Success story of the month
by Catherine Gichuki
Thanks to IMI
If anyone could have told me five years ago that I would go to IMI University Centre in Switzerland to do my Masters Degree, I would have probably not believed them!
Coming from a humble family background in the Central Province of Kenya near a small city called Nyeri, I am the eldest child of the Gichuki family of seven. I began my hospitality career many years ago at Kibondeni College in Nairobi, since I always had a passion and attraction towards this industry.
While I was working in a hotel in Dubai about two years ago, I decided to upgrade my education to be in line with the eminent growth of the hotel industry as well as catch up with the advanced technological developments that are changing rapidly and progressively all over the world. That was the reason which made me frequently surf the internet until I came across IMI as the best University for hotel studies in Switzerland, then I made up my mind to go there.
IMI is located in a quiet and beautiful, student friendly environment, surrounded by breathtaking lakes and mountains. Riding along Kastanienbaum Road, the sweet fresh air and roving cows across the well kept lawns often reminded me of my grandmother’s farm back in Kenya. As a matter of fact, there were familiar smells and cow bell sounds which were heard from the bells dangling around their necks when they walked across the green smooth grass, cling clang, cling clang.
IMI became my second home when I moved to Luzern last summer. The professors of the University were friendly and helpful too. I managed to get a partial scholarship with the assistance of the Student Board of Directors and Mr. Caldwell’s intercession. Everything worked out really well for me; even with the challenges I had of sitting in a classroom after many years, I can say that I owe it all to all the lecturers who supported me tirelessly day after day.
I graduated on 15th of December 2010 with a Masters in International Hospitality Management which was a great achievement.
I am now happily doing my Hotel Management internship program at The JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana. With a capacity of 1005 rooms with 55 conference rooms and 3 beautiful restaurants named Osterio Pronto, High Velocity and Tavern the hotel is the largest JW Marriott in the world. I work at the Executive Lounge on the 31st floor which is part of the Front Office Department. We cater for the Premium and Platinum VIP guests of the hotel offering them breakfast service, snacks, hors d’voures, and a bar service. We also have a small business centre and internet service for them. We try to make it more personalized and exclusive to suit their needs as most of them are business guests.
I want to convey my special thanks to Mr. Burki, Mr. Hitchcock, Mr. Benetatos, Mr. Lukas O’Ritzel, Ms. Katrin , Ms.Docherty and Ms. Musu who all supported me more directly. I would like to mention each of the lecturers, since they were all supportive in many different ways in which they all contributed that are priceless. I owe what I am and what I will become to them all.
Knowing that this is a journey that I have decided to embark on, I would like to encourage all the youth of Africa that everything is possible for those who are determined to make it! It does not matter if you are at the beginning of your career or you are in the middle of it; always aim higher taking one day at a time
