At least one business field trip is included in all our academic curricula. We are big believers in the merits of providing this immersive industry exposure, but what do the students themselves think? After a recent series of trips across several programs, we asked a participant of each one to give their thoughts. We begin with Master’s in Hospitality, Entrepreneurship and Innovation student Chikita Giovany Tanati…

For me, the field trip is one of the primary advantages of the Master’s program at Glion. I had the opportunity to visit Marrakech, Morocco, in North Africa for five days and it was a greatly valuable experience, which helped me bridge the divide between the theories I had studied in class and real-world business practices.

And here’s an important tip for other field trippers. Although each excursion is meticulously planned by the school, personal preparation is also crucial – especially for a student like me who has never participated in a business field trip and was embarking on my first voyage to the region.

I was able to feel more prepared, enthusiastic, and respectful toward the places we were visiting by reviewing the itinerary, familiarizing myself with the locations we would visit, understanding the leaders we were scheduled to meet, and even learning about the weather, customs, norms, and culture.

What we did in Morocco

The field trip included lodging at a luxury 5-star palace, which is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, and at White Camel, a luxury camp located in the tranquil Agafay Desert.

White Camel in particular made a big impression on me. The inventive and sophisticated way they packaged the natural beauty and cultural richness astounded me. White Camel blends contemporary conveniences like air conditioning and private restrooms in traditionally furnished Berber tents. Beautiful indoor and outdoor eating places, and a pool, were among the other amenities. Located in the middle of the Agafay Desert, these amenities seem wonderful.

For me, White Camel achieves the ideal balance between luxury and exploration. During my stay and investigation, I came to realize that our environment, our proud culture, and the preservation of traditions are the sources of innovation in the tourism industry.

Our excursion itinerary included renowned hotels such as Royal Mansour and Hotel El Fenn, plus Farasha Farmhouse, a restaurant and inn that integrates contemporary agritourism concepts with traditional organic agricultural systems.

We were also welcomed at the Amal Training Center, a social entrepreneurial venture that is dedicated to empowering women in the hospitality industry and creating job opportunities, as well as the technology university Cité de l’Innovation & Startup Incubator.

Making the connection

Discussing and interacting with industry people helps make the connection between academic topics and practical applications. For example, as I am doing an F&B course, my interactions with White Camel Agafay, Farasha Farmhouse and the Amal Training Center gave me great opportunities to watch “Farm to Fork” in action, while I also learned a lot about sustainability and ethics in tourism at Farasha Farmhouse.

The itinerary also encompassed meetings with industry professionals, as well as making time for us to enjoy local tourist attractions. Each activity was meticulously crafted to ensure that I gained a thorough understanding of the industry and current trends. I found every aspect of the journey to be immensely enjoyable. Observing the situation firsthand provided me with a more profound understanding and novel concepts regarding the creativity of luxury hotels, which are both traditional and innovative in their service, thereby generating distinctive and captivating experiences within the tourism industry.

A visit with purpose

These trips are highly interactive and participatory. Not only did I get to talk to speakers from the hotel business at each visit, I also got to know the employees. The trends, difficulties, and best practices in the sector were illuminated for me by these encounters. In addition, I had the opportunity to hear from seasoned professionals about discovering one’s life purpose, navigating one’s job, and advancing one’s career goals.

That process reached its zenith with our visit to Amal Training. In addition to providing invaluable insights into the ways in which Marrakech’s entrepreneurial ecosystem fosters the creation and launch of cutting-edge hospitality businesses, my visit was meaningful because it allowed me to see firsthand how this organization empowers women to break out of their comfort zones.

In my view, Amal is more than a program; it is a driving force behind women achieving economic autonomy. This is of the utmost importance in the modern day, since their all-encompassing training programs not only improve technical abilities but also connect students with experienced chefs who can serve as mentors and provide constant assistance, opening doors to exciting career opportunities.

My trip to Amal was enlightening since its goals and principles are congruent with my own. Through a partnership between the Indonesian Ministry of Finance and Plan International Indonesia, I established Mama’s Noken in 2020 to provide financial and mentoring assistance to young married women who are currently without jobs. I also became a member of Sa Perempuan Papua, an online group whose mission is to provide a welcoming environment for women of Papuan descent. This experience highlighted the significance of a nurturing environment in enabling the achievement and maintenance of entrepreneurial endeavors within the hotel industry.

I feel that my visit to Amal and the genuine conversations I had with the staff and leaders there have helped me to better comprehend my life’s purpose. Once my studies at Glion are over, I want to go back to Papua, where I can help develop communities and provide Papuan women the tools they need to succeed in the tourist business, so they can find better jobs.

Internship opportunities

Right now, I’m in the middle of my first semester, but after next semester I’ll get the chance to intern. Thanks to the business cards and LinkedIn links I received on the field trip, I was able to expand my professional network. I learned a lot that will help me decide which of the locations we visited may be best for my internship. What a priceless gem!

Furthermore, I was able to better prepare for future leadership positions in the corporate sector by getting to know my classmates in more depth during the trip.

A little downtime… with camels!

A camel excursion (see main photo) in Marrakech was my choice of leisure activity on the fourth day of the trip, which was designated for leisure activities following three intensive days of visits. I was ecstatic about this excursion, as I had never previously ridden a camel. This activity not only immersed me in the rich and exotic history and culture of Marrakech, but also evoked memories of stories or films about ancient traders traversing the desert.

As the sun set over the incredible desert expanse, I relished the breathtaking natural landscape. The soothing and rhythmic movement of the camel excursion provided a calming and meditative experience, which helped to soothe my mind. Riding a camel was an unforgettable, extraordinary, and distinctive experience. Camel trekking should be included in your itinerary for a visit to Marrakech. I assure you that you will not be disappointed!

Conclusion

This business field trip has enhanced my education and motivated me to pursue my goals. I acquired the knowledge that it is crucial to become a leader who is responsible for the environment and who values, revitalizes, and sustains culture and tradition. In addition, I acquired the ability to appreciate the cultural experiences that a country has to offer, to unwind, and to express gratitude for these opportunities. Thank you, Glion!