This early time in 2010 by Bryen, Li Chi Sun

I just want to thank for IMI provided me a wonderful time during my studies in Switzerland and basic of m hospitality life.

After leaving Switzerland at 2004, I worked in various hospitality company in Hong Kong at the first working year and I found out what I really wanted to do. In 2006, I got a chance, I started my first butler job in one of the prestige Property "The Arch". I was a part of the opening team and assist the team to develop the butler service from Zero. My work was appreciated by the management and was promoted as one of the team leader in 2007.

 

There was a complicated time in 2007. I got a golden chance to work in Macau as a VIP Host in the International Marketing Department in Venetian Macau Limited, a company owned 2 big casinos, Sands Casino Macao and Venetian macao resort hotel. I felt sad to leave the arch and Hong Kong, but I am proud of being one of the opening team member of the second largest resort in the world. Work was not that easy in Casino in Macau, very challenging, but it was fun as well. I learned a lot of VIP service, attention to detail and my marketing skill as well.

Thanks for IMI again, giving me a opportunity to be one of the volunteer of House of Switzerland Beijing Olympic 2008. It was a amazing experience. It was nice to work with different nations as one team and spoke German everyday again. After 2008 Olympic, I was on move again. I started my new work as butler in Front office Department in Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay in Musandam Peninsula, Sultanate of Oman. It is my first experience in the Middle East. It surprises me that Omani people are extremely nice and the working environment in Six Senses is amazing. People is friendly, very very special and unique concept of SLOW LIFE of Six Senses. This is the best company I work for. I attended a lot training by the resort, such as Butler & Social Skill Training and Train the Trainer, and certifed as well. Now, I am one of the departmental trainer of the front office department.

Since few years working fo butler/VIP service. I learn, experience and see a lot happiness, sadness and unforgetable moment. Observing how much guest win or loss in the casino, having repeater guest in different part of the world, coordinating with different department to make the guest happy, working with many different people from all around the world, respecting each other and... everything can do..

When I look back what I have done, I really feel proud of being a student in IMI. I was trained from a boy without knowledge of hospitality to be a explorer. I feel now is the time for me to give knowledge to people, who like to be a part of hospitality. I am currently learning from the training Manager of Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay and conducting some presentation and training for my colleagues. It's like a new start, and I hope I can keep it well:)

Again, a wonderful new year for IMI!

warm regards from Musandam,

Bryen, Li Chi Sun

Here below some stories from earlier months for your reading pleasure:


Another successful IMI alumni as the assistant manager of Nsolo Bushcamp at Norman Carr Safaris in Zambia



"I figured it was probably about time I told you what I ended up doing after I graduated! SO at this very moment i'm sitting in an office in Mfuwe, Zambia. I got a job as assistant manager of Nsolo Bushcamp at Norman Carr Safaris, which I love. Basically I get to run the bushcamp and make it into my home, host guests, deal with camp logistics, all f&b things as well as help out with their HIV/AIDS awareness work and the Kapani School Project. I thoroughly enjoy it, and without doubt the skills i learnt at IMI have come in handy...even though the problems faced might not the average ones...elephants fighting with buffalos in camp, wild dogs chasing lions, solar power issues, charcoal coolers...the list goes on...it's all fun and games!"

- Priya


Student Kartik Kundalia Kirit, today proud dad of a son and successful owner two hotels in India, describes his pathway trough IMI in 2004, specifically his proudest moment in life in winning the PDP assignment:

    

"Well life took an about turn when I landed in Weggis, where the first year at IMI used to be held. And i was received by none other than Mr. Caldwell and it was his 1st year too. I was not in the good books of IMI in the first year. I had problems with everything right from my earring to my not shaving on working days. I simply was not used to being commanded since back in India I am the boss, it was tough to begin with. Then came a drastic change in my Intraining in Wengernalp near Jungraujoch, which changed everything .

My outlook towards life, towards people and towards.. yes you are right, even bosses. There were colleagues from all around the world and guests, there were even no TV at that place, so I had nothing to do, but talk with people understand them etc. and this place completely changed me. In Particular it was new for me to work those long working hours, where additionally I was just a trainee. But this is what this industry is all about; living and adjusting with people. After this experience I was soon back with a "bang" in my second year at IMI. I certainly showed I showed some improvements in my personal attitude towards people and got a good grade and certainly started to understand why IMI always emphasized on the integration of students with each other. In retrospective I just admire IMI's rule of group assignments in random groups where one cannot select its members... that was clearly the best part of group assignments. Next Paid Pracical I worked as a housekeeping supervisor with the Marriot Zurich. During the third semester my defining moment was in EDP. We had an assignment and the call for the BEST was so close, that even Mr. Pfeiffer died of anticipation on who would be the first and who second. Well my group won this EDP and I am not exaggerating, this still counts to the happiest moments of my life, in having achieved something, which I had not done before. we beat them my 2marks only. The 4th and final semester I was ready to give my best shot, having one single, I decided just to go for it.