Dan, on exchange at The Hague Hotelschool
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Faire défiler la pageDuring the third year of his Bachelor’s Degree in International Hospitality & Restaurant Management at Institut Lyfe, Dan Perrier had the opportunity to complete a six-month exchange at the prestigious Hotelschool The Hague, in the Netherlands. This enriching experience allowed him to come into contact with new cultures, expand his skill set, and acquire an international vision of the hotel and restaurant professions.
What made you want to go on a university exchange and choose The Hague Hotelschool as your destination?
Last year, I had the chance go to Hotelschool The Hague on a six-month exchange. I chose the destination in order to improve my English, and because the school has an excellent reputation internationally.
How did you prepare before leaving?
Before leaving, the faculty at the Dutch school provided me with excellent support so that I felt at ease when I left, and this support continued throughout the exchange.
I went by myself and then everything went very quickly: I was very lucky to get a great apartment in an area where housing can be difficult to find.
How is life in the Netherlands?
I arrived in February, when the weather was still quite changeable in the Netherlands, but I was able to go to school by bike almost every day! Then, the weather improved and from May, you got the feeling of being in a seaside resort in Scheveningen, the district where the school is located.
Den Haag is a very dynamic city offering a variety of activities. Its business centre with its towering office blocks give you the impression of being in a bustling capital, its old town immerses you in another era, surrounded by historic buildings, the countryside is very close and inspires tranquillity, and further to the west Scheveningen, with its beaches, clubs, surfing and magnificent sunsets, always makes you want to stay on for a little while longer.
How did you find student life in the Netherlands?
I integrated very quickly into a predominantly French-speaking group, because it’s true that language makes it possible to forge friendships very quickly. Thanks to this new group of friends, I was able to meet new people from all four corners of the globe, as well as from the Netherlands. I was in a year group with extremely welcoming students and a very dynamic student life.
The course schedule has been designed to give students time to work on group projects, it’s extremely formative.
There are lots of events organised for everyone: I was able to take part in various activities, great parties, barbecues in the sunshine, art workshops and football tournaments. You never get bored!
Getting around the Netherlands is fairly easy thanks to a remarkably efficient rail system. You can easily get to Amsterdam, Leiden which is my favourite, Rotterdam, and many other cities. You can visit the canals, the windmills or the tulip fields in the right season.
What did you learn there, in terms of skills and on a personal level? What have you learned from the country’s culture?
The culture is very different from France. For example, I advise you against trying to greet someone you don’t know with a kiss on the cheek: you might make an odd first impression!
Do you think that this experience will be a plus for your professional future?
This experience has enabled me to expand my network and my circle of acquaintances and close friends, as well as improving my language skills. I think that an international exchange on your CV can only be a positive thing. It proves your curiosity and your motivation to get out of your comfort zone, to take risks and adapt.
We encourage a spirit of openness to international cultures and experiences, which is why all of our students on the Bachelor’s in International Hospitality & Restaurant Management are required to complete an international component during their 3rd year, whether through a placement or an educational exchange.