Vatel Bahrain’s international internship programme brings students from Cameroon and Kigali to gain hands-on hospitality experience in Bahrain. This cross-cultural initiative supports the international hospitality institute’s mission to prepare future hospitality leaders for success in the ever-evolving, dynamic field.
Please share a brief background of your innovation.
Vatel Bahrain has implemented a pioneering international internship programme that provided students from their Cameroon and Kigali campuses with practical experience in the hospitality industry in Bahrain. This innovative internship programme aligns with Vatel’s goal to prepare future hospitality leaders for successful careers in the hotel and tourism industry by providing them with real-world and cross-cultural learning experiences. The programme’s adaptability and commitment have helped in overcoming logistical challenges that make it a strong candidate for the Educational Innovation Award.
How was the innovation planned?
Vatel’s existing global network, which is available internationally in over 30 countries, was leveraged to coordinate this innovative internship programme. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Vatel proactively reached out to contacts around the world, including Rwanda, to help place Vatel Bahrain students in their countries for internship opportunities. This was the first step which started a line of communication that led Vatel Rwanda to send their students for internships in Bahrain.
What were the challenges faced during implementation?
The intention was to have students from both Vatel Cameroon and Vatel Kinshasa. However, a virus outbreak in Kinshasa prevented the students from that campus from participating. Vatel pivoted and proceeded with the students from the Cameroon campus and one student from Kigali. This exhibited the programme’s flexibility to adapt to unforeseen challenges. Another challenge faced in this initiative was the Visa restrictions, which Vatel has successfully navigated to enable international students to join the programme, showcasing Vatel’s dedication to providing global learning opportunities to its students.
Give us a brief assessment of your results.
The internship programme received positive feedback from both the participating students as well as the host hotels. Notably, the students didn’t face any challenges in terms of adapting to their new environments or encountering cultural issues, due to Bahrain’s diverse culture and hospitable nature. The programme also facilitated valuable international networking opportunities and cross-border relationships which can lead to potential future collaborations. Additionally, the programme’s ease of cultural integration as the internship students reported feeling embraced within their Bahraini workplaces, is a testament to the country’s openness and hospitable nature. Building on the success of this programme, Vatel is already planning to expand this initiative by placing students from Vatel China at respective hotels in Bahrain, demonstrating Vatel’s commitment to providing diverse and global learning experiences.
In hindsight, what were the most valuable lessons learned while implementing the innovation? Could things have been done differently?
Vatel Bahrain has gained important insights into the procedures and policies involved in facilitating international student placements, specifically with the intricate visa requirements and employment contract regulations. This knowledge will be invaluable as Vatel looks to expand the programme.
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