A real-life hospitality lesson

Students in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at the High School for Enterprise Business and Technology in Brooklyn, N.Y., aren’t just learning about the industry, they’re living it.

And after a recent trip to The Hague, Netherlands, it sounds like some of them may be looking to live it in the long-term.

I have to say, as a former education reporter for a local newspaper, I love hearing about school programs that really captivate students and prepare them for a future career. I think too often we see school districts teach the kids X, Y, Z and then wish them luck on their ways to college, technical school or a first job. But, honestly, did you really know what you wanted to do with your life at 16?

With programs like AOHT, which can be found at more than 110 high schools across the country, some students might have a better chance of figuring that out.

In this case, three members of the school’s faculty took students across the big drink to help them develop a broader perspective and knowledge of international travel and tourism.

“Our students not only get a general education but they learn about the hospitality and tourism industries at the same time,” said Regina Flannery, director of the New York AOHT program, in a press release. “Part of our focus in making this education relevant is having the students interact in the real world of hospitality. That’s why internships and job shadowing events are such a large part of our program. These international trips show our students the importance of the hospitality industry in not just this country but the world.”

While they were there, the students also got to interact with students of the Mondrian College of International Tourism & Leisure Management and talk about the industry. And I’m willing to bet they got a fair amount of information on what being in hospitality school is all about and may be closer to deciding on that same path.

Could these be your future employees? I think it's a pretty good looking bunch.