1 English Medium Degree Program in Vaasa University of Applied Sciences Case:Degree Program in Hotel and Restaurant Business Elina Martin 11 September 2007

2 Hotel and Restaurant Business (HB) Since 1996 Intake 22 (autumn 2008) Study time 3½ years 210 cr (ECTS) Degree: Bachelor of Hospitality Management

3 Multi-cultural group Almost 50 % of students come from abroad Brazil, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Japan, Kenya, China, Lithuania, Nepal, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Russia, Vietnam and Finland

4 Structure of studies ”Theory and practice in good balance” Basic studies: business economics, professional studies, languages (110 cr) Specialised professional studies: Tourism Management or Restaurant Management studies (45 cr)

5 Structure of studies Tourism management: future-oriented expertise, practical project studies Restaurant management: combination of food and restaurant studies Optional studies (10 cr) Practical training (30 cr) Thesis (15 cr)

6 Strengths of HB programme Broad base of studies Close contact to small and medium-sized companies via Company Clinic ( students, under the guidance of teachers, perform research and development assignments for companieswww.yritysklinikka.com –Updating of business plans –Marketing plans –Competitor analysis –Customer satisfaction surveys

7 Strengths of HB programme Emphasis on business studies –Business Factory Studies abroad –Asian Tourism and Hospitality Management 15 cr –Partner universities abroad Virtual studies: HB 26 cr

8 Future Careers Experts, managing and developing positions or entrepreneurs Hotels, restaurants, food supplying industries National and international tourism organisations, travel agencies, tourism companies, expert organisations within tourism industry

9 Studying in English English is foreign language to all students Contents is the main issue, language skills improve besides Lessons interactive, small grammar mistakes occur, but it is most important to be understood Also English language is studied: emphasis on writing and speaking skills

10 Experiences on multicultural groups ”Small is beautiful” Good team spirit is important Students learn from cultural diversity Good discussions: topic of the lesson + cultural differences Different temperaments are the spice of multi-cultural groups Cultural collisions occur

11 Bachelors of Hospitality Management Our aim is to educate professionals with good command of English and understanding of cultural differences