If you’re reading this post, you’re probably exploring your options for the future. Choosing a university is one of the most exciting and important decisions you’ll ever make. Where will you go? What will your university experience look like? Where do you want it to lead you?
You might be dreaming of a life that takes you around the world. If so, seeking a career in the hospitality and travel industries stands out as a great option. But how do you break into global hospitality and travel and turn it from a personal passion into a career?
Please Mind the Gap: Thailand Beyond the Gap Year
Thailand is a top pick for a gap year experience. Young people from all over the world think of it as a place for an exciting escape before diving into their university life. Consider the alternative though. What if Thailand were your university experience?
If you’re looking for a career that will allow you to travel the world for a lifetime, earning a hospitality management degree in Thailand can be an excellent choice. AIHM’s international students have discovered this and are ready to share their personal stories and insights with you. Just a few years—or even months—ago, they were in the same position you’re in now.
Thailand attracts tens of millions of visitors every year. They explore the country’s islands and highlands, the cosmopolitan streets of Bangkok, countryside landscapes of endless green rice paddies, and of course the world-famous cuisine. From kayaking the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman Coast to dancing the night away at full moon parties in the Gulf of Thailand, there’s a treasure trove of things to do and experience.
On top of this, the country’s amazing hotels and resorts routinely top the world’s-best lists. Given this backdrop, it’s no surprise that Thailand is also a fantastic place to study hospitality management.
Why Study Hospitality Management in Thailand at AIHM
In recent years, new hotel management programmes and dedicated hospitality schools have been popping up in Thailand, especially in the capital city of Bangkok. Hospitality management students here enjoy one of the world’s most dynamic tourist destinations as their extended classroom. The hotel and resort industry in Thailand is booming. The country is a creative playground for hotel design, service and experience innovators—so inspiration abounds.
Bangkok is home to the global headquarters of international hotel and resort management companies such as Minor Hotels, as well as a number of regional headquarters. The city is one of the foremost hubs in the worldwide travel business. Beyond this, Thailand is a destination where opportunities for talented hotel management professionals are numerous. It’s a place that makes and transforms careers. And it’s a pretty spectacular place to live.
Set within an actual hotel on the banks of the majestic Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management (AIHM) attracts students from around the world who come to Thailand to explore their passions, launch their careers and begin making the connections that will power their future successes. A relatively new school, AIHM is already making a name for itself by building a small but impressive student body of highly motivated global students and offering them learning opportunities available nowhere else.
In AIHM’s classrooms, lecturers recruited from the world’s top hotel management schools teach students a curriculum developed in academic association with Switzerland’s prestigious Les Roches hospitality school. AIHM’s students then step outside the classroom and immediately put what they’ve learned into practice.
Picture Your Experience: Learn About Studying in Thailand from AIHM’s Student Ambassadors
AIHM’s Student Ambassadors are current students earning their Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Global Hospitality Management. The Ambassadors include local students from Thailand ready to share their local expertise as well as international students from places like Dubai, the Maldives, Cambodia, Myanmar and Russia.
Want to know why they believe AIHM is exceptional place to study the hospitality business? Our Student Ambassadors collaborated to produce a video to share their personal viewpoints. In this student-led project, the Ambassadors worked together to develop the script, film with the videographer and finalise the post-production. Enjoy their video below!
International Students on the AIHM Experience
What’s it like to study at AIHM as an international student? Three of AIHM’s current students share their experiences below. Learn about their experiences and advice for prospective students.
Thank you to Zhasmin Zhumabek from Kazakhstan, Mariyam Maya from the Maldives and Melissa So from Cambodia for providing your insights on studying in Thailand and at AIHM!
What inspired you to study in Thailand and specifically at AIHM?
Zhasmin: Before joining AIHM, I had been living in Bangkok for a year and fell in love with Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscape. When I attended one of the Open Days, I was impressed by AIHM’s dedication to excellence in hospitality education. Moreover, AIHM offers practical exposure and internship opportunities at top-notch hotels, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Mariyam: Working in the hospitality industry requires us to interact with people from various cultural backgrounds. Thailand is well known for its amazing hospitality and as a significant cultural melting pot, hence I saw this as a great opportunity to gain cultural awareness and learn to adapt to people from different cultural backgrounds. Moreover, what inspired me to join AIHM was its affiliation with Minor Hotels and Les Roches, which allows students of AIHM to benefit from the curriculum of one the top hospitality business schools worldwide and have access to Minor Hotels’ diverse portfolio.
Melissa: I was inspired to study hospitality in Thailand because it’s one of the world’s top tourist destinations, known for its culture, landscapes, and hospitality. Among the various institutions available, I specifically chose to study at AIHM because of its unique incorporation of the Swiss curriculum to its classes, allowing for theory to be turned into practice. AIHM also opens opportunities to develop hands-on and practical experiences within the hospitality industry, work with experienced individuals in the industry and build connections with them.
How has studying hospitality in Thailand enhanced your cultural understanding and global perspective?
Zhasmin: Interacting with students from various countries at AIHM broadened my horizons and showcased that diversity is a crucial aspect in teamwork. Since Thailand is a major tourist destination, I’ve been able to connect with people from all over the world.
Mariyam: You are exposed to a variety of cultures while studying in Thailand, not simply Thai culture. People from all around the world are all around you. At AIHM, we have students from a variety of nations, including Thailand, Myanmar, India, Russia, France and many more. I've been able to expand my comfort zone and broaden my awareness of cultural differences. For example, I’ve discovered and become aware of subtle differences in gestures, hierarchy and interpersonal dynamics.
Have you had opportunities for internships or practical experiences related to your hospitality studies? How did these experiences contribute to your learning and professional growth?
Melissa: I had the opportunity to complete my first internship in the Front Office Department at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park. This experience has not only helped me in learning more about the hospitality industry as a whole but also helped me develop a lot more confidence in myself. With the support of my team, I was able to build on many skills including communication, teamwork and customer service.
Mariyam: I recently had the opportunity to work as a Sales and Marketing Intern at a cluster property in the Maldives. Throughout my internship, I was able to use the academic knowledge I had acquired throughout my first two semesters at AIHM. Despite the fact that I had never worked in sales or marketing, I knew a lot about the field and was familiar with many of the responsibilities and terms that were involved. This experience enabled me to learn about different career opportunities available within the industry.
In your opinion, what advice would you give to international students considering studying hospitality at AIHM and in Thailand?
Melissa: My advice would be to connect with the current students. We have Student Ambassadors who are ready to answer any questions and provide support. My second piece of advice is to embrace the opportunity. Studying abroad offers opportunities for personal growth, deepens cultural understanding and builds lifelong memories. Especially at AIHM, you will feel like a part of our family. Everyone here is very encouraging, supportive and always ready to help you with anything.
Zhasmin: Beyond your studies at AIHM, you should explore Thailand’s beautiful destinations and landscapes. Travelling within the country will allow you to appreciate the country’s diversity and hospitality offerings.
Mariyam: It might seem a bit intimidating to move away from home to a completely unfamiliar country. My advice would be to take a leap of faith and take on the challenge. If you are passionate about building a career in the hospitality industry, it is too great of an opportunity to lose. At AIHM, you will get to experience a different learning environment that is more student-focused, where academic and practical learning go hand in hand. There is an amazing team of management and lecturers here to support you and prepare you for the real working environment.
Explore the World with AIHM
AIHM opens doors to a world of opportunities. We’re a small, extremely dedicated community for students with the talent and passion to create the global hospitality industry’s next innovations and to lead its teams into exciting new territory.
Could AIHM be right for you? Talk with our Student Ambassadors now to find out.