A group of students from the LYIT School of Tourism students flew to Nice recently to gain valuable work experience.  This is part of a new bi-lateral arrangement for work abroad opportunities which LYIT has arranged for hospitality and culinary arts students with a partner college in Sisteron, France.  They were accompanied by Eloise McGinty, Lecturer in French, and Mairead O’Kane, Student Services Co-ordinator. 

James Howard, a second year student of Culinary Arts will be working in the five star hotel - Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & Spa - in the picturesque Alpes de Haute Provence region.  “I am delighted with my placement.  It will give me an excellent opportunity to experience not only French cuisine and culture, but also give me an opportunity to challenge myself by working in an environment where I have to speak French”.   James is the one of the seven that will be working in France.  He is confident that his previous experience in Harvey’s Point Hotel will help him during his French experience.

Ciarán ó hAnnracháin, Head of Department of Hospitality and Tourism, emphasises the importance of experience abroad for students.  “There are many distinct advantages for students working abroad for a semester.   It provides a unique experience for students, but also challenges them to become independent, mature adults.  Our colleagues in Sisteron will help and support our LYIT students during their placement.  LYIT has been hosting students from Sisteron for a number of years now, and our on-going relationship provides an excellent basis for us to develop our own international work programme.  The students are aided by Erasmus grants aimed at encouraging European mobility of students for work placements and study.  All School of Tourism programmes now include a work placement or study abroad opportunity reflecting best practice in international higher education and we will be extending these opportunities in the future”.

LYIT has recently refreshed its curriculum to reflect leading standards in each field.  This has resulted in an exciting new range of programmes, particularly in the areas of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts.  Unique programmes include Resort Management and an Honours Degree in Culinary Arts, building on the strong tradition of chef training and education in Killybegs for over forty years.  The School of Tourism has been in operation in Killybegs since 1969 and is regarded as a centre of excellence in training and educating people for careers in the broader tourism industry.

For information on the hospitality, tourism and culinary arts programmes on offer at the LYIT School of Tourism visit www.lyit.ie/courses/

Caption: LYIT School of Tourism students arrive in Nice as part of work placement programme. The students are pictured with LYIT staff member Mairead O’Kane (right): Caitriona Hoey, Sean Keogh, Jamie Skelly, Aisling Rooney, Elina Aleksandrova, Caroline Marley, and James Howard.