On tour with Colin and Tim

Travelling with Colin Sheringham and Tim Hall, 15 Hospitality Management and Sport Management students were fortunate to travel to Vietnam as part of their studies late in 2014. The students visited the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) where they provided a presentation about life in Australia and life as a student at UWS, and worked in groups with UEH students to develop micro research projects on sport and hospitality.

The group visited the Vietnam's AFL team, the Vietnam Swans (opens in a new window). "This is an important hub for expat Australians, and they raise money to support an orphanage and support Learn to Swim Hoi An," says Tim. "As part of our visit, we also donated a signed GWS jersey to the Vietnam Swans which will be auctioned at their ANZAC charity match this year."

The students also conducted clinics on AFL with Vietnam institutions. Watch students take AFL to Danang University of Physical Education and Sport (opens in a new window), or watch them at the Ho Chi Minh Training Centre (opens in a new window).

The students also visited KOTO restaurant and STREETS International (opens in a new window), two organisations that assist disadvantaged youth in Vietnam.

You can read more about the adventures of Colin, Tim and the students in a couple of excerpts from their blogs below.

From Colin's blog: Happy Buddha (opens in a new window)

1 December – Behind the scenes
What does it take to make a five star hotel function? Or more particularly what does it take to make a five star hotel function, seemingly effortlessly with a strong sense of style and grace?

This morning the students were about to find out some of the secrets. A tour back of house at the Caravelle Hotel. I must admit that I enjoy these tours – for me they are a journey between two vastly different worlds, front and back of house.

First an introduction to the hotel from Bui Tein Dat, CHT Director of Human Resources. Then a huge surprise, the General Manager John Gardner and Nguyen Dong Hoa Deputy General Manager dropped in to talk with the students. I can now see why so many people I have spoken with in HCM preface a conversation about the Caravelle Hotel with the comment "The GM is a top bloke".

Here is the inspirational talk John presented quickly grabbed on the iPad. Watch video here.

Then a short talk on the hotel as a property (why Planning & Design is an important unit).

Then in the trusted hands of Pham Tri Tung, the Training Manger (he took the tour last year) and did a fantastic job.

From Tim's blog: Same, same, but different

7 December – STREET International & Neal Bermas

One of our stops in Hoi An is to the STREETS International (opens in a new window) restaurant. STREETS is a non profit organisation which sees disadvantaged youth undertake an 18 month training program in which they learn life skills, English and hospitality.

Tonight Mr Phuc from STREETS gave us an introduction and overview of STREETS and how they go about implementing their training programs.

We were then lucky enough to have Neal Bermas, the founder of STREETS, drop by after a flight from HCMC where STREETS had their first ever fund raising event. Literally straight from the plane Neal made time to talk with the students about STREETS and answered questions from the students.