FILIPINO hospitality management and culinary arts students and graduates now have new opportunities to participate in internship and training programs at luxury hotels and restaurants in Hawaii, California, and Florida in the USA.
The initiative was made possible with the collaboration between Placement International (PI) and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) through their mutual pursuit of molding the next generation of globally competitive industry leaders.
PI is a global exchange organization that connects students and graduates from hospitality management and culinary universities with internship and training prospects at high-end hotels and restaurants.
The alliance was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PI represented by CEO Thomas Riveyran and Business and Partnership Development Sherrinah Cuenca, as well as DLS-CSB’s Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Marco Lacson and Dr. Maria Paz Castro, who serves as dean of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM).
Among those present were Placement Specialist Day Ann Moreno of PI, alongside Director Sherlo Reyes of the Benilde Center for External Linkages, Linkages Specialist Jane Paula Roxas, Global Mobility Officer Gowri Nainani, Culinary Arts Management Chairperson Chef Jester Arellano, International Hospitality Management Chairperson Juan Paolo Sumera, and Assistant Professor Dr. Lhoree Valerio.
Partnership realized
IN her opening remarks, Castro expressed her excitement to realize the discussions with PI: ‘It is finally happening…We are appreciative of your efforts to accommodate our special requests for our students.’
‘It has been many years since we wanted to have a partnership with Benilde,’ Riveyran likewise shared. ‘It is such an honor to finally get to that point, and we assure that we will do everything in our power to do the best delivery possible.’
With the collaboration, Benildeans will be granted access to placement opportunities at three high-end properties that will equip them with practical experience, as well as expose them to business practices in culturally diverse settings and the professional standards of other countries.
The partner properties feature the world-class Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, California.
The interns will be immersed in high-level service standards in a globally recognized environment at an oceanfront resort known for its premium guest experience.
Likewise included is the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai. Set in one of Hawaii’s most beautiful natural landscapes, this sustainable luxury destination offers participants unique training opportunities in eco-conscious hospitality and operations.
Completing the list is the Riviera Dining Group in Miami, Florida. It is known for its roster of iconic dining destinations which offer elevated Mediterranean cuisine and premium guest experiences-ideal learning ground for those who wish to develop their skills in a fast-paced setting aligned with international standards.
Comprehensive support
APART from placement services, PI will also offer comprehensive support in securing appropriate visas, pre-departure orientation and counselling sessions, assistance in searching for suitable housing, guidance on tax refund procedures, and emergency support during the program, when applicable, to ensure a seamless global experience.
PI likewise aims to establish dedicated partnerships with the properties to enable the college to send larger groups of students.
Benilde’s SHRIM is the first and only hotel school in the Philippines to be awarded a Level IV accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities or PAASCU. It is also one of the few schools that has been conferred as a Center for Excellence in Hotel and Restaurant Management by the Commission on Higher Education or CHED.