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Celia is a current student of the MSc in International Hospitality Management, a 16-month full time program exclusively delivered in English and in partnership with Institut Paul Bocuse.

Discover her profile and see what she has to say about the program!

• Can you tell us a bit about your academic background?

Before starting the MSc in International Hospitality Management, I was a student at Aix-Marseille University in Aix-en-Provence. I have a Master in Applied European Languages meaning that I speak both English and Spanish. Aix has a unique program in this field which gave me the opportunity to spend two years abroad: one in Belgium, in the Flemish part, and one in Spain. Travelling and intercultural exchanges have always been my passion.

• Why did you decide to pursue a master's degree in hospitality management?

My experiences abroad made me realize that I wanted to work with people coming from different parts of world, with different backgrounds and cultures. Finding ways to make all these people work together can be a real challenge but it is also a source of motivation and satisfaction when achieving this goal. For me, this multicultural environment is exactly what you find in the hospitality industry.

• Why did you choose the MSc in International Hospitality Management?

I chose this program mainly because I find the partnership between EMLYON Business School and Institut Paul Bocuse very interesting. Networking is very important nowadays and both of these schools have established Alumni Networks. Also, I am convinced that it is the best place to acquire the necessary knowledge about the hospitality industry. Furthermore, the opportunity to spend a semester in Shanghai, learning about the culture and customs of Asian hospitality, particularly drew my attention.

• What are you career objectives upon finishing the program? Have these changed so far throughout the program?

My objectives have not changed but they became more precise thanks to the classes we had which helped us develop our career plans. I knew before starting the program that I wanted to work in hotels. Now that I have more information on the different departments and functions you can find in hospitality, I know that I would like to do my internship abroad, in a five star hotel, alongside the Guest Relation Manager.

• What has been the highlight for you of the first term of the programt?

The Careers Workshops have been the highlight of this first term for me. We also had the great opportunity to meet professionals from great hospitality companies such as ACCOR, the Lucien Barrière Casinos or GL Events. All these firms are specialized in different segments of the hospitality industry, allowing us to learn about people with very different experiences and visions.

• How did the Professional Immersion Module help you comprehend first-hand the business environment of the hospitality industry? 

I did not have a clear knowledge of the hospitality industry before starting the MSc in International Hospitality Management so it was quite interesting for me to have 3 weeks between the end of August and the beginning of September to learn more about this industry and its culture. We had an introduction course on the history of hospitality. We also spent time in Institut Paul Bocuse's kitchens with Chef Jean Philippon and at the Hotel-Ecole Le Royal, giving us a sneak look at how the main departments operate (Housekeeping, Reception and Food & Beverage). It was also an opportunity for us to get to know each other before the official start of the semester.