Send Jana Abroad!

My name is Jana Soleil Davis. I am 25 years old and I am currently a senior at Johnson & Wales University. My major is International Hotel & Tourism Management with a concentration in Entertainment Management, which provides me with the opportunity to study abroad. This March I will be traveling to Europe, where I will spend three months taking classes and exploring other countries. While there, I will take Hospitality Strategic Management, International Hospitality Management, and International Policies of Tourism. Fortunately, financial aid will pay for the classes the same as they would as if I was still in the states, but everything else must come out of pocket. Those out-of-pocket costs include a round-trip flight, passport fees, food, laundry, room and board and additional unforeseen costs to accommodate my stay.

My decision to pursue a career in hospitality came as a decision to follow my dreams. As a genuine people person and one with a respect for diverse cultures, I have found the field of Hospitality & Tourism to be a great fit for my skill set and aspirations. Since I have been at Johnson & Wales, I made a serious commitment to my studies and professional development. In addition to maintaining a GPA of 3.91, I have been active in Eta Sigma Delta National Honor Society, the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality and the National Society of Leadership & Success. I am slated to exceed my current GPA at graduation in May 2012.

While here at Johnson & Wales, I have embraced the hospitality industry and I have learned a lot. I am elated to have the opportunity to travel abroad, as it will open doors to career opportunities beyond the States. Moreover, this experience will broaden my understanding of different cultures, which will contribute to my personal development.

I would like to thank you in advance for contributing to my dream! I am grateful to have the support of kind and generous people like yourself.

Sincerely,

Ja'na

The International Hotel & Tourism Management Degree program provides Johnson & Wales students opportunities to learn about the service industry from a global standpoint and explore careers outside the United States. This is the only JWU degree to include study abroad experience as a required component for graduation. Past programs have been located at DCT International Hotel & Business Management School in Vitznau, Switzerland; however, this years study abroad opportunity is slated for Italy.

Academic courses are delivered by JWU faculty who accompany the students to Europe. Case studies and course material are supplemented with industry visits and cultural excursions to explore the local context. While studying overseas, students can eat a favorite local eateries, travel to near-by countries, and integrate their experiences and observations with their academic studies.

Study abroad can be an enriching and eye-opening adventure, where learning extends to the world beyond the classroom walls. There is no substitute for living and studying in a foreign country if you want to gain in-depth knowledge of another culture's customs, people, and language.

However, such travel requires additional funding. Your contributions will assist with the following:

- International flight
- passport/visa fees
- personal expenses (such as laundry, books, and other personal items/services)
- baggage fees
- health expenses
- extra meals on weekends/holidays/excursions
- International Student ID Card (ISIC)
- personal transportation while abroad