For ten days in January 2011 KDU students in the BA Programme went to explore Switzerland, the home of the hospitality industry, on a study trip. This complimentary study trip is integral part of the degree programm and takes place every semester. Here is how they experienced the trip.
Written by: Marvin Fong, student, BA in International Hotel & Tourism Management
Photographs by: Yong Foh Kang, student, BA in International Hotel & Tourism Management
Starting off a new year and a new semester with a study trip to Lucerne, Switzerland was the best treat a student could ever have. The 21 hour long flights and transit to get there was exhausting but as we stepped out of the Zurich airport, the fresh and chilly winter breeze that greeted us blew away all the exhaustion and fatigue as excitement filled our hearts.
Students and Lecturers outside IMI University Centre
Lucerne is a city that is filled with history and heritage, so it was not surprising to see the many beautiful attractions the city had to offer. The sad but majestic Lion of Lucerne was a sight to behold, even before stepping into the grounds where it lay as the rock formation it was carved upon could be seen a distance away. The Chapel Bridge, that crosses the river Ruess, looked like it came out of a fairytale with its pretty flower-potted sides and the many graceful swans and ducks that swam in the clear waters.
Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
Switzerland is not only blessed with an abundance of breath-taking scenery, it is also blessed with secret magical healing qualities as well. We were told during Professor Hitchcock’s Swissness “lecture” that back in the day, he was a little child sickened with asthma, but he was miraculously healed after he moved to Switzerland with his family. His story was very much similar to the story of the little paralyzed girl who miraculously learnt to walk again after she visited her dear friend Heidi, the little orphan girl, at the Swiss mountains.
This trip, however, wasn’t just all fun and games as our main purpose for the trip was to carry out a research on a topic that was assigned to us in relation to the International Tourism Development subject. We were not reluctant when it came to completing our research as we had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the city of Lucerne and at the same time, having the chance to explore and see the many sights of the city.
Fun in the snow at Engelberg
At the foot of Mount Pilatus
At Rheinfall
One thing I have realized during the course of this trip to Switzerland was that our whole class has been knitted closer together in result of all the fellowship we had with all the time spent together. We have also bonded with the four lecturers, who came to watch over us during the trip, as they often joined us students during our leisure activities like a game of pool or foosball.
Photographer and AuthorWhen the day came for us to bid farewell to the beautiful city, most of us were devastated as the week went by so quickly. As the saying goes, “time flies when you are having fun”.
I, for one, enjoyed the time I have spent and I truly miss the city and the country. I am eternally grateful for being given this golden opportunity to visit Switzerland, all thanks to the wonderful bond between KDU University College and IMI University Centre. This is a trip I will never forget, even in the years to come.
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