Name:  Kristin Hansen
Hometown:  Norway
Degree:  Bachelor of Business Administration in International Tourism (05)
Master of International Business Management
Job title: Owner and Managing Director
Company:  Soria Moria Hotel
Location:  Siem Reap, Cambodia

“When I started conceptualising the Soria Moria, I knew that I wanted to contribute to the sustainable development of tourism in the area.”

Kristin has always wanted to own her own business and she knew the importance of a business degree.  She chose ICMS for the combination of theoretical and practical experience and the focus on professionalism.   This comprehensive approach to education offered me a critical edge after graduation as I set the framework for the hotel.   

My first goal was to become the first choice of accommodation for independent travelers and small groups visiting Cambodia.  Here we offer travellers a unique experience of true hospitality through combining the best of local history, culture and environment with international standards of service and facilities.

Another mission for the hotel is to become the first choice of workplace for Cambodian locals, by focusing on quality and development of the staff through best business practice, following labour laws, in addition to offering on-site hospitality training and education on a higher level.
Since I have always wanted to have my own business, it was important to me that I received a business degree.

This year Kristin welcomed her first ICMS Industry Training student Maria Yttri and plans to offer a placement every year to an ICMS student. 

Nine months of paid industry training was one of the features of an ICMS degree that attracted me to ICMS, so it is wonderful to have that experience come full circle by offering Maria a management trainee position for her industry training experience.  I hope to make the most of it for her by allowing her to experience all aspects of a working hotel.

Find out more about International Tourism Management 

Name:  Anastasia Tolstoukhova
Hometown: Tyumen, Western Siberia, Russia
Degree:  Bachelor of Business Administration in Event Management 
 


“I loved the people and the high-quality education at ICMS.  In my home country, universities are more theoretical and as a student you are not always encouraged to say what you think.  This is the complete opposite of ICMS where the theoretical is combined with the practical experience of lecturers and industry training.”

Anastasia was initially interested in pursuing a degree in hotel management until she came upon the College website and found the event management program.  A degree in event management was a good fit for Anastasia who is people person and likes the variety and opportunity within the event industry.  During her nine months of paid Industry Training, Anastasia worked as an Event Coordinator, planning the annual Charity Yachting Regatta on Sydney Harbour.  Anastasia plans to work in Sydney for the next few years and eventually open her own business.  She also speaks English, Russian and German fluently. 

Find out more about Event Management  

Name: Andrew Oh
Hometown: Singapore
Job title: Corporate Management Trainee
Company: Hyatt Corporation
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management (08)

“I’ve always known that I had the personality for the hospitality industry, which encompassed a good mix of service and corporate elements.  There are also great opportunities for advancement and travel.”

Andrew chose ICMS on an agent’s recommendation and appreciated the multicultural environment on campus, which after graduation gave him networking contacts around the world.  As a student spent, Andrew was selected to complete his Industry Training at The Westin Melbourne. 
In his current role as a Hyatt Corporate Management Trainee, no one day is alike.  This comprehensive program is tailored to Andrew’s personal interests, yet allows him the chance to experience all departments one of the finest hotels in Melbourne.  Given his wealth of experience and academic foundation, Andrew is on track to reach his goal of becoming the General Manager of a hotel property, eventually rising to the a regional of global management position within the corporation. 

Find out more about Hospitality Management 

Name: Carmen Lam
Hometown:  Perak, Malaysia
Program:  Master of International Business

“The ICMS coursework and program structure was more relevant and practical when compared to other programs.  Career wise it was the best choice for me.  The small class sizes, interactive teaching style and professional dress made me feel like a working professional from day one.”

Carmen completed her Bachelor of Business Administration at ICMS before enrolling in the master’s program.  When she is not studying, Carmen works at Next Byte, one of Australia’s leading computer resellers where she has worked for the last four years as a sales consultant.   Carmen was the Team Leader for the recent ICMS graduate group who won the 2009 Asia Pacific Google Online Marketing Challenge, including an all-inclusive trip to Beijing, China and a visit to Google’s Beijing-based offices. 

Find out more Master of International Business   

Name:  Danny Kim
Hometown: South Korea 
Degree:  Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management 



 â€śThe BPP improved my English and communication skills.  By the time I started my Bachelor’s degree, I was confident in my abilities and prepared for success.”

Before commencing studies at ICMS, Danny chose to improve his English language fluency and academic skill set via the Business Preparation Program (BPP).  Danny went on to complete his paid Industry Training at the exclusive InterContinental, Sydney where he had the chance to serve world leaders at the 2007 APEC summit and was asked to stay on a casual basis as he continued his studies.  Danny aims to continue working for premium hotels after graduation in the area of human resources. 

Find out more about the BPP Program

Name: Iris Yim
Hometown:  Hong Kong
Program:  Master of Commerce-Marketing

“Once you graduate from ICMS, no one can say that you have limited experience.  When I interview for jobs this is the difference between ICMS students and students from other universities.”

Iris completed her Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management and then spent a year working as the Housekeeping Coordinator at the six-star Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong before enrolling in the master’s program.  Iris is an active member of the Asian Student Association and a part of the graduate group who recently won the 2009 Asia Pacific Google Online Marketing Challenge.  After graduation, she plans to work internationally in a marketing department within the hotel or airline industry.  

Find out more Master of Commerce  

Name:  Sean Lee
Hometown:  Seoul, South Korea
Degree:  Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management (09)
Job title:  Junior Business Analyst
Company:  Westpac Corporation
Location:  Sydney, Australia

“Across programs there is an underlying business component to the coursework at ICMS.  This really comes to life in the classroom with the mix practical and theoretical classes.”

After Sean served in Iraq with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army, he commenced study at the International College of Management, Sydney and credits the College for giving him the opportunity to explore various career paths, combining classroom and industry experience, before landing his current position.

As a student, Sean was hired by the College’s Marketing Department and went on to play a critical role in the design and launch of the new ICMS website in early 2009.  Managing a project from conception to launch gave Sean invaluable real world experience that helped him secure his current position as a Junior Business Analyst for Westpac Corporation.  Sean plans to continue working in his current role at Westpac and will eventually complete his MBA at the College.  Due to his superior performance, he will enjoy a full academic scholarship.    

Find out more about Hospitality Management 

Name:  Valentina Gonzalez
Hometown:  Mexico City, Mexico
Degree:  Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management (06)
Job title: Guest Relations Manager
Company:  W Hotels
Location:  Barcelona, Spain

“My career with W Hotels began in Sydney when I was a student at the College on nine months of paid Industry Training.  Since that time, I have worked for the company in different roles in Sydney, New York and now Barcelona. I was fortunate to find an organization early in my career that shared my professional values and offered significant growth opportunities.”

Valentina’s mother was in the Mexican Foreign Service, so she spent much of her youth staying in hotels for a long period of time. During this time, Valentina took to the home-like feel that can be created within a hotel.  This fact combined with her love for interacting with people of difference cultures made the hospitality management industry a good fit for her. One of her favorite things about her job is the opportunity to work in different countries and help people.  Over the next few years Valentina would like to be to be promoted at W Hotels to the role of Sales Manager and ultimately open her own boutique backpacker chain throughout her native Mexico. 

Find out more about Hospitality Management 

Name:  Alex Scott
Hometown: Ballarat, Australia
Degree:  Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management (07)
Job title: Duty Manager
Company:  Hotel Michael
Location: Sentosa, Singapore

 â€śI grew to love the atmosphere and personality that a hotel can possess while spending my holidays and long weekends as a child in many different hotels while traveling with my parents. I then did an Industry Placement in Year 10 at the Mercure Sydney and fell in love with the industry and what it had to offer me. I have wanted to work in and manage hotels ever since.”

Alex worked as the Night Manager at the Fours Seasons Hotel, Sydney after graduation and recently left the organisation for a management position at the new Hotel Michael a boutique hotel in Singapore.  Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) will be the first Integrated Resort (Casino) in Singapore. Hotel Michael is one of six hotels and resorts within RWS.
Alex notes that the international makeup of the ICMS student body prepared him for management roles within premium hotels where multicultural sensitivity is an essential part of serving guests from around the world.  

Find out more about Hospitality Management