Future Filipino hoteliers from the hospitality management school-property Vatel Manila recently joined a cross-cultural summer exchange program in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hailing from seven Vatel schools across Asia, the whole contingent comprised of over 100 students. Other participants came from Vatel India, Uzbekistan, Singapore, Kunming, Vietnam and Nepal.
Vatel is a worldwide network that prepares younger generations to build their professional careers in the international hospitality and tourism management industries. With more than 50 campuses in Europe, America, Asia and Africa, its alumni of 35,000 strong occupy leadership positions in premiere hotels and restaurants around the world.
For years, the lauded institution has partnered with the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) to jointly offer the first international double bachelor degree under the new transnational guidelines of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management.
The Philippine delegation was composed of International Hospitality Management students Mary Grace Mercado, Julianna Aloysius Esguerra, Princess Jerica Gan, Marian Rodelyn Miñano, Xavier Alexander Olaguer, Ann Patricia Rañola, Andrea Lili Corpus, Walter Edward Treichler, Liezl Anne Nierves, Marionne Christelle Ang, Daniel Allyson Romano, Laila Eunice Javier, Francesca Louise Tangi, Samantha Megan Co, Stephanie Jayne Matubay, Cielo Espiritu and Keith Nathan Orseo.
Completing the roster are Sofia Nadine Bachmann, Pamela Clarette Mauleon, Penny Winchell Ong, Karen Shiao, Denmark Rois Vitug, Jeanfen Niña Guo, Alliza Cher Manalo, Khlydean Ymi Faith Vergara, Martina Beatrice Yulo, Isei Nohara, Julia Karryle Arciaga, Ashana Mel Rosales, Hazel Ann Napa, Jada Lyssandra Weinmann, Louielyn Kae Andaya, Axcel Ross Arsulo, Julia Mae Paquibot, Erika Mae Mirabueno, Anjelo Pauleo Martin and Brian Vincent Uy.
The group was accompanied by International Hospitality Management Program Chairperson Juan Paolo Sumera and Hospitality Management Program Chairperson Jerwin Pineda.
Hosted by Silpakorn University International College (SUIC), also known as Vatel Thailand, under the leadership of Dean Dr. Sompid Kattiyapikul, the immersion introduced the envoys to the rich culture and heritage of the country.
The delegation attended comprehensive lectures on Thai beliefs and design branding, as well as hands-on discussions and workshops on Thai hospitality and cuisine.
Among the highlights of the trip were the series of experiential tours around the famous hotspots across Thailand, including eco-cultural destination Suan Sampran, and Nakhon Pathom – the home of the giant Phra Pathommached and Bhikkhuni temple Wat Song Thammakanlayani.
The students likewise traveled to The Historic City of Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Siamese Kingdom from the 14th to the 18th centuries, which now serves as an extensive archaeological site on the history, diplomacy, and commerce of old Thailand.
