Discovering the Les Roches Way of Life
My name is Guillaume Lafond and I am a French student currently studying at Les Roches Marbella. Since this is my first attempt at writing for the school blog I thought my first article should cover my experience as a first year student.
It all began last year. I arrived in Malaga to 38 degree temperatures in the heat of summer and there was no mistaking – I was in Spain! There was Spanish being spoken everywhere and from the moment I stepped off the plane I was breathing this country’s culture and history, its wonders and of course its football was ever present in the conversation since they had recently won the European Cup.
I took my luggage and proceeded to find the taxi that the school had sent to retrieve me from the airport. Finally, the moment I had been waiting so many months for had arrived and before I knew it, I was having my first Les Roches experience right there at the airport taxi stand. It turned out there were two other students who were to share the ride to Marbella, Khaled from Lebanon and Dimitra from Greece.
Feeling at home
The ride to Marbella went fast since we were talking and getting to know each other along the way. Then the taxi stopped and there we were, on the campus of Les Roches Marbella. I could only stop for a second to admire the school as we were being greeted by a group of second year students who would help us to jump right into campus life. Before I knew it I had gone through the enrolment procedures, picked up my uniforms, and was opening the door to the room I would call my home for the next three years.
Everything was happening so fast. I was extremely nervous but at once filled with excitement as I took my first walk around the campus, discovering the school and meeting all the new faces along the way.
Those first days flew by. In fact, the first semester flew by. You could say quicker than the blink of an eye because since classes began I haven’t had a chance to reflect on how I ended up here. But today, I have decided to take a moment and look back on it all, thanks to this opportunity to write an article for the student blog.
Reflecting on my choice
Like all young people, last year I was faced with the decision we must make when we are about to finish secondary school: What career path should I choose and where am I going to pursue it? After looking at my options and contemplating the fields that best suited my aspirations, I concluded that Hospitality Management satisfied all of the criteria considered by me to be important.
Once I narrowed the field down to hospitality, the next decision was to choose a school that would offer me the best opportunity. So I researched schools around the world that specialize in hospitality related studies and after weighing the numerous options available to me, Les Roches Marbella was the logical choice. This was reinforced by its longstanding reputation and recognition as a school offering a combination of Swiss hospitality knowhow in its curriculum and its highly esteemed American accreditation. Not to mention, the campus is located in an important high-end tourist destination whose name is recognized around the world.
Now that I have actually lived the Les Roches experience, I can attest to other attributes that represent Les Roches Marbella’s value to the Hospitality Industry: the teamwork, quality service, and solidarity that is instilled in all of us from the very beginning is revered by leading hotels who seek out the very best to join their teams.
Looking to the future
After a year studying, I could not be happier with my choice. Every day I have a great time regardless of whether or not I have a heavy workload. And believe me, there are days that leave you completely exhausted! Meanwhile, I am discovering and learning in a friendly atmosphere and the hospitality world is influencing my own hospitality towards others. I am a people person and I thrive on the contact I have with so many cultures on campus. When I first arrived I had no idea just how international the school was; from Portuguese, Russians and Swedish students to Spanish, Egyptians and Kazakhstanis, Les Roches Marbella unites more than 50 nationalities and all of them have one thing in common – they are all fabulous people pursuing their dream to be successful in the hospitality industry.
Then there are the teachers and staff, all of whom are extremely nice and know what they teach from years of experience in the industry. They are also very close to us students and do their best to make us feel comfortable and confident in our daily tasks.
Sitting here today, I can honestly say that Les Roches is much more than a school, it’s a way of life and I am enjoying this new life to the fullest. Furthermore, my long term vision is taking shape and this encourages me to do my best both in my studies, my work and in my friendships with my colleagues.
Today I am ready to conquer the world of hospitality and I invite you to follow me as I update my blog with my first internship experience beginning as I write this article now. I’m sure there will be plenty of stories to tell as I embark on this professional journey at the spectacular Hotel W Barcelona over the next semester.
Until next time, good luck to all of you in your chosen paths.
