Answers:
What are the other students like at BHMS?
Our students come from a wide variety of countries and many different
backgrounds. You will have the opportunity to learn about other countries
and their hospitality industries from your colleagues as well as the
teaching faculty. Most students are in the early stages of their careers,
while some come to BHMS to facilitate a career change. The majority
of our students are in their 20s, although ages range from 18 to late
30s.
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What are Swiss people like?
The Swiss are generally quite conservative. In the most part, this does
not, however, prevent them from being friendly towards foreign guests
to their country, provided that you also respect the Swiss and their
culture. The younger generation in particular is very willing to speak
English and is interested in other nationalities and cultures. Switzerland
in general is very international - over 20% of Swiss residents are non-Swiss.
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I can't speak any German - can I still
study at BHMS?
German is the local language of Luzern and as such, an important factor
for your everyday life and your future Industry Training. However, you
will learn this language as part of your program and do not have to
have any previous knowledge of German.
All courses (apart from German lessons) at BHMS are held in the English
language (IELTS 5.5 standard).
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How will I be assessed?
Assessment at BHMS is based on 3 'pillars' of education: Academic performance
(including attendance); Industry Training and Professional Attitude.
You will be expected to achieve a minimum of 85% attendance, 50% Grade
Point Average and 70 Professional Attitude points. You will receive
further details of how to do this on your Orientation Day.
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Can I create my own schedule?
Yes, provided you are not working for a Brighton transfer. The HD1 program
is a self-contained program to which no substitutions may be made. For
the PGD program, if required subjects are satisfied and you have an
interest in certain elective subjects, you may choose and pick from
those in order to complete your credit requirement.
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How do I get my course material?
BHMS includes the use of all course material in the price of the program.
A textbook may be given to you depending on the course you are scheduled
for and you will then be expected to return the book at the end of term
in the same condition it was given to you. Marked and damaged books
(except workbooks) become the property of a student and the price will be
deducted from the security deposit.
BHMS also has a small library facility of its own - students wishing
to research more thoroughly can also join the University Library in
nearby Zürich.
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Will I need my own laptop?
Although this is not compulsory at BHMS, we recommend that you should
bring your own laptop if you have one. Some elective courses require
this, and it is undoubtedly useful for completing assignments. There
are docking positions in our computer room with which you can use your
own laptop to access our network.
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Do I have Internet access?
Yes! Internet access is included in your fees at BHMS! Currently access
is through our computer room, which is conveniently located in the residence
building where you will also be living. The computer room is open until
23:00 every evening.
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How big is the school?
BHMS is the specialist Hotel Management division of the Bénédict
school group. Currently approximately 200 students are able to enrol
in Hotel Management programs at any one time. Therefore the atmosphere
is very personal and the staff gets to know the students well over the
course of their programs.
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Where will I live?
First Year students live in our residence building at Gütschstrasse 2,
6003 Luzern. Student accommodation is generally in 2-bed rooms, which
have their own kitchenette and en-suite shower / WC. The rooms are clean,
modern and comfortable.
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What is provided in my room?
All rooms contain a bed, wardrobe, bedside table, desk and chair per
student. Bed linen and towels are also provided and can be exchanged
at no cost once per week. The kitchenette contains the basics for cooking
and eating and includes a refridgerator and microwave oven.
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What do I need to bring with me?
The following items should be on your packing list: alarm clock and
hairdryer for your room, laptop computer if you have one, English dictionary
or translator if this is not your native language, paper and pens for
note-taking, warm clothes for the winter.
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Do I have to wear uniform at BHMS?
Instead of a formal uniform, BHMS students are expected to wear business
dress. This consists of a cloth suit, shirt and tie for our male students
and for the ladies, cloth pants or skirt with a blouse and jacket and
dark closed shoes. Suits, pants and jackets should be in dark colours.
In winter, it is of course possible to add a warm sweater!
For classes in the kitchen and restaurant, students must wear black
pants or skirts (black tights with skirts) and white shirts or blouses,
black ties for the men and black shoes.
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What do the school fees include?
School fees as published on this website and include tuition, the use of
all course material, accommodation in a 2-bed room and your meals in our
school restaurant for the period when you are in school, access to our
computer room and Internet and access to our library facilities.
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How much money do I need to bring with
me for my personal expenses?
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. However,
your course fees already cover most of your necessities. We recommend
that you should have at least CHF 1,000 with you to cover expenses for
interviews, school materials such as notepads and pens, mobile telephone
bills, your first month's health insurance during Industry Training
and other general expenses.
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Can I work part-time while I am studying?
While it is illegal for students requiring a visa for Switzerland to
carry out a part-time job during their six months per year in school,
the BHMS programs give you the opportunity to work full-time for 4-6
months in every year. This means you could earn around CHF 12,000 gross
per year!
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Will the school find my Industry Training
position for me?
BHMS employs a full-time Industry Training co-ordinator to support your
job search. Provided you have a good record with us (academic performance,
attendance, professional behaviour), you will be entitled as a First
Year student to use his services at no additional cost. We have many
contacts across a wide range of hotels and restaurants and will make
every effort to secure you the best position possible for your training
period. However, your active contribution to this process is also vital
for your success.
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What kind of job will I do in Industry
Training?
Many of our First Year students find positions in back of house functions,
as kitchen assistants or in Housekeeping. These positions give you an
ideal opportunity to gain work experience and learn the details that
make a good hotel or restaurant function successfully - knowledge that
is vitally important later in your career!
Second Year students that work hard and achieve good references may
work in Food and Beverage or Front Office positions with more responsibility.
However you should not expect at this stage in your career to be accepted
for a high-level management role - these come with knowledge and experience!
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How many hours will I be expected to work
in Industry Training?
Exactly how many hours you will work depends on your contract with your
employer. However, a standard working week in Switzerland is approximately
42 hours. Traditionally, hospitality employees work very hard and, in
busy seasons, are expected to also do overtime, which is generally compensated
at quieter times. Expect to have to work at weekends, evenings or early
mornings - hospitality is not known for its sociable hours! However,
it can be an extremely rewarding career and the feeling of satisfying
customers more than makes up for the tired feet at the end of the day!
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What are my prospects when I graduate?
Many BHMS students look to find international opportunities. These are
available to many of our graduates, especially culinarians. A Higher Diploma
in Hotel Management (or equivalent), with a passion for the industry,
exemplary behavior and appearance as well a successfully completed internship
in a Swiss hotel or restaurant, are essential. Since international placement
involves close ties to local businesses, excellent knowledge of specific
immigration regulations as well as start-up assistance once a job has
been secured, is necessary and BHMS works closely with very good, dependable
and reputable agencies that help find career ladder placement. There are
costs involved in international placement such as visa fees, health insurance
prepayment, round trip tickets and housing deposits, money that can and
should be saved during Swiss internship. BHMS helps in completing documentation,
motivation letters as well as video resumes among other services.
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