportunity to gain some extra money. That can definitively be called a win-win situation. The average amount of liquor sales during flights is influenced by many factors, such as the destination, weekday or season. It is no big surprise that flights to Las Vegas have the biggest average sales in terms of selling liquors, on the way back home however this number decreases by nearly 50%, probably to many drinks were consumed in Las

Vegas itself. Looking at the influence of different weekdays one can say that the lowest amount of drinks is consumed on Mondays and the highest on Thursdays. Many business guests or other frequent fliers fly back home on Thursdays and thus they consider it as the beginning of the weekend. Moreover high season for selling liquors is during the spring break, whereas the weeks after Christmas and New Year the number of drinks sold decreases. Soon you can even use this option to “hit” on fellow fliers, Virgin America is planning to implement a “send a drink” feature. Interested in the lady sitting across you? Send her a nice drink and let the flirt begin. Selling fancy

drinks is indeed a very nice strategy and definitively something customers are willing to pay for. It´s so easy and yet so special for everyone involved.

The end of coffee as a daily drink? After extensive research English scientists are able to draw the following horrible conclusion, especially for the ones who love to drink coffee: due to the current climate changing environment the wild coffee plant is threatened with extension. Within this century coffee seems to become a priceless delicacy. By making use of climate models and research including South Sudan and Ethiopia, the scientists conclude that in the best case, the habitat of the Arabica coffee plant will be reduced with 65% by 2080.

In the worst case the habitat will be declined by 99,7%. Besides the climate changes, the deforestation, pests, diseases and the decrease of the number of birds that spread coffee seeds, are also causes which make the coffee to be considerably more expensive than champagne in the future. The research showed that the coffee plants within particularly South Sudan and Ethiopia are currently in such poor condition, that the prediction is that in these countries the plants are completely deserted by 2020.

The scientists do not want to cause panic; moreover they hope that their study will contribute to the development of strategies for saving the coffee plants. The climate changes as well as the human influences on the decrease of coffee plants should be taken into consideration, when looking at the future. The government and the environmental organizations are now the ones who should intervene and take some action. Let´s hope they will do a good job so that we can still enjoy coffee for a reasonable price in the future!

Dancing on the Cruise The famous cruise line Holland America Line will offer very entertaining theme cruises in 2013 and 2014. Those theme cruises will be offered for trips

to Alaska and the Caribbean. The theme will be “Dancing with the Stars”, inspired by the TV show, holding the same name. Professional dancers from that show will get some movement and action on the cruises; they will teach cruisers how to dance and everyone gets the opportunity to show their skills. Dances like Quickstep, Paso Doble or Tango will be performed and guests have the opportunity to ask questions whenever they like to do so. The brave ones even have the opportunity to get on stage themselves and perform together with the professional dancers. The shy ones on the other hand can just enjoy the show and watch how their

fellow cruisers are doing on the big stage, which will surely be quite amusing sometimes. Enjoying the beauty of the two most famous cruise destinations, and being entertaint by professional dancers while sailing is a great way to enjoy the holidays to the fullest extent. Maybe it’s not something for everyone, but people that like to dance and always wanted to get a taste of being on a big stage will for sure have an amazing time. www.hollandamerica.com

The Caribbean We all associate white and sunny beaches, uninhabited islands and coconuts when thinking of the Caribbean. But do you know about local dishes or the history of hospitality over there? There is so much more about this beautiful and diverse region and you are going to find out in a moment.

‘Only 2% of the Caribbean islands are inhabited’ Yes, you were right, the Caribbean as a region consists of islands, but did you know that there are actually 7,000 islands in total? Some are bigger such as Cuba, Jamaica or

the Dominican Republic and some are only a few square meters wide. Ever since the beginning of its development, the Caribbean used its ideal terrain for the production of sugarcane, tobacco and bananas. Especially the export to Europe has been and still is an important source of income. Everyone knows that Cuba is famous for their cigars and the Dominican Republic for its Rum made of sugarcane. Talking about drinks this leads us to the topic of food. Since, as mentioned before, the Caribbean consists of more than

7,000 islands it is impossible to name one national dish. Furthermore, this cuisine is a fusion of African, Amerindian, European, East Indian and Chinese cuisine which makes it so diverse and interesting. The most favourite ingredients though are: rice, plantains (bananas used for cooking), beans, coconut, sweet potatoes and any kind of meat and fish.

‘People of the Caribbean are among the most ethnically diverse in the world’ No, don´t worry, I am not going to dig into dusty history

books but I do want to give you a little insight into the history of the Caribbean islands. Before the Europeans actually arrived in the Caribbean (I give you a hint: Columbus, 1492), some of the islands were already inhabited for over 4,000 years and dominated by two different cultural groups, the Arawaks and the Caribs. The indigenous name for the island of Antigua for example was ‘Wadadli’ meaning Land of the Fish Oil in the native language of the Caribs. The original name for the island Guadeloupe was ‘Karukera’, meaning Island of Beautiful Waters. I think there is nothing to argue about this name. After Christopher Columbus discovered the group of islands and its multifaceted wealth, not only Spain but also Portugal, England, the Netherlands and France started

ous rooms you got to spend claiming territory. To be able to extract the valuable resources such as gold, pearls and crops (mainly sugar) the native inhabitants were enslaved and kept as workforce. Soon this turned out to be not enough; so large numbers of African slaves were brought to the Caribbean islands. Over several centuries many million African slaves were imported and held captured, until finally in 1886 all the colonies had abolished slavery and the slaves were freed. Knowing this it doesn’t seem too odd that Spanish, English, French and Dutch as well as Haitian Creole and Papiamento are the main official languages spoken on the islands. In 1778, the first official Hotel opened in the Caribbean. This was the Bath Hotel on the island Nevis (this island is located between Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe). It was a spa hotel attracting many wealthy European guests who believed in the healing power of the nearby volcanic hot spring. This hotel was the start of a flourishing tourism industry in this area, which is now home to hundreds of all-inclusive resorts, and many luxurious and well-known hotels such as Hilton or the Royal Towers Bridge Suite, which is ranked the seventh on the list of the top 10 most expensive hotels in the world. This special hotel is located on the Bahamas and to spend one night in one of our luxuri-

€20000.

‘Of all regions in the world, the Easter Caribbean offers the most choice for cruising’ The Caribbean is a unique location where almost every major or minor cruise sails through or touches one or more of the Caribbean ports. We think the reasons for that are obvious. White, sandy beaches, azul blue water and mild temperatures almost year round easily attract tourists who just want to leave the stress behind for a few days. Swimming with dolphins or snorkling through protected reefs are just two out of endless options to enjoy the beautiful nature of the Caribbean islands and sea. Another suprising trend in the Caribbean is the ecotourism. Since the 1970’s people are more aware of the beauty but also fragility of the nature. This type of tourism involves visiting those undisturbed natural areas to educate travelers and provide financial benefits for conservation and to local people. One example of this development is the island Bonaire which plans to cover half of its power demand by wind energy and the other half by bio-diesel.

Brazil The saying is that Brazilians never lie, they exaggerate. It is all about being the biggest, the first and, of course, the best. It sounds like the Brazilians are especially proud about their country and for some people it might even sound arrogant.

‘Brazil is 205 times bigger than the Netherlands’ Getting to know Brazil a little better however, one will find out that all their “exaggerations” can indeed be justified by interesting facts about the country. Being the largest country in South America, 205 times bigger than the

Netherlands, the home of the world’s largest rainforest, the largest Portuguese speaking country of the world, the world´s largest producer of coffee and having the largest Roman Catholic population in the world are only a few things that define Brazil. Besides, being the country with the world´s longest beach, hosting some of the best parties during carnival, being the home of beautiful women, and last but definitively not least being the country with most World Cup Wins are all facts that Brazil can indeed be proud of. A

three-banded

armadillo

named “Fuleco” will be the new star in 2014, “Fuleco” the armadillo is not only an endangered species in Brazil but it is also the new mascot for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. If not almost half of the 1.7 million people who voted for the new name would have chosen for “Fuleco”, our armadillo would probably be called “Zuzeco” or “Amijubi” instead. Nevertheless, “Fuleco” was the most popular one and indeed sounds very creative, but what is actually behind it? The name was created by combining “Futebol” and “Ecologia” and inventing a new word “Fuleco”, so even here you can notice the big impact and importance of sustainability.

‘Fuleco, the new star in 2014’ Looking back, a lot of mascots have already supported the world cup, but everything started with “World Cup Willie” who was chosen for the tournament in England in 1966. “Juanito” a Mexican boy wearing a sombrero, was the next one, followed by “Tip and Tap”, two German boys. Over the years the mascots have become a big tradition, a total of twelve very creative mascots have already been created to represent the associated host country of the World Cup.

‘$11 billion will be invested in the hotel sector’ Being the host of two major events, the FIFA World

Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016, is a great opportunity for the tourism sector in Brazil. These big chances combined with the general growth potential of Brazil are essential factors that support the overall development of Brazil. In order to be prepared for the two big events, Brazil is planning to invest an amount of $11 billion in the hotel sector. Building new hotels will require a higher amount of effective labour force, finding employees to work on an operational level will not be the difficulty, however, finding skilled professionals that are able to work in a leading position will be one of the challenges faced by Brazil. Thus, the country is already starting to employ more employees and to train them in order to handle the expected growth in tourism. Investing all that money in the hotel sector and the infrastructure in fact seems necessary in order to successfully host the event; still it is important to consider the downsides as well. For sure, the coming four years will be very beneficial for Brazil’s economy but it is also profitable on the long term? An oversupply of hotel rooms might be one of the consequences when overestimating the positive effect the events will have on the tourism industry in Brazil. Nevertheless, the awareness of Brazil will

definitively increase, the image of the country will improve and thus more and more tourists will be going there. “Cidade Maravilhosa”, meaning a marvellous city, is the nickname of Rio de Janeiro and when it is time for Carnival again, one can see why Rio de Janeiro deserves this name. Passion, samba and exotic women are probably what everyone has in mind when imagining Carnival in Brazil and this is exactly what defines Carnival in reality. It is not only the most famous holiday in Brazil, but over the years it became a big component of the Brazilian Culture. It takes place in the whole country; the most well-known Carnival however, is definitively the one in Rio de Janeiro.

‘Passion Samba and exotic women’ It is literally celebrated in the hottest month in Brazil, namely February. Different samba schools are preparing for the samba parade and with the help of hard practice, talent, beautiful costumes, great music and above all a whole lot of passion they inspire the people and express the essence of the Brazilian culture. Would you like to be part of this experience?

Canada Canada is definitively a country that has something to offer for everyone. Among others, a beautiful nature, adventurous activities, a great culture and history, the combination of small villages and large metropolises and lovely food and beverage are what define the uniqueness of the country.

‘Do you know Canada encompasses six time zones from east to west?!’

of the country, the geography as well as the weather is very diverse. The most southern point of Canada - Point Pelee in Ontario - is on the same llatitude as the northern U.S. state of California. In contrast, the Canadian most northernpoint reaches into the Arctic. Hence the possibility exists to enjoy the lobster festivals and to dance on the beach within Atlantic Canada, or when you prefer to watch the ice bears and to enjoy the northern lights within Nanuvut or Yukon on the same day.

It is the second largest country in the world and about 240 times larger than the Netherlands. Due to the size

Due to the diversity of Canada, favourite and traditional food varies slightly from region to region; it is influenced

by their family heritage as well as the climate. However throughout Canada, maple syrup and maple products are the most popular, reflecting the significance of the maple tree, whose leaf adorns the flag of Canada. The second national product is called Poutine, Poutine is a dish consisting of French fries topped with fresh cheese, soaked in gravy and any additional ingredients. This dish finds its origin in Quebec, due to the influence of the French heritage. Translating the name of that dish in English, the title means a ‘mess’. Another funny fact about that dish is that the gravy is added to keep the

fries warm longer. Seafood and dishes, mainly including smoked salmon, are the third most common food within Canada, especially along the Atlantic coast (except in Quebec), derived from English traditions. Furthermore Canada has two major wineproducing areas, namely, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and the region along the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario. The bestknown beer brands are Labatt Blue and Molson Canadian. Next to the big cities as Vancouver, Toronto, Montreall or Quebec city, the country has more to offer…

‘Do you know that one of the seven Wonder of the World is located in Canada?!’

For the people who love architecture and who are dare devils: The Canadian National Tower, situated in downtown Toronto, which is a telecommunications tower, is the perfect attraction. With a height of 553.33 meters, which is equivalent to a 181-story building, the building provides a balcony made of glass to enjoy the view. Since its completion in 1976, it has been the tallest structure in the world. Therefore it is considered as one of the 7 Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Off course the Niagara Falls, in Ontaria, should definitely not be left out while traveling in Canada. Even though the city is extremely touristic, the waterfalls are too spectacular to miss.

‘Do you know that Canada provides the phenomenon:the Aurora Light?!’ An aurora is a natural light display in the sky, caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere. This well-known phenomenon, also called the Northern lights, may not be missed. Whether your fancy is glacial lakes, sandy beaches, rocky coasts, or lush forests, Canada has 20 National Nature Parks in total which all cope with your wishes. However;

watch out within the nature parks… In the Canadian nature the possibility to encounter a bear exists, although the chance is small. However, when it occurs, do not shout and do not run away, do not climb on a tree (climbing is a special talent of the bear), stay calm, talk in a low voice and try to distract the bear.

‘Do you know what to do when facing a bear?!’ To experience a unique stay in one of the most luxurious hotel within Canada, you should visit the King Pacific Lodge. This luxury is a magnificent 17-room wilderness lodge that can be found in the heart of the mighty Great Bear Rainforest, which is the largest intact temperate rainforest left on earth. This hotel is so unique not only due to the unique location, but especially due to the fact the lodge is able to float! The season when the lodge is opened is from June to September. King Pacific Lodge offers its guests a one-of-a-kind experience, including: guided hikes, fly fishing, wildlife watching and sea kayaking, it is only accessible by float plane. Interested in going there? Start already now to save some money if you want to go there, due to the minimum price of $1.624,- per person per night, excluding the traveling costs.

The US

Some call it the land of the free; others call it the land full of opportunities. No matter how you call it, the United States of America have got plenty to offer; even for your internship. With 313 million inhabitants, the US is the 3rd largest country regarding population size. Right behind Russia and Canada the US scores third in terms of square kilometers. Comparing the US to other countries, it is half the size of Russia and more than twice the size of the European Union. That should be more than enough of geography. Let us now dig into the history of the American hospitality, for which we have to go back to

1794. That was the time when the first American hotel – the City Hotel opened in New York City. It was the very first building that was exclusively build for hotel purpose. It had 73 rooms, large enough to be called “an immense establishment” by visitors. Shortly thereafter, more hotels were built in other cities, such as Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and new Orleans.

‘The land full of opportunities’ In those days, sharing beds with strangers was common practice; no difference if

guests were of different sexes. Throughout the 1800s, services were improved and larger buildings were erected. It was in 1829 when a first class hotel in America brought revolution in the hospitality industry. The Tremont House was the first hotel to offer private rooms with locking doors. Each guest room had a wash basin, a water pitcher and a bar of soap. These American hotels became important social centers and unlike in Europe, were available to any middle class worker or family.

‘Sharing beds with strangers was common practice’

In the early 1900s, a new type of traveler entered the picture – the traveling businessman. Old style inns were too unsanitary and world class hotels too expensive. Hence, a new type of lodging establishment was opened - the commercial hotels. The first of this type was the Buffalo Statler in Buffalo, New York. Services such as private baths, ice water, light-switches next to the door and a morning newspaper for each guest were introduced first in this hotel. In the following years, many great hotel chains started entering the American lodging industry, such as Hilton and Marriott. In 1937, a rating system by the American Automobile Association (AAA) was introduced. The purpose of that was to publish detailed property descriptions to provide travelers with valuable information about services and facilities.

AAA is the only rating system that covers the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean using on-site professional evaluations.

Vegas. It features a state-ofthe-art recording studio, hot nightclubs, a bowling alley and even a basketball half-court complete with locker rooms.

Different from the usual star rating, this rating system uses diamonds to evaluate properties. Each year, AAA reviews more than 31,000 lodgings including hotels, resorts, historic inns and B&Bs. Out of these, only onethird of one percent make the AAA Five Diamond list.

Big names like George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Brad Pitt and David Beckham have been spotted there several times. Next to that, the resort’s Hugh Hefner Sky Villa is ranked the world’s fifth most expensive suite.

Nowadays, the travel & tourism industry in the U.S. supports more than 7.7 million jobs. One out of every 17 Americans work, either directly or indirectly, in a travel and tourism related industry. Of this industry, the food service, is the largest subsector. Currently, the largest hotel group in the US in terms of guest rooms is Marriot International with 504,501 rooms, followed by Hilton and IHG. In contrast, Wyndham Hotel Group is the largest company in the US with a number of 5,733 properties in total. The legendary Palms Casino Resort Looking for one of the world’s most expensive hotel suites? Or for a top celebrity spotting hotel? With the famous Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, you can have both.With its 40 sky villas and mega-suites, this resort is the place to go for celebrities when in Las

‘For only US$ 40,000 you can stay a night in Hugh Hefner’s Sky Villa’ You have got to pay around US$ 40,000 per night to enjoy this exclusive room that is personally designed by world famous Hugh Hefner. It is two stories high and 2,700 square meters wide. It features everything from a rotating bed with mirror ceiling to an indoor playboy pool with outdoor Jacuzzi that overlooks the Las Vegas Strip. Other draws include a gym, spa, poker table, a private fullglass elevator and a plasma TV. It’s too bad that the eyewatering price does not include breakfast -or Bunnies.

S N e 1 H y e o i t

American Food Typical American food - that is hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries, isn’t it?

Well, you cannot make generalizations here but as a matter of fact Americans have high obesity rates. Looking at adult obesity facts from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults (37.5%) are obese. That is more than 117million people. How come that so many people have obesity? The foods are usually rich in fat and oil. Furthermore, foods are high inclusive of dairy products like cheese and eggs and the consumption of meat, especially beef and pork is very high compared to the rest of the world. Another rea-

son why many Americans also choose for junk food is that healthy products such as salads and fruits are comparatively more expensive. It kind of makes sense that Mc Donald’s is ranked number one of the most popular fast food restaurants in the US; don’t you think?

'More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese' Coming back to typical American food one has to say that no deep cooking culture lays in this country. Just as the population of the US contains many ethnic and cultural groups, so are the foods and food habits of Americans equally diverse. Louisiana for

instance is the state where the Creole cuisine developed. This style of cooking blends French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Native American and African influences. Hence, it tends towards classical European styles adapted to local food habits. Another example is the “Tex-Mex” kitchen in Texas. It combines Mexican and Texan ingredients; a typical example of this kitchen is the well-known tortilla or chili corn carne.This is only a starting point of the many different dishes that can be found in the US. To understand the American diet fully, one must study all these traditional foods and food habits of the many ethnic groups. Our library has got nice books about this topic, in case you would like to read more about it.

A p v i fi t a t y c

IO VIVAT Student Association Io Vivat Nostrorum Sanitas was founded on the 28th of September 1987. We have had our roots in Hospitality Management for 25 years. However, we have broadened our horizon and opened our network for students studying in all different educations throughout Stenden University! As a diligent student, you are probably wondering what Io Vivat can prove to be for you during your studies at Stenden. In the first place Io Vivat offers a place to meet new friends and to create your own unique network in the best years of your life, namely your studies. The association is currently dealing with 200 ac-

tive members who are always sticking their necks out for each other and are anxiously waiting to welcome you into our pub. You know now that Io Vivat can be your place to socialize and to have fun. However, our association also benefits within your studies at Stenden University. Within Io Vivat all active members can participate in a so called “committee”. Those committees have organizational responsibilities and will help you gain those competencies which can help you during your studies and further career. For example: Io Vivat helps organizing the study start week for the Hospitality students, we organize sporting events, sailing tours, ski tours, a tour “gastronomique” and much more. Amongst Io Vivat’s committees (we have around 20) one can

even find a dance group and a band. So if you have creative talents, Io Vivat can certainly help you develop and practice those talents. However, logically “fun” is always the most important word, in all aspects of the association, so also when working in committees! Concluding, Io Vivat Nostrorum Sanitas is an organization in which you as a student can differentiate yourself in network possibilities, friendships, organizational and creative competencies and so much more. We would like to offer you a great foundation and are hoping to welcome you into our association. You can join us in February and in September each year. Don’t hesitate and enrol on www.iovivat.nl and make Io Vivat the foundation of your student life and further career!

Cruising in the New World

Some of the most beautiful areas of the world are located in the NewWorld, thus it is no surprise that many of the most famous cruise destinations are located in that area as well. One of them is Hawaii,cruising to the different islands of Hawaii is enjoyed by many guests. Another very popular area is Alaska, it´s not one of the obvious holiday destinations but it is definitively one of the most special ones.Let´s find out which of those destinations meets your requirements for a great cruise. Escape to Hawaii Aloha! White sand beaches, sparkling turquoise water, and last but not least sunshine all day long, that´s the image we have in mind when thinking about Hawaii. Hawaii is not for nothing one of the most popular cruise destinations, volcanoes, waterfalls and rainforest are only a few of the highlights which make it so special.

‘Volcanoes, waterfalls and rainforests’ The benefit of exploring Hawaii on a cruise is that you have the opportunity to experience the beauty of the islands without going through inconveniences like flying from island to island and constantly changing hotels. Once you ar-

rived you will recognize that all the islands come along with different benefits and unique selling points, visit Maui and enjoy the amazing views from the Haleakala Crater. Haleakala is a dormant volcano on which you can enjoy a colourful panorama caused by red, green, blue and yellow lava; this view will amaze you for sure. In Lanai it is all about scuba diving and snorkelling, swim with dolphins and sea turtles or go deeper in the water and experience mysterious underwater formations, formed by the lava dropping into the sea. Interested to see where the movie Jurassic Park was shot? Then Kauai is the right island for you to visit, after exploring the beautiful rainforests or

taking a helicopter ride over the cliffs and valleys you will see why this island deserves the nickname “Garden Island”.

‘Explore America’s only active volcano’ Besides make sure to travel to the big island and explore America´s only active volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Another must-see is the island Oahu, it is not only the home of Pearl Harbor, but it also offers some of the best surfing possibilities. Being there, don´t miss out on taking a walk along one of the world’s most famous beaches, the Waikiki Beach. To put it in a nutshell, you will have the time of your life on a spectacular Hawaii cruise.

Experience Alaska Wow! That´s probably the first thing you will say when cruising in Alaska. Did you know that Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the whole world? Unfortunately it is not only one of the most popular, but also one of the most expensive ones, having a closer look at the country however, this is no surprise at all. A unique combination of breathtaking sceneries, adventurous wildlife and a Native American culture are only a few aspects that make Alaska worth a visit. The best way to enjoy the beauty of Alaska is definitively on a cruise, sailing in Alaska will provide the guests with spectacular views that no hotel could ever exceed.

‘Mountains, ice blue water & killer wales’ Experiencing Alaska from the sea and land is probably one of the most unique ways to explore a country. Imaging you are sitting on your private balcony while enjoying the amazing view on mountains, ice blue water and killer wales. On land you can explore the wilderness in the

famous Denali National park, meet Native Americans, and simply enjoy the beautiful landscape and the glaciers.

‘Rock climbing, river rafting or kayaking’ For the adventure loving people among us there are many exciting activities, such as rock climbing, river rafting or kayaking, all those activities take place in the beautiful and stunning nature of Alaska. Your concern is probably that it is way too cold in Alaska to enjoy all those activities, which is why the cruise season for Alaska is from May to September. During the peak season, June to August, the temperature can rise up to 21 degrees; however, you cannot always rely on the weather to be warm and sunny during that time as the weather circumstances in Alaska vary a lot.

‘It is all about dressing in layers’ So what kind of clothes should you pack when cruising in Alaska? In order to be prepared for everything your suitcase should include every-

thing from a bathing suit until a warm raincoat. It is all about dressing in layers, so nothing can surprise you. It isn’t a cruise for everyone and can definitively not be compared with a relaxed beach vacation but remember, the experiences you collect while cruising in Alaska will be unique and breathtaking in every extend. What kind of cruiser are you? Now that you know what kind of nature and activities you can expect from those two destinations it is up to you to decide which destination is more appealing to you.

‘Once in a lifetime experience’ No matter what you like and what you do let us assure you that it will definitively be an amazing and spectacular trip. The experiences you will make will stay with you forever. Final word, let’s save money to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience.

Internship Report by Annica Hartwig Small introduction of yourself

My name is Annica Hartwig, I am 26 years old and originally from Berlin, Germany. Five months ago I started my internship at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. The hotel belongs to the Marriott chain and it was built in 1925, which makes it to a historical landmark. Why have you chosen for this particular internship? I lived for 18 months in North Carolina and worked as an au pair. It was such a great experience that I always wanted to go back someday.

‘I got accepted right away’ Stenden offers many internship placements in the US and my first choice was Boston, which did not work out due to the fact that the Hyatt chain needed me already in June and at this time I was still in Asia. However, my second choice was Washington D.C. and I got accepted right away. I did not have had that many different choices in D.C., the area coordinator told me more or less that’s the one, I either take it or not! What is your position and what are your tasks?

I am a front desk agent and work 40 hours per week. It is very interesting to explore the working field and in fact, I learn a lot that is way different from what I learnt in school. Of course, there are some similarities but in theory certain circumstances look easier to handle than in real life.

'Wear comfortable shoes' Nevertheless, every day I learn something new and my internship is very exciting. My tasks are basically to be in charge of the guests. I have to check them in and out and I have to answer their questions regarding to the billing procedure, restaurants close by, opening hours and much more. Usually guests stop

by at the front desk to complain about issues they have in their room. In this case I have to assist them and offer them a better room, points for the Marriott Membership or simply find a solution. Did you have difficulties with adapting to the American Culture? Looking back I did not have any difficulties to adapt to the American culture. In my opinion, it is very similar to the European culture. People are always on a tight schedule and they are working hard – at least in Washington, D.C. What do you like/dislike about the US? What is the biggest difference to the Netherlands? I very much like the city it-

self. There is a lot to do, with many bars, restaurants, shopping opportunities, museums and outdoor activities. Compared to Asia, the streets are very empty and D.C. is less hectic with less traffic. The biggest difference to the Netherlands is that there are less people on bikes.

What do you recommend to students going on internship in the US in future? As an intern you have to adapt to an existing system. Therefore, do not expect to be in charge of a whole department right from the beginning. There is so much to

learn and there are managers, working already for years, who know a lot. Within the hospitality industry you learn from experiences and as time passes by you will get more and more responsibilities. Lastly, I recommend everyone to wear comfortable shoes!

Internship possibilities The city that never sleeps - NewYork City

The hospitality business in New York City reflects the dynamism of this cosmopolitan city as a whole. Ranging from the traditional five star luxury of the Waldorf-Astoria to the chic fashionista celebrity hangouts of The Standard and Soho Grand hotels, New York can be all things to all men (and women) seeking out the very best that the industry has to offer.

• The Standard • Soho & Tribeca Grand Hotels

• Hilton Bonnet Creek & Waldorf Astoria (Orlando) • Hilton Beach Resort (Fort Lauderdale) • Walt Disney World (Orlando)

The fast paced east coast of the US Baltimore and Washington DC Washington, the capital city of the US and Baltimore are both centrally located at the east coast of the US and have got plenty to offer.

• The Waldorf Astoria • Marriot Marquis on Times Square • The Barclay Intercontinental • Cowne Plaza Times Square • Millennium UN

• The Dupont Group (Washington) • The Jefferson (Washington) •The Renaissance (Washington)

Experience the southern hospitality in Georgia & South Carolina

Colorado is characterized by the diversity of the Rocky Mountains and the urbanization of Denver, its capital city.

A mild-subtropical climate and beautiful natural landscapes. • Ritz Carlton (Atlanta) • Chateau Elan (Braselton) •Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Resort (near Charleston)

The sunshine state Florida

Florida is a state with lovely weather all year round, beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels.

Mountainous Colorado

• The Broadmoor Hotel • St Julien Hotel & Spa • Double Tree by Hilton • Marriot Hotel Denver City Center • Keystone Resort Lodge & Spa • Marriot Vail Mountain Resort & Spa • The Arrabelle at Vail Square • The Lodge at Vail a Rockresort • Vail Cascade Resort & Spa

Internship Report by Katrin Eichler ‘The world is like a book and those who don’t travel will only read one page!’

Would you like to introduce yourself shortly? I am 24 years old and doing at the moment my internship for Stenden in Antigua. Before, I did a half year exchange program in Argentina which I can recommend to all. I love to travel and get to know new cultures. In my free time I am doing a lot of sport, going to the cinema and meeting friends and here in Antigua I really like going to the beach. Why have you chosen for the Caribbean? Why Antigua and the Sandals in particular? I have chosen for the Caribbean because of the fact that I like to gain experience in different departments and I am not sure yet in which department I would like to work in the future. The other internship places like in Europe do not offer that kind of cross training.

‘They are happier than people in the Netherlands’ Furthermore, when I lived in Argentina last year I realized that I would like to travel more and get to know more countries and cultures. I have

not been to the Caribbean before so I decided to go here. Moreover, I chose Sandals because Stenden has a lot of connections to the hotel chain and is sending always interns to Sandals which are satisfied.

‘Incredible blue ocean and beautiful beaches’ I chose in particular Antigua because I would like to work in the Wedding department which is very big here in Antigua. What is your position and what are your tasks? In my position as an intern I am working in six different departments during 8.5 months. I am working in Entertainment, Bar, Housekeeping, Sales, Concierge and Weddings. I do

not get high positions in each department but I get a good overview about all tasks and responsibilities. In housekeeping I was also supervisor in my last week. What do you like/not like about Antigua? What is the biggest difference to the Netherlands? I really like the island Antigua, especially because I have not been to the Caribbean before it is very special for me to see an incredible blue ocean like that and the beautiful beaches. Moreover, the climate differs to the Netherlands; here you have the whole year summer which I really enjoy. There are also a lot of culture differences, Antiguan people see everything more relaxed than Dutch people. They do not have that much time pressure, also not in the hotel. Further-

more, they are more open towards people and talk about everything. Of course they are also poorer but they are happier than people in the Netherlands even though they do not have a high living standard. Here in Antigua I like to explore different beaches and the nature. A disadvantage is that I have to work 6 days a week so that I do not have a lot of free time, especially because I also have to write papers for university. I knew that before I came here, so I was not surprised but sometimes it is still hard. The advantage is that I learn a lot and that I will know the hotel and the departments very well.

What do you recommend to students going on internship in the future? I recommend students to not choose their internship witin their own country.

The development of personality & work experience is much higher in a foreign country’

What is your favourite local dish? I do not have a favourite local dish but I like the coconut water which you can drink directly out of the coconut and which is typical for Antigua.

We are still young and it is such a great experience to explore different countries

and cultures. Furthermore, the development of personality and work experience is much higher in a foreign country. Especially if a student does not know which department she or he likes the most I would recommend the Caribbean or Sandals because of the cross training. Moreover, Sandals is experienced to train interns and a reputable and famous hotel chain.

Internship possibilities Antigua

Auburn

• Sandals

• West Paces Hotel Group

Aruba

Bonaire

•Renaissance Resort • Holiday Inn • Manchebo Beach Resort • La Cabana Beach Resort • Tierra del Sol • Aruba Wine & Dine • Aruba Weddings for You • Kremer Tourist Services • Aruba Tourism Authority

• Divi Flamingo Beach Resort • Buddy Dive Resort

St Lucia

Curacao

St.Thomas

• Renaissance Resort • Hyatt Regency • Hilton • Pietermaai Smal • Restaurant De Gouverneur

• Restaurant Ginger & Mundo • Bizarro

• Sandals

• Sugar Bay Resort

Exchange Report by Helen Woltering ‘Don’t ever let somebody tell you, you can’t do something. If you got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it!’ – The Pursuit of HappinessAccording to my favourite motto from one of my favourite movies, which perfectly reflects the American Dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, I decided to apply for an exchange program in the United States. My name is Helen Woltering, I am a 23 year-old Media – and Entertainment student in the fourth year and I have been studying abroad for one semester at Michigan State University (MSU) from 17th August to 16th December, 2011. I don´t know exactly what it was that made me want to go to the United States so badly but I think we all do get a lot of American influence through the media industry, which always reflects this “you can achieve whatever you want as long as you work hard enough” attitude.Their lifestyle seemed to be so casual and cool. I really had no particular reason, I just always dreamed of living in America for a while.

‘I always dreamed of living in America’ The application process requires a lot of paperwork. Besides, there are no country specific experts available whom you could ask con-

cerning exchange programs at Stenden. Margriet ter Horst has been really helpful in collecting information and contacting my exchange university.

you as they see that you are eager to get a study program at their university. Moreover, students should not underestimate the time it takes to ap-

However, I would recommend each student who wants to go on exchange to keep in touch with the university abroad rather than just letting Stenden do everything. If you contact the people in your exchange country they will help

ply for a VISA. Just make sure you get your letter of acceptance as soon as possible even if it means you have to bug the teachers sometimes ;-) After 4-5 months of application clutter, I finally sat on a plane to Detroit.

‘Four exciting months abroad were waiting for me’ I was picked up at the airport and brought to East Lansing, a relatively small (for American proportions) college town. It seemed as East Lansing is made out of dorms. Wherever we drove, there was one dorm after another and a lot of football stadiums – yes, I was definitely in the U.S. When I entered my dorm, it looked like in the movies. Many students at MSU live together in dorms or flat shares. In general, everything is more “community based” compared to Stenden University. If you go on exchange you make friends pretty easily. I immediately built a community with all the other exchange students. Every day we went for breakfast, lunch and dinner together. No one really eats at home. Huge dining halls with a hundred of meal options give you the opportunity to get in touch with other students. As America doesn´t really have a culinary culture we enjoyed a semester of burger, fries and strawberry cheesecake-eating, which does not mean you cannot get anything healthier than that ;-) Americans are really openminded when it comes to making new friends. They are interested in what you do, who you are and where

you are from. Everybody is into small talk. People are just really extroverted but at the same time they keep relationships relatively superficial, which is not necessarily meant to be negative.

course however, took place in an auditorium with 250 students. Surprisingly, it was relatively quiet and never chaotic. I have to admit that Michigan State is an extremely well structured university.

People in America are also very patriotic about their country and their culture. Every dorm, house or flat has an American flag in the backyard or in front of the door. Even the teachers have an American flag next to their desk. Every student wears a Michigan State bag, a Michigan State sweater or Michigan State pants. The students dress according to the motto “go green, go white”, which are the colours of the university. Besides their patriotism and their highly extroverted behaviour I could not realize any major differences.

From the degree of difficulty I would compare the courses to the ones at Stenden. My courses at MSU weren´t much easier, neither were they too challenging. The only difference is that students at MSU have to do much more homework ;-) The teachers are really eager to support students and their future career.

‘Don’t underestimate the time it takes to apply for a VISA’ The campus in Michigan is huge and this is still an understatement. On my first day at school I walked 40 minutes from my dorm to my classroom. But of course you can also go by bus if you like to. I decided to take advertising minors at MSU, which was highly interesting. The teaching system is pretty similar to a school system. My courses were pretty small, around 20-30 students. One

Michigan is also a good spot to travel to other cities. I have been to Chicago and Detroit, which is nearby. I also went to New York and Boston and after classes ended I travelled along the West Coast for one month together with friends I met at MSU. Writing this report made me realize how much I miss this time. I would highly recommend every student who is thinking about an exchange program to consider the partnership with Michigan State University. It also helped me to find a good internship and the university has a really good reputation as well. With this in mind:

‘Go green – go white – go studying at MSU!’ 25

Self-test What kind of traveler are you?!

Are you the person who is looking for adventure or do you prefer to enjoy a cocktail while lying on the beach? Fill in the test and let’s find out! 1. What hotel do you prefer? a) A familiar hotel where I know what to expect b) A little house nearby any source of spirituality like a temple or nature c) A little house located in a small village with locals d) A five star all-in hotel next to the beach e) I only need my tent 2.What kind of luggage do you take? a) A middle sized black suitcase b) A small colourful suitcase or bag c) A small backpack d) The biggest suitcase I have e) A big backpack 3. How long before actually going on holiday, have you booked? a) At least 6 months in advance b) Whenever I have the feeling to do it c) The sooner, the cheaper d) A couple of months before I am leaving e) Last-minute 4. What would you definitely take with you when going on holiday? a) My agenda b) My diary c) A picture of my family d) My sunglasses and a swimsuit e) A knife and a lighter 5. What do you ‘value’ most when going on holiday? a) An organized day to day plan b) Self-development c) Reality and learning about cultures d) Relaxation and party e) Adventure

‘A’ as most chosen answer? Then you are a goal oriented traveller. Before going on vacation everything needs to be planned step by step.You do not like to be surprised and therefore you prefer a place in which you know what to expect. You chose organized excursions over spontaneous local activities. Moreover your journey should not take too long; once your plans are completed it is time for you to return back home. Tips and tricks Join an organized tour, which is arranged by a travel agency, for example the Route 66 in the United States or an organized tour in Mexico. Ask families and friends about their experience in different hotels. Arrange the bus tickets and the fly dates already in front.

‘B’ as most chosen answer? Then you can be called a spiritual traveler.You go on a journey in order to find a deeper meaning in your life. Being surrounded by nature and spirituality pleasures your needs and you can find yourself in the process. Your journey will lead to developing your personality and enjoying the good things in live. Tourist attractions are not interesting for you at all. Tips and tricks Go to Elqui Valley in Peru, located on the thirty degrees latitude, which is said to be of greatest energy. Astrology, yoga, meditation, healing chakral, and Buddhism are practiced. In Pucallpa, located in Peru again, the Shipibo shamans are rich legends and traditions are centuries old. This is rustic spirituality with absolutely no amenities or tourist infrastructure; the place to be when you want to find your inner self.

‘C’ as most chosen answer? Real-life traveller is the type you are.You are looking for reality, and therefore you avoid famous tourist attractions. You want to meet locals and get to know their culture inside out afterwards. You inform yourself about their culture in advance, like eating patterns, the way people are living and then you try to adapt and be part of their culture. Tips and tricks Go do volunteer work within Buenes Aires and help the children there to enjoy life and get education. Think you know Costa Rica? Trade in the same old settings for the real deal. Move into the heart of the jungle, live with three families in a remote village and embrace your inner Tarzan while bunking down behind a massive waterfall in a hidden cave. Multiple travel agencies offer these kinds of tours, join one of them!

‘D’ as most chosen answer? Then you are the type of traveler who wants to have fun It is all about relaxation and fun, you never go on vacation by yourself. Luxury and comfort will define your days, Mountain climbing or a pilgrimage? Leave it up to the ‘real crazy ones’; you rather stay at the pool, enjoying the sun while lying on the beach with a cocktail in your hand. Tips and tricks Go enjoy South America; the place to be for lovers of the mañana mentality.The whole continent breathes a relaxed atmosphere and has the most idyllic beaches, where you can chill or relax. In the period of November until March; Chili and Argentina are recommended, sun hours are ensured! The Mexican beaches should not be missed. The sea is turquoise and the beaches are white, do you need more? You will find both beaches on the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. ´E´ as most chosen answer? Then you are the traveler who is looking for adventure! You want adventure, traveling by yourself, no problem for you! You want to see and do as much as possible; rest is something you could do at home. Dangerous activities, physical exhaustion and excitement are a few of the aspects that are essential for a successful vacation. You are the traveler who wants to climb the highest mountains and jump of the highest cliff. Tips and tricks Go skydiving! There is nothing quite like jumping out of a plane and seeing the sights that California for example has to offer, such as the amazing views of sparkling Atlantic Ocean out of the sky! Or what about Nevada; seeing the hoover dam and Lake Mead and the Las Vegas Strip. Experience how it feels like to beat the snow during a ride on a sled dog or snow scooter in Canada. Recommended is to check your insurance, if these kinds of activities are included. If not, make sure you adapt your policy to include such activities.

Student’s Voice 'Which three items would you take with you on a secluded island?'

Lukas Grzonka I 24 I IBMS I German I would take a survival knife (like the one of Bear Grylls),a diving mask/goggles and somebody to talk to. The survival knife is to me a very important tool for surviving on a desert island. That is because with its help one cannot only hunt but also build a shed and new tools (spear, water collector, etc.).A diving mask I would take with me to hunt in the richness in fish or if there are no fish around, I would also use the mask to scoop water from a stream and/or collect water on rainy days. The last “item” (if you want to call it like that) I would bring to the island is another person. Since, my survival is secured by the other two items it would be much more fun on an island with somebody to share the experience with. Moreover, with a little bit of luck, the other person also brought three items, so we can complement each other.

Chen Zhu I 24 I IHM I Chinese When I would go on a secluded island, I would take with me food, a flashlight and my mobile phone. The food and the flashlight will keep me alive and make it easier for me to survive. The phone I can use for communicating so I am not that lonely. Rosario Andronaco I 22 I IHM I Italian I would take a bottle of water to drink in order to survive as long as possible, a knife to get fruits and leaves and a mirror for reflexing when there is an airplane coming.

Sophie Maers I 21 I IHM I Dutch I would take a boat, a map and someone who can stear a boat and can read a map. I would take these three things with me, so that when I was tanned enough and bored, I could go back home! Kristian Georgiev I 21 I IHM I Bulgarian Woman, notebook and a pen. Notebook and pen so I can put my thoughts on paper before I go crazy. Woman so I can produce the thoughts that I am putting on paper. Quintus Linthorst I 21 I IHM I Dutch First of all a knife which is very handy to survive, my girlfriend so we can live together like monkeys and fire to keep it warm and prepare food. Ziba Vakilzadeh I 21 I TM I German-Iranian I would take a good friend, so it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be boring, and something to drink and food to survive.

Redevelopment of the Student Lounge

As you already might have noticed is the Student Lounge since the beginning of Module 2 closed. Many rumours made its way through school regarding the questions why it has been closed, for how long and what will happen with it. Since for us, the editorial team of this magazine, the Student Lounge is basically our office we took part in the day to day life of the redevelopment phase. Therefore, we want to give you a bit of insight into it with this interview.

Name: Chris Oldenburger Age: 23 Education: IHM, class of 2007 Position: Junior Practical Instructor at Stenden University Hotel; Assessment place: Stenden Student Lounge (SSL) How did you get to the position of a junior practical instructor at the SSL? I wanted to go on internship in the Netherlands, preferably in the northern part. Stenden had positions available to which I could apply to. During my studies I really liked the practice part. What fascinates me about being a practical instructor is that you can combine work with educating students and getting them to think about what they are doing. In my second and third year I was already supervisor and manager at the SSL. I heard that the SSL was about to change its concept which I saw as a great opportunity for me. What also motivated me in my choice was that I do not only have to plan and develop something on paper but actually can execute it in reality. Why did the SSL close and why so sudden? Unfortunately, the SSL never reached its goals and purpose which was to create a lounge area for international students where they can meet up and study. Besides, the SSL did not generate enough money mainly due to the fact that only 10 to 15 guests visited the lounge per day. There sadly were even days without any

customers. Why so sudden? Well, that was a decision from the board. It is hard to work on a new concept whilst still operating the business. Therefore, they decided to close down and thus allow enough time for brainstorming and working out ideas. What exactly happened during module two in the SSL? In the beginning there was a lot of brainstorming involved about possible concepts. The managers looked up trends and had to make an internal and external analysis. Furthermore, we had several meetings with the decision makers to whom we presented our final three ideas. One idea was directly eliminated which left us with two ideas. At the end we chose the most appealing and realistic idea which we then had to elaborate and put into shape.

What will happen in the upcoming weeks? As soon as we have completely worked out the concept the refurbishment will start. We will need to do major changes such as putting in a new floor, painting the walls, installing a kitchen air circulation and many more. Moreover, we will have to write and execute everything involved in a business development, for instance the service marketing concept or developing new manuals for the students. Basically we have to build up a new business from scratch.

When will be the reopening? In module three of this year. This will be like a try out phase where we want to see how our guests perceive the new concept. For this module no students except for the practical instructors will be working and only small groups will be invited. By the end of module three and the latest in module four we hope to open the SSL completely to the public and also let our students have practice here again. One final question about your future: Where do you see yourself in five years? In 5 years I hope to be working at Stenden University Hotel as a Practical Instructor. Furthermore, I will be busy with rounding of my masters at Stenden. Regarding the department, I do not have a preference yet but I hope that the SSL will become a success where I can put my passion and energy in.

Colofon Chief Editor Niels van Felius Editorial Team Svenja Giese Aline Heinzelmann Lysia Soons Almudena Spinner Design & Layout Editorial Team Copies 1,500

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Interested to know how this magazine was made? Come by the Stenden university hotel and find out! We welcome your input, ideas & articles. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any information or queries:

Founders Daniel Spijker & Mark Struik Printing Office Dekker Drukwerken Leeuwarden Advertisers Studentenvereniging Io Vivat Stenden University Hotel In co-operation with IHM Stenden University, Leeuwarden We would like to thank the following for their co-operation Annica Hartwig Katrin Eichler Helen Woltering Chris Oldenburger

Hospitality Delighted Postbus 1298 8900 CG Leeuwarden Tel: 058-2441188 info@hospitalitydelighted.nl www.hospitalitydelighted.nl You can also find us on: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn