Showing posts with label testimonial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimonial. Show all posts

Friday, March 11, 2016

Success Story *Sami Bentahila

Sami Bentahila, UK and Morocco

Diploma in Culinary Arts 2012, BA in International Food and Beverage Management 2015

Now working as chef-de-partie at Barnsley House Hotel and Spa in the Cotswolds, England


My name is Sami Bentahila. I started out studying hospitality management in Switzerland, but after doing an internship in kitchen in Brussels, I realized that culinary arts was what I really wanted to do. The Swiss university did not offer a speciality in this, so I moved to Alpine Center and I never regretted it.  What was good was that at the same time we did lots of practical work and also the background subjects needed for management. The place is not too big, very friendly, and of course in a great location.  I learned so much, but at the same time had lots of fun and made many good friends. The internships I did in Mykonos and Antwerp were a great chance to see different places and work in different environments.


Since leaving Alpine I have worked in several fine dining restaurants in France and the UK. At present I am at Barnsley House Hotel and Spa in the Cotswolds, England. It was selected by Condé Nast as one of their 100 top hotels in the world in 2016.  The hotel has a huge garden producing all the fruit, veg, herbs, etc for the restaurant, so I have really learned the value of seasonal local ingredients.  The work is very tough,with long hours and a lot of stress, but I get so much satisfaction when I know I have created a really good dish, especially when customers send their compliments. It also keeps you very fit! 


You need patience, stamina and determination for this career, but if this is your thing, you will just keep going pursuing your dream… If this kind of work appeals to you, Alpine Center is a good place to start!

Friday, November 20, 2015

Success Story * Konstantinos Kyriazis

Konstantinos Kyriazis,  
Alpine for Hotel and Tourism management studies
IHTTI School of Hotel Management Basel
F & B Management, Culinary arts, Food science and nutrition, with Honors, 1994 – 1998 
Operations Manager - Caffe Nero Cyprus

 

 

 Career Path

* 1996 Culinary arts graduation (8,8/10 with honours).
* Two summer seasons trainee cook Athens Hilton and Athens Ledra Marriott hotels.
* Ygia private hospital (working as a Chef and lecturer to the obesity and metabolism center) - 1 year.
* Carlson restaurants worldwide - TGI Fridays Hellas (working as a cook, new store opener, team leader, Assist. quality manager, Quality manager, Assist. training director, Store general manager, HACCP project manager, Area manager) - 8 years, managing more than 70 employees and 6 managers.
* Accor - Sofitel Athens airport (working as Bar manager, Restaurant manager, Hotel duty manager) - 2 years.
* PAUL (working as production manager - responsible for the brand growth in Greece) - 1 year.
* Starbucks Hellas (working as a store general manager) - 2 years.
* PHC franchised restaurants ltd (working as Operations manager for Caffe Nero brand, Cool bar and PAUL Cyprus) - almost 3 years till now.

Highlights of trainings and seminars: * Accor training in France.
* Managing others global seminar Oslo, Norway.
* Leadership training and best general manager award, Las Vegas - Nevada - USA.
* Restaurant management essentials training New Jersey and Dallas - USA.
* PAUL training - Lille - France.
* Caffe nero training - U.K.
Awards :
* Accor challenge competition 1 st place among 8 countries - France.
* Best general manager of the year 2006 - Las Vegas.
* Gold star recognition for being team player.
* Gold star recognition for improving bottom line margins and profit.

 

Testimonial

Alpine Center is not just another School, it is more like a big family built on and driven by passion, love, and teamwork among the faculty and staff and instilled in all the students.

I enrolled on the Culinary Arts programme of study at Alpine Center and although my career started in the kitchen my ambitions were high and I wanted to grow into more senior managerial positions in Food & Beverage. Thanks to the continued support of Alpine I was able to reach my goal and achieve the Food & Beverage Operations Manager position that I am very happy to be in now.

I strongly encourage all students interested in a serious career in the vast and global hospitality and food and beverage industry to think of Alpine Center’s Swiss programmes of study that will prepare you to succeed and much more! 

  
Willingness  to learn, love for what you do, passion, motivation and determination to succeed no matter what, are some of the qualifications you need to bring along and magic will happen.

Always remember, as one of my favourite quote says : “Some people want it to happen. Some people wish it would happen. Others make it happen”.



"Kostas was an exemplary student at Alpine Center and continues to be an exemplary alumnus, always keeping in touch with his alma mater and informing us of his career moves!! Ambitious, goal oriented with a positive outlook, excellent customer services skills plus a commitment to lifelong learning make Kostas a very successful professional that makes us very proud!"
Sybil Hofmann
President, Alpine Center, 
the Swiss Business School for Hotel & Tourism Management Education, Switzerland

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Testimonial * Joseph Chalfoun

Joseph Chalfoun, Swiss Diploma in Hotel Management, BA(Hons) International Hospitality & Tourism Management, Master’s in International Hospitality & Tourism Leadership (2005)


Head of Operations - Middle East & Greece, Food Fund International, UAE






'In 2002, 
I walked into Alpine
a young student hungry for knowledge. 

In 2005, 
I left with so much more 
than simply having my hunger satisfied'.



 



I graduated first with a Swiss Diploma in Hotel Management, then a year later with a BA(Hons) International Hospitality & Tourism Management, and finally, 12 months later with a Master’s in International Hospitality & Tourism Leadership.  


During my years at Alpine I had the opportunity to put into practice what I learned and to practice the leadership skills I acquired.  As a result I served as the President of the Alumni Association.  I also had the great fortune of doing my internship in 5 star establishments that paved the way to the career opportunities I received upon graduation.  


In a few years, Alpine has shaped the way I think and the way I regard the hospitality industry. It has instilled in me the right values and disciplines I needed to get me from one success to another. The passion and dedication the faculty showed me and my fellow students, taught us to regard each and every day as a chance to make a difference in the lives of people we meet. And that in itself is the essence of our industry


In my current position, now, I attend Alpine’s Annual Career Day, to recruit student trainees and graduates for our thriving company, just because I know those students and graduates have been trained the same way I have been, trained and educated to succeed and make a difference!


Monday, October 12, 2015

Testimonial * Erikos Kranidiotis

Erikos Kranidiotis, Hotel Management (1998)

Expert Solution Consultant, Misys




"I truly believe the skills and knowledge I gained at Alpine set the foundations for my future development".

After graduating from Alpine in 1998 I completed a Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Management and a Masters Degree in International Business Administration from Bournemouth University in the UK. I worked for five years in JP Morgan Bank in the Investment Banking Operations division. There I worked in several different departments including a Team Leader role for the Client Operations team.


I returned to Greece to complete my Military service and worked for a year at Mytilineos Holdings in the Treasury department. For the past seven and a half years I work for Misys as an Expert Solution Consultant providing Banking software solutions in the Treasury & Capital Markets sector. Both project and support related activities for our clients who are major banks in Greece and around the world. In my free time I enjoy Scuba Diving and I am a Divemaster with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.






Although my career path changed after I graduated from University, I truly believe the skills and knowledge I gained at Alpine set the foundations for my future development. Helping me achieve my goals and being able to collaborate cross functionally with people from different cultures and backgrounds. What we do in most jobs is offer services, both to our clients externally and to our colleagues internally. There is no better way to learn the Service Industries than at Alpine.






Company I work for:





Since 1979 Misys provides financial services software to more than 2000 customers across 130 countries in Retail Banking, Treasury & Capital Markets, Enterprise Risk, Buy-Side, Lending, Corporate Banking, Investment Management, Financial Software, Transaction Banking, and Risk Management. Used by some of the world’s leading global financial institutions, including 47 of the world’s 50 largest banks.



Friday, October 2, 2015

Testimonial * Lena Charitou

Lena Charitou, Graduate Travel & Tourism Management (1999)

Pilot Ground Training Support Officer for Etihad Airways 

 



'Alpine is one of the best choices I have made in my life!'







At the young age of 19 when I graduated from Alpine Center with a Swiss Diploma in Travel & Tourism Management, I was very confident and eager to succeed in this lovely field of Tourism & Aviation.  Now, 16 years later, I am thrilled to recount my success story which includes 13 years working for Air France & Air France-KLM, 2 years working as a Sales Executive for  Falcon Aviation Services, since January 2014 when I moved to Abu Dhabi, and currently, still living in Abu Dhabi, I hold the exciting position of Pilot Ground Training Support Officer for Etihad, one of the world's top leading airlines, I can guarantee that this is not just my opinion but a fact.

 

Alpine Center gave me the foundation for a global career in the travel and tourism industry, equipped me with numerous skills to work in multicultural environments, and above all instilled in me a professional attitude that is a must to succeed in this industry, coupled with a commitment to lifelong learning


I am ever so grateful to my tutors and the leadership of the Alpine Center for having provided me with everything I needed to achieve my career goals.  

Monday, September 21, 2015

Testimonial * Daria Rarenko

Daria Rarenko, Master’s degree in International Hospitality & Tourism Leadership (2014) validated by University of Wales
Project Manager for the M.I.C.E.
Ambotis Air Services Company, Greece & Europe


My name is Daria Rarenko. Studying for a Master’s degree at Alpine Center helped me acquire work experience in a tourism business  environments and gave me varied skills and the ability to work with many different types of people of different cultures, and basically to fit easily into the team.


I learned how to take initiatives, be responsible, and become a valuable team member, which is key to a successful career.

I have become very interested and motivated in working as a Project Manager for the M.I.C.E. (Meetings, Incentives, and Conventions & Exhibitions) Department in Ambotis Air Services Company.




My responsibilities included planning, organizing and coordinating M.I.C.E Projects in Greece and EU.   I was engaged to work in M.I.C.E projects with an average budget starting from 50.000 to 1.000000 euro with the net profit 20 - 30 %.  Another exciting aspect of my work is my involvement in organizing and coordinating wedding projects with the average revenue starting from 600 - 500.000 euro.



Testimonial * Irina Kuzina

Irina Kuzina, Master’s degree in International Hospitality & Tourism Leadership (2014) validated by University of Wales
Sales manager of Sbokos Hotel Group (Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort&SPA; Agapi Beach; Cretan Malia Park; Koutouloufari Village Holiday Club; Village Heights Golf Resort) -  Blue Palace is also a member of Starwood.  
Born in Tallinn, Estonia

For me education always used to be something more than academic knowledge. I believe that first of all it improves the personality and the traits needed to be competitive on the market.  

Alpine Centre had taught me many things – it improved my analytical skills, my patience as well as gave me a chance to meet a lot of amazing people and to establish a good relationship with my former classmates and present colleagues worldwide. 



However, I consider that the main thing that Alpine has taught me is belief in myself

Does not matter how difficult and sometimes even unreal your dream might seem to you – just keep going and do not try to find excuses for yourself, because you are capable of everything!


Friday, January 31, 2014

Success story *Emil Götsch

Emil Götsch
Hospitality and Tourism Management at Alpine Center (2006)
Managing Director/Senior HR Consultant of Götsch Consulting


Emil Götsch was born in 1979 in Switzerland. Raised in India, Egypt, England, Greece, France and Switzerland, he speaks English, German fluently, and very good Greek.
His outstanding résumé in combination with his exceptional personality have been the keys to his professional success. Alpine Center is very proud to present the alumni accomplishments from around the world.

Emil's Career Synopsis:
  • Facilitated delivery of business results in partnership with the CEOs   & business heads by designing and implementing HR strategies, Policies & Processes in alignment with the Organisation vision and strategy rather than simply doing a succession of add-ons and revisions.
  • Managed the process of change in terms of both organisation thinking and helping employees adapt themselves to the change in business environment and consequently in organisation systems and policies
  • Helped the organisation acquire, develop and retain talent by working on foolproofing their recruitment process, effective learning and development strategies and retention and motivation plans
Dissertation:

(HRM) A Critical Evaluation of Motivation and Front-Line Employee Productivity: A Case Study of the Zurich Marriott Hotel in Switzerland.
University of Wales (UWC) Cardiff, United Kingdom
Single Degree Program: Fast Track Academic Program 2007 (3 Years)

Education:

2004 - 2008
Major / Specialisation: International Hospitality & Tourism Management
BA Degree, Bachelor of Arts (Graduated with Honours)

  • Valedictorian Class 2007 (Honours)
  • Athenaeum InterContinental Outstanding Leadership Award.
  • Personal and Professional Excellence in Hotel Management Award.
  • Highest Average Integrated Project Group Award.

2004 - 2006
Alpine Center, The Swiss Business School Athens, Greece
Diploma Program: Fast Track Academic Program 2006  (2 Years)

Major / Specialisation: Hospitality and Tourism Management
Hospitality and Tourism Management Diploma (Honours)

  • Student Council President (2005-2007)
  • Dean’s List for Academic Excellence
  • Alpine Center Chief Editor AlpViews (2006-2007)
  • 20th Anniversary Edition
Experience:

Götsch Consulting Zurich, Switzerland
Managing Director / Senior Human Resources Consultant


Key features of the job and key achievements
  • Support the development of future leaders for the organization via enhanced ability for strategic thinking, providing vision and direction.
  • Accelerating change, intellectual honest, integrity motivating and energizing people, teamwork, and partnering, influencing, valuing all people, and developing people.
  • Support and facilitate the creation of an organizational culture that values learning, creativity, and continuous improvement.
  • Making fundamental changes to performance and behaviour
  • Developed strategies and framework for Organizational Change in corporate culture.

HR Consulting Firm Zurich, Switzerland
Deputy Branch Manager and Senior HR Consultant

(*Assisted in the opening of the HR Consultancy in Zurich)
(*Awarded Company Scholarship for further Studies)

Key features of the job and key achievements
  • Managed 30 restaurants in providing the full spectrum of Human Resource Management services to a workforce of employees across Switzerland.
  • Partnered with senior management to establish and communicate corporate mission statement and reach management objectives.
  • Lead HR related projects and ensure business practices are in
  • accordance with human resource policies and labour laws.
  • Advice restaurants on best human capital Management practices
  • and strategically assisting clients integrate effective HR processes
  • Provide advice on discipline process; conduct disciplinary review and advice on appropriate outcomes.
  • Provide consultation and guidance to senior management and organizational partners in the interpretation of human resources management policies, procedures, programs and application of related government laws and regulations.

Emil's Testimonial for Alpine Center

"My utmost gratitude goes to the entire Alpine community for guiding me on my journey of self discovery, allowing me to have been part of such a dynamic and professional group of individuals, and to have received a first-class education at the same time. Little did I know the business plan I had carefully created and manifested in my mind during my time at Alpine, would become my reality I am living today a successful Human Resources Management consulting firm in my hometown of Zurich, Switzerland. Thank you Alpine."




Emil Götsch with Eric Hofmann, President-Alpine Center Switzerland

Emil presents his Consulting Company

My name is Emil Götsch, Managing Director / Senior HR Consultant of  Götsch Consulting in Zurich, Switzerland. Our International HRM consulting firm specializes and caters to private clients and corporations world wide to reach their full individual potential achieving business results, reducing high employee turnover rate and keeping our clients most valuable asset, their Employees happy and motivated.  Welcome to our passion and services:

→ Entry Coaching
→ Professional Coaching
→ Executive Coaching
→ Bulletproof Resume Coaching
→ Career Workshops

Götsch Consulting
World Trade Center
Leutschenbachstr. 95
8050 Zurich, Switzerland

Phone +41(0)43 300 96 02
Mobile +41(0)79 173 84 82
Fax     +41(0)44 308 35 00
Skype:  goetschconsulting
emil@goetschconsulting.com
www.goetsch-consulting.com

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Testimonial *MA International Hospitality and Tourism Leadership

Ildiko Kiss, MA
Courtyard by Marriott, Brussels
“I have completed the Master’s degree programme at Alpine’s Hospitality & Tourism Management Department of City Unity College. Soon afterwards, Alpine’s dynamic Career & Placement Office assisted me in finding a great placement as an Event Coordinator Trainee at the Courtyard by Marriott in Brussels, Belgium.  During this internship I also had the chance to spend some time in almost all the departments which gave me an overall picture of the hotel and how all the departments are linked and work together. I find Events very interesting, and the best combination between operations and office work.  Tomorrow I will spend a day in the HR and I’m really looking forward to it.

I really enjoy the work at Courtyard. The colleagues are very helpful and I learn a lot from them. Their attitude to trainees is to prepare them for the profession and not to substitute work-force. I am very happy  that I ended up here. I met Stamatis Cheimarios, a fellow Alpiner who is now a Restaurant Supervisor.  Sometimes we talk about the "nice old school days". We both had a great time at Alpine.

Thank you very much once again for giving me the chance at Courtyard by Marriott in Brussels”.

Ildiko Kiss, MA graduate


Enroll now and make your dream come true! Next intake JANUARY 2014! Hurry up!
 
 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Testimonial *Hotel Management

Lena Dukhovenko
 
“Joining the Swiss ALPINE Center for my hospitality management higher education was the best decision I made in my life. Throughout the years studying for my Bachelor’s Degree, I have gained the invaluable knowledge and experience to become who I am today  and what I have achieved so far!  Alpine gave me wings to fly. I set out to do my internship in Shanghai and then found myself applying for a position with a leading hotel in New York!  These experiences prepared me for the next move to become a Business Development Executive at  Burj Al Arab, the World’s Most Luxurious Hotel in Dubai!   Now few years after graduation, I miss the ALPINE culture and the family of teachers & friends acquainted throughout the years of studying. Thank you very much for preparing me so perfectly well to the complex working environment of hospitality!”
Lena Dukhovenko
Business Development Executive - Groups
Burj Al Arab
Click to view or download Burj Al Arab e-brochures and the New Burj Al Arab Commercial
Oh yes! We are so proud of our GRADUATES!!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Testimonial *Hotel Management

Michalis (Mike) Mamais, Graduate of Alpine Center in Hotel Management, with the assistance of Ramon Amor,  lecturer and owner of Jobonship, started working with Disney Cruise Line beginning of January.

 

 
We discussed with Mike who was trilled to share his new working experience with the Alpine community.
 
 
"It is so nice here. My position is Assistant Dining Room Server. It is a unique experience. The colleagues, my superiors, even the customers are so different in a perfect way! The photo that you see below with Goofy is from my first day at work. 
 

Here you may see a picture of me and my colleagues 30 days later, with our Ears. 'Earning our Ears' is a fabulous Disney tradition! 


It is amazing! We are busy with a lot of work but we don't quite understand it. We have so  much fun! We travel along the Western Caribbean (Mexico, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Key West and the private island of Disney, Castaway Cay). As of June, we will be also travelling to Spain, Greece and Turkey. The Cruise Ship is fantastic and the places we visit like paradise.


That's a statue of Mickey Mouse from inside the ship I work. Every ship of the Disney Cruise Line has a different statue. Everybody feels like a child here. Even the older people at the 'Pirates Night' buy costumes and dress up like pirates".



 
Mike continues his fantastic journey and he knows that this is only the beginning. The future looks even brighter ahead! Good luck Mike!