With lawyers for parents, it would seem natural for Christopher Menon, 27, to follow in their footsteps.
Menon, whose father is a well-respected figure in the Singapore legal sector, was thinking of reading law at New York University in the United States when he chose EHL Hospitality Business School (formerly known as Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne), a Swiss hospitality school. This idea was planted after meeting EHL reps at St Joseph Institute International in Singapore, where he was completing his International Baccalaureate.
Indonesian Gabriella Brookfield, whose father Charles is the founder and chairman of Archipelago International, one of Southeast Asia's largest privately owned hospitality management companies, had her eye on a law degree at King's College London in the United Kingdom when she decided on EHL instead. Brookfield has just completed her second year of undergraduate studies at EHL..
Menon and Brookfield are two of a growing number of Asian students who have chosen to go to EHL in recent years.
Although the school only started to keep official records of the students' nationalities from 2018 (the number has grown by 44 per cent in 2024), the school and EHL Group CEO Markus Venzin confirm that interest and enrolment from Asia have increased steadily even before that.
MEMBER OF AN ELITE CLUB
"It seems there is a long-held perception among Asian families that studying in a hospitality school prepares one for a frontline job in a hotel or a waitressing career but this is changing," shares Venzin. "More than 50 per cent of our students go on to have successful careers in non-hospitality industries like banking, consulting and luxury brand management," says Venzin, whose team is reaching out to overseas markets apart from traditional ones like France and Switzerland about what a Bachelors of Science in International Hospitality entails.
This story is from the September 2024 edition of Prestige Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2024 edition of Prestige Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Double Take
Although somewhat dismissed by the contemporary art world as gimmicky, works that incorporate optical illusions remain immensely popular with the general public. Perhaps it speaks to our inherent need for something slightly magical in our everyday lives.
Plugged Into Wealth
Fintech advocate Carney Mak is bullish on disruptive technologies, but preaches deep understanding of business models before diving in.
Going for Green
SIMON ROGAN's visionary approach of cooking in tune with nature is inspiring chefs in Asia to be more sustainable.
TABLES TURNED
They could have their pick of the best schools, but more young super achievers from Asia are going to a hotel academy a choice they believe opens up more doors.
PRECIOUS HISTORY
Cleef Arpel TACHA VASSILTCHIKOV res her insights the jewellery house Peers preserving its patrimony and Heritage.
MARKS OF DISTINCTION
A clasp-free necklace that could be easily put on by the wearer, without assistance.
Colours of the Season
Thanks to K-pop stars, analysing colours to personalise make-up has surged, with theslategs service available from the boutique of Korean. brity make-up artist JUNG SAEM MOOL.
MAKING OF AN OPUS
In Hermes’ Barénia, in-house perfumer CHRISTINE NAGEL has realised a decade-long dream that harks back to her childhood stories.
Everywhere Care
Serums from homegrown skincare brand Blé de Fonty target more than just the face.
Pucker Up
Lip moisturisers are essential in Singapore’s air-conditioned environment. We share our personal favourites and introduce lip care that go the distance.
