Mumbai boy in Switzerland

So finally, I am ready for another blog, quite a long time. February 2021, I resigned from my Food & Beverage Associate position and decided to do a Master's in Hospitality. Covid pandemic gave direction to my life. With Family support and love, I was able to come to Switzerland on 14th April 2021 for my further hospitality studies. I chose Glion Institute for my post-graduation as per the ranking and review. The Swiss journey was my first international trip for me that's the reason, the first few weeks were difficult for me to understand countries' standards of living and people's nature. The first day of arrival I met one French guy who's super cool and he became my first Swiss friend called Adrien. He acknowledged and gave an overview of a lot of things regarding shopping, excursion places, and the best food places. 

Furthermore, this blog is primarily all about my Swiss journey. #Fun #Friends #New Life #Food #Stranger People.  During my Hospitality Course, I observed different cultures, leadership skills, as well as working nature. If one fancies and is keen on luxury life then Switzerland is a place one would want to visit and get an astonishing experience of luxury living. Besides, if you want to enhance and develop leadership skills in a different country then understanding a country's leadership style is essential. Thinking long-term is always better for one's goals. From Glion Institute, I learned Professionalism, Innovation, and Brand Standard. 

During First Semester, I was able to find my Glion Crew #Glion who eventually happened to be friends in Family, they are friends in need who are friends indeed, we enjoyed and nurtured every moment, as well as worked together. In addition, with them, I explored Swiss Traditional food.  My Crew consisted of Spanish, Japanese, French, and Indian Nationalities. In 2021, during FIFA World Cup, Spanish and French are in good bilateralism but, whilst the match time, they are rivals. However, in Swiss, match-winning enjoyment is different. All people gather on the road and celebrate their victory as Switzerland consists of 4 nationalities: German, Italy, France, and Swiss. On the other note, in aspect to our course pattern we had to write approximately more than 10 assignments and 2000 Word Limit, in the beginning, I was overwhelmed to carry the pressure of the studies and essays, thinking it was a big deal. Nonetheless, it all depends on how well you do the research, how you write and present. I was always Passionate about Wine and Alcoholic Beverages hence, at the end of the first semester I applied for the 2nd-semester wine president role and eventually got selected. At that time, I was nervous about how I can manage student life and professional life. Consequently, the second semester was the crucial term for us, as we had to find an internship in Hospitality at the end of the course. 

As the Second semester commenced on September 14th, 2021, those 7 months in Switzerland were wondrous. Summer was already gone and it was the time for the best season which is Autumn as nature becomes colourful and pictorial. This semester was pivotal for us as we are heading towards our life decisions and chasing our goals. The term two modules were more focusing on hospitality brand and financing part that helped me out how to develop the particular skills which play a vital role in the hospitality sector. We had a total of 10 subjects for short courses so the task was to complete the assignment soon as possible and start another one. As I had an important role of Wine president which means I had to find and recruit the team members to make a committee and work with them, organize an event for students to enhance Glion Student life and it was essential because since Covid breakdown Glion student life shunned and we had a responsibility to run and make it efficacious. In the second semester, I learned time management and how critical it is to achieve and complete the imperative tasks. Along with that as you are an international environment one is ought to be obliged in managing the expenditure and cut down the trivial miscellaneous expense which makes you realize the importance and the value of money. In the first semester, I spent a lot of money and if you convert 1CHF – 80RS that's a huge amount, you don't realize where you spend. So, I decided I need to keep a record of my expenditure so that I cut down the redundant expenses.

November 25th, 2021 was the best day of my life. We had Career and Recruitment Day on 3rd November and that particular day many hospitality companies take an interview for an internship or permanent job position. I decided I would like to do an internship in one of the EU countries only. But, unfortunately, I was unable to find an internship in the EU on 3rd November. So, I sent my application to all Swiss big hospitality chains. Eventually, some replied that "We require Language" instead of getting demotivated I believed in myself and sent an application in the German part of Switzerland. Finally, I got a mail From Chenot Palace Weggis that "you need to come for an interview" it was my first face-to-face interview opportunity in an international environment. Since Bulle to Weggis is 3 Hrs travel distance by Train. So, on 25th November I went for an interview. They interrogated me regarding my previous job as well as my Glion studies. After the interview, the hotel restaurant manager gave me a short tour of the hotel and the Hr manager told me we will revert you regarding the interview result. In addition, I saw the first snowfall in Swiss. Next week I got a response from the hotel that "You are selected for an internship …." Which is why it was the best day and one of the memorable days for me. 

In between November, we were planning for our Christmas Holidays but planning never works its true…firstly we decided to visit Italy but my best friend Shouryan canceled the plan for some reason and eventually we decided to travel around Austria. Perhaps we weren't fortunate enough and Covid cases were rising again all around Europe hence guidelines were strong and many Eu countries were asked to close their borders. Finally, on December 2nd week we again changed our plan and decided to travel to Switzerland. 

December 18th – 3rd January 2022.  One of the best vacations in my life, we were in a group of 6 friends who started our trip from Lucerne. On 21st we went to Chur, did lots of snow activities. 24th Dec. 2021 I felt from sledding and my right shoulder ligament was tore as this year Christmas was memorable for me. In Switzerland, there is the famous Glacier Express that has a direct train connecting railway stations of the two major mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz via Ander Matt in the central Swiss Alps. We booked the train ticket from Chur and on 27th Dec and we had a journey all-around more than 12Hrs and reached Zurich Ibis hotel, as we planned New year celebration in Zurich. New years Eve was so special for me because the first time I was celebrating new year's away from my home and it was amazing. We did lots of fun, we went to the nightclub and enjoyed the party. Finally, on 3rd Jan 2022, we had to return to Bulle. This amazing trip was memorable for me and I found my 2nd Glion Crew #Glion Family. After this trip, we all suffered from Covid. 

January 16th – 20th January. A field trip to Spain. As per our program, we have a mandatory field trip which is organized by the institute and this field trip is most important for making connections and hospitality life. Due to this Barcelona Field trip, I feel hospitality life is changing during Covid industry experts inventing cutting edge technology which is helpful for hotel operations. The first day I visited the Football Barcelona club and it's not only a football club it is more than that. We had Traditional Spanish Lunch that amazed me. As in our package, breakfast was included hence every day I had different types of egg platter. Each day we had different activities and visits. Finally, I completed my hospitality study and I was waiting for my graduation day and internship first day. 

14th February 2022. Graduation Day. Finally, the Day, it was a special day for me. Our graduation ceremony was offline as well as broadcasted live telecast on YouTube. Finally, the moment arrived when they announced my name, how overwhelming it feels when your parents are watching these memorable moments whether it is live or in person but the best feeling is that you are achieving something most precious in your life. On graduation night I had my last dinner with my Glion Crew in Montreux Jazz Café. We all were emotional that we finally did it. We completed our postgraduation and no one knows when will we meet again….  In this whole Glion journey, it was the best memorable experience because Glion taught me everything. Gave me Friendship, Skills, Professionalism. 

Finally, I am ending this blog and soon I will post my internship day blog as I already started my internship and it's amazing in a multicultural environment.