Three years ago Aisling Tyndall packed up her life in New Jersey and moved across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland to attend the Shannon College of Hotel Management. In this blog she shares five reasons why it was such a great choice…
I was told by literally all of my friends that I was crazy for making such dramatic college choices, however my decision didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary. Some of my friends were attending universities 6 hours away by car, I just happened to be 6 hours away by plane. Arriving at Shannon College by myself was nerve-racking but during my first semester, I immersed myself in all that Shannon had to offer, academically and socially. From the friends I’ve made, to the places I’ve been able to explore, I can easily say that choosing Shannon College was the best decision I made. I have put together a list of five key reasons as to why everyone should consider Shannon College!
1. Shannon family
The idea of the ‘Shannon family’ was instilled into our heads from day one, but no one could anticipate how much of a family we would all become. Everyone became so close within the first month of arriving at college, and it hasn’t changed in three years. The Shannon family is a group of people you can always depend on and know will be there for you. There is always someone to talk to, study with or just chill out and have a cup of tea with. No one ever feels alone or lonely. It’s a real friends-for-life camaraderie, who would want to miss out on something like that?
“Students have the chance to become even more independent and learn first hand what is expected in the industry, and the college prepares us for that 100% during our practical training in first year.”
2. Great location
Shannon College is located in the west of Ireland, in County Clare. Clare is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, let along one of the top spots in Ireland. It is filled with history, culture, great food and people. The college is located just 20 minutes from Limerick city, and 3 hours from Dublin which are great places to socialise with friends and family members that come to visit. The college campus is located within the grounds of Shannon International Airport so for internationals like myself, traveling home during holidays has never been easier!
3. Education
The education style of Shannon College is different to most colleges but it’s the reason why everyone loves it so much. Students study on campus in Shannon for at least two years during their course. For the other two and a half years, students get the opportunity to work in hotels in completely new countries! For example, during my second year at Shannon College I was lucky enough to be placed at The Savoy in London for a year, an experience that changed my life for the better. Students have the chance to become even more independent and learn first hand what is expected in the industry, and the college prepares us for that 100% during our practical training in first year. Any student who has an interest in hospitality should consider Shannon College for their choice course.
“We are taught from the ground up in culinary, restaurant, front office and accommodation services and feel prepared before going on placement.”
4. College atmosphere
Understandably, some people have the idea that Shannon College doesn’t feel like a “real college”. Sure, we wear uniforms, there’s not too many of us, and are studying a very specific course, but since being here, I have never once felt that I wasn’t getting the full college experience. The college experience can be defined as “a rite of passage, a time to grow up, a time to meet new people, a time to discover your passion.” It is also described as “the best time of your life”. You will have housemates, you will join clubs and societies, go to the annual dress dance, get a great education, party for days on end, have classes, learn what you want to be when you grow up and what friends you want to have with you when you do that, and you learn to learn to become your own person! The best part is, because Shannon College is so small, you get to experience college and know everyones name at the same time, which is something not many other students can say.
5. Top five in Europe
Living in Europe is an amazing experience on its own but to be able to say I attend one of the top universities for Hotel Management? Well, thats an opportunity like no other. The education students receive at Shannon College is incomparable to other universities. Students are thrown into the deep end straight away and learn exactly what skills are needed to survive in the industry. First year especially is a real taste for what is expected from us on placement. We are taught from the ground up in culinary, restaurant, front office and accommodation services and feel prepared before going on placement. It’s a teaching method that most colleges don’t use, but it is the reason why we are one of the top five colleges in Europe, why we have 100% employment on graduation day, and why so many top hotel managers are produced from the college. So come to Shannon College!