Building Riches Beyond the Classroom

When I look at the fantastic students here at AIHM, I see a unique opportunity to build something truly special—a close-knit community, a culture of collaboration and a welcoming home where everyone has a place. As one of the smallest higher education institutes in Bangkok, with fewer than 200 students, we’re in a rare position to shape a vibrant, lasting culture from the ground up, a space where every voice truly matters. And in such a bustling, cosmopolitan city like Bangkok, this kind of close connection is all the more valuable. 

As the Head of Student Engagement, I have the joy of working closely with the young people who have chosen AIHM as the launchpad for their futures. AIHM is a highly focused institute, unique in the way it provides an intensive academic and hands-on business education with a special focus on the hospitality industry. Our students share similar dreams, but they come from a wide variety of backgrounds and, of course, have a diversity of passions and interests in and outside their academic and career pursuits.  

The ‘university experience’ is a formative one. It can shape the trajectory of our adult lives. It’s a time when we forge relationships that might last a lifetime. These years are times when we explore, face new challenges, solidify our values, discover new things about the world and about ourselves, and hopefully have a lot of fun in the process. 

Today, I’d like to talk specifically about this special opportunity we have to shape the AIHM community now and for the cohorts of students to come. What is the Student Enrichment Programme at AIHM? How do we create a wealth of formative experiences for each other? How are AIHM’s students empowered to take a leading role in process? 

Cultivating Connections That Last 

With such an intimate group, each student at AIHM has the chance to leave a mark, to be part of shaping a vibrant, evolving community. One vital pillar of this is the Student Enrichment Programme. All AIHM students spend two hours every Wednesday afternoon engaging with each other in one of the student-designed clubs. 

This programme is designed by students, for students, through the guiding hands of the Student Committee. They don’t just participate; they take ownership. They’re the ones managing budgets, brainstorming events, and planning activities, from our vibrant Art Club—where students show off their creativity in mediums from abstract painting to crochet and knitting— to our Newsletter Club dedicated to keeping the student body informed with feature articles written for students by students. The selection of clubs evolves each year in response to student interest and with the direction of the student sub-committees. 

Our Wednesday afternoon enrichment activities are a chance to dive into experiences that enrich lives beyond just academics, strengthening the bonds of friendship and providing those memorable moments that make university life unforgettable. While it’s true that ‘mandatory’ extracurricular participation is an uncommon university requirement, the enrichment activities play an important role in fostering community and ensuring students make the connections that may come more naturally at schools with thousands of attendees. I often point out to our students, “You have to spend two hours each week doing something you love with people who might just become lifelong friends. That’s a ‘requirement’—how lucky are we?” 

We are building a culture from scratch here, and it’s one where students don’t just study hospitality; they live it. They learn to care for others by creating a welcoming, supportive environment among their peers. The Student Committee has done a phenomenal job bringing this vision to life, even fundraising through their own initiatives, like the Kitchen Club or the upcoming AIHM Café. Together, we’re building something sustainable and deeply meaningful—a small but mighty community within the massive metropolis of Bangkok. 

A Wealth of Experiences Beyond Academics 

Beyond study and career prep, AIHM cares deeply about enriching each student’s life experience. Here, students can explore their passions, and that sense of curiosity and exploration is key. Whether it’s performing on stage with our student band, trying their hand at painting, or planning student parties and events, these activities give students a chance to dive into new interests or deepen existing ones. 

We also invite special guests to campus, often at students’ requests. Professionals join us to to discuss everything from managing stress to tips for charting out a rewarding career, with invitees such as renowned Chef Daniel Green. Other times, we venture out on student trips, exploring what Bangkok and Thailand have to offer. My role is to help students fulfill their dreams. Much of what I do is listening to students’ desires and needs, and then giving them the opportunities and support to achieve and experience them. 

One of my favourite parts of the job is watching the new friendships that form as students meet others who share their passions. We aren’t just fostering a classroom experience; we’re building a network of future leaders in hospitality. And being in such a small, new community makes this both a challenge and a gift—every student has the chance to be known, to be seen and to connect. 

An Investment in Community 

Our approach may be unique, but it’s essential. Making student enrichment a mandatory part of the AIHM curriculum is, I believe, an investment in our students’ lives, both personally and professionally. The two hours of enrichment clubs each week are for them to explore, connect, and recharge, which is vital to a balanced life. This, too, is hospitality in action—creating a space where everyone feels welcomed, valued and connected. Regardless of their varying backgrounds, irrespective of economic differences, students are able to come together and celebrate their interests.  

At AIHM, we’re building a community that goes beyond a degree programme. We’re creating a network of relationships, a sense of belonging and a culture that I believe will enrich our students’ lives long after they’ve graduated. It’s exciting to think about where this journey will lead, not just for our students, but for all of us. Together, we’re crafting a legacy of memories, connections and enrichment—riches that can’t be measured by any grade or diploma but will remain with our students for a lifetime. 

Talk to AIHM Students 

AIHM students enjoy a wealth of experiences in and outside the classroom. Chat to them directly to hear about the AIHM community in their own words. 

Our AIHM Student Ambassadors are ready to answer all your questions and give you the inside scoop on life at AIHM. Chat with them now.