Georgian’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation differentiates itself from other hospitality programs in Ontario by offering a study abroad program.

Last April, 33 Georgian students spent 11 days in Strasbourg, France, honing their hospitality skills and travelling to four countries to broaden their awareness of the European hospitality industry. They were accompanied by two faculty members.

The program was developed in tandem with the Customized Educational Programs Abroad (CEPA), a German-based company that specializes in university-level academic study abroad programs and summer and semester direct enrolment programs.

While in France, the group stayed in an 18th-century castle. In addition to travelling across the country, they visited Germany’s Casino Baden-Baden (pictured) and were treated to a demonstration of roulette by a professional croupier.

Students enjoyed a traditional German meal in the Silberberg restaurant at the Hotel Traube Tonbach. After the meal, they enjoyed a drive along the Route du Vin, which included stops in such quaint villages as Colmar and Obernai. They also took part in a wine-tasting at Maison Zimmer in the Alsace region of France.

In Switzerland, the group enjoyed a tour of a small monastery cheese factory, the KKL Luzern Culture and Convention Centre and an opera house.

Once in Italy, which they deemed was the most hospitable country on the trip, the students partook in another wine-tasting at the Aziende Agricole Sorasso. The group also visited a dairy specializing in Parmesan cheese and toured the Aceto Balsamico del Duca in Modena to learn more about the production of traditional balsamic vinegar.

Other activities included everything from a snow tubing adventure in Mount Titlis (Engelberg, Switzerland) to a tiki barbecue featuring local cuisine (Strasbourg, France) and a home-cooked Italian meal (Domaso, Italy).