A Journey to Success...What our People Say

“Alpine’s Master’s degree in International Hospitality and Tourism leadership was my 3rd post-graduate degree (Juris Doctor and MBA). What makes Alpine’s programme truly unique is a solid grounding in the knowledge areas plus developing your ability to think both critically and creatively. Alpine’s learning environment is enhanced tremendously by the collegiality of staff who truly care about providing a rich learning experience for each and every student. Alpine quickly became my “home away from home” and I have made many lifelong friends here. Thanks to Alpine I was finally able to focus my career path allowing me to eventually create my own consulting firm in Russia, with continuing guidance and assistance from Alpine staff. Alpine opened many doors for me and it was at Alpine that I finally found myself.„

Daniil Neofitidi
President
NEO Consulting Group
MA, Class of 2006

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. I found what I love at Alpine where I discovered my passion for hotels. Alpine's lecturers were both academically qualified and specialists and leaders in the industry. Alpine gave me a tremendous advantage with theoretical insights and practical know-how.  Now I own my own company in Germany and work as a trainer, coach, and keynote speaker.  I am the 'Hotelwhisperer'. Twenty years after graduating from Alpine, I can't say thank you enough.  Thank you Alpine you have given me and many more students the opportunity to discover their love and passion in pursuit of our lifelong professions. „

Tia Vassiliou
Managing Director
"Hotelwhisperer", Wiesbaden, Germany
Class of 1992

“Twelve years have passed since my graduation from Alpine, nonetheless every day I think of the quality of education I received!   Apart from the outstanding learning opportunities, the fine values instilled by my alma mater have prompted me to further educate myself while being employed in a leading organization such as Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki.  Indeed, I feel that Alpine has contributed towards me having the right attitude and academic preparation to face my future with a bold mind focused on excellence. „

Giovanni Serafini
Human Resources Manager
Hyatt Regency Casino, Thessaloniki
Class of 1995

“The MA programme in International Hospitality & Tourism Leadership at Alpine College is a stimulating and challenging one. With constant support from all professors at Alpine, I have matured and grown. It also gave me the necessary tools to continue my career with Celebrity Cruises more successfully and with more confidence. I have left Alpine not only with more knowledge, experience and a fantastic degree but with a new extended family as well.„

Katy Bolarhino
Front Office Manager
GTS Millenium Celebrity Cruises
MA, Class of 2006

“Alpine was the turning point of my career and my life. During my three years of study I not only learned the intricacies of the hotel business but also how to be an effective manager.  The knowledge that I gained and skills that I developed afforded me the opportunity to apply myself from day-one with practical and summer placements at first-class hotel properties such as Hilton International.
All I can say is "thank you" Alpine for giving me a significant and positive impact on my career and also for giving me the confidence and skills to be a true professional.  My very best wishes are always with you.„

Yannis Petrakis,
Director of Business Development
Hilton Vilamoura
As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa
Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal
Class of 1990

“During my time at Alpine, I was eager to graduate and leap energetically into the hospitality industry. I often reflect on my time with Alpine and miss it dearly. Alpine made the education fun, whilst at the same time it taught me discipline and professionalism that is so important to me on a daily basis in my career.
Since graduation, I can truthfully say that Alpine students always distinguish themselves and we are all one big family with paths crossing frequently around the world. My advice to all new Alpine students is to enjoy every second spent on campus - I did! And I'm now reaping the benefits of a stable and solid career. Thank you Alpine from all of us. „

Elena Sergeeva
Marketing Executive
Russia & Eastern Europe
Capsis Convention Centres & Resort Hotels
Class of 2004

“Few words cannot describe what Alpine contributed to my life and career.  Extending across various multinational organizations including Master Foods, HP and Honeywell, before culminating in 2007 by joining "The Holding Group" a WPP organization which owns Y&R, MEC, Wunderman, Intermarkets, Asdaa and Polaris.
Now I do not only what I have been trained to do, but also what I love to do.  As Director of HR for the Middle East and North Africa with responsibility for 1200 employees, I can leverage on the education and training I received from Alpine. This position is giving me incredible satisfaction as a professional and as a person. Alpine gave me the foundation on which to build a dynamic and rewarding future. Thank you Alpine.„

Rani Zahed
Human Resource Director
Middle East and Africa
The Holding Group, Dubai
Class of 1990

“As a professional chef, I wanted to hone my skills and develop my credentials by enrolling at Alpine in the BA (Hons) Culinary Arts Management programme. The course is very challenging and the faculty and administrative staff are very supportive and enthusiastic.  There is an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere at Alpine and I am confident of leaving with a degree, but also with confidence and enthusiasm towards my vocation. „

Panos Ioannidis
Chef
Danish Embassy
BA(Hons) Culinary Arts, Class of 2007

“In the hospitality industry worldwide there is increasingly intense competition among hotel companies, restaurant chains and independent food service operations. There is also a growing need for outstanding service and professionalism in all the areas of the industry.Alpine gave me the skills and the motivation not only to survive in this highly competition environment, but also the ability to provide the highest quality of products and service.
Alpine not only opened the doors of my mind but also the doors of many opportunities during my career.  Each time I visit Alpine College it feels like coming home and where I learned the true meaning of world-class hospitality.  This is what Alpine gave me and I am grateful each and every day.„

Pavlos Simotopoulos
Sous Chef, Alpine College
Athens, Greece
Swiss Diploma in Culinary Arts, Class of 1995

“I chose Alpine for the experience of studying in another country. Greece has an excellent climate and Alpine has an excellent reputation with smaller classes so you can ask questions easily of the lecturers.  At Alpine the entire staff is very inspiring and obliging.  Not only did I learn modern theories and applications of the hospitality industry, I also completed a sophisticated dissertation on a topic of my choice.  Alpine is an international college that makes it possible to meet, befriend and interact with students and staff from many cultures and nationalities.  Coming to Alpine was one of the best decisions in my life.„

Di (Simon) Liu
Guest Relations Manager
Hyatt Regency, Shanghai, China
BA(Hons) Class of 2006

“ I was ready to enroll in a Business School for Hotel and Tourism Management in Switzerland when I met a representative from Alpine College in Ukraine.  I had done my homework on the many higher educational institutions in Europe offering programs in hospitality and tourism, but what I learned about Alpine seemed at first unreal to me.

Alpine offers a British MA degree in International Hospitality and Tourism Leadership validated by the University of Wales, UK and you can complete it in only 12 months.  That was exactly what I had been dreaming about!  To make things even better, tuition for Alpine’s MA program is very reasonable.  It’s not often when life gives you a perfect opportunity but this is how I felt when I learned more about Alpine.

After completing the master’s degree in 12 months, I can honestly say that I consider Alpine to be my second home and the staff and my fellow students my second family.  The knowledge, skills and confidence I received at Alpine College opened a whole new world for me.  I not only received a quality post graduate education in hospitality and tourism, I also received a quality education in leadership skills that can transfer to almost any field.  I’m very excited now about exploring the international employment market.  Equipped with my Alpine education, I’m confident that I can succeed in any segment of the Services Industry anywhere in the world.  I strongly encourage other prospective students and even industry professionals to explore Alpine’s portfolio of programs.  From my experience, Alpine is one of the best choices you can make in your life.„

Yuliya Chorn

“ My decision to follow Hotel management studies at the Alpine center gave me valuable help in many ways. It was indeed a significant decision for the development of my career, and proved to be very helpful for a number of reasons. These reasons include the emphasis on critical thinking and the ability you acquire to present your work and yourself to an audience. I developed a keen eye for detail and quality, a necessary qualification in today's competitive professional world. I feel that my studies helped me set my career objectives and develop my managerial capabilities as well as a high level of professional integrity and social responsibility.
As a student, I enjoyed the friendly approach of the faculty, the staff and my fellow students, which helped me adjust to an international culture and become a part of it. Excellence and inspiration are the exact words I can use to describe the professors of Alpine.

Definitely, the Alpine center has been a turning point in my studies and the right choice for me in my attempt to meet my career objectives. I really had a nice time there because not only did I gain valuable knowledge but I also met interesting people.At the end of July 2000, Beijing’s food scene welcomed a top-class Greek restaurant. It took so long for the fine Greek cuisine to become available to the local diners with Athena Greek restaurant in Sanlitun, the first and only restaurant of its type throughout China. For years, many people of the international community of Beijing have been wondering why Beijing’s enterprising restaurateurs had allowed this conspicuous gap to go unfilled. The basic ingredients- lamb, rice, eggplant, yogurt, garlic -were all plentiful in China; you could even get feta cheese and olive oil from the local Carrefour super market.

The parent company of Athena through the Greek ambassador in China, asked for my help to manage the first Greek restaurant in China. Nothing, not even almighty Zeus thrusting thunderbolts at me full of wrath, could have kept me away of this great professional life chance. I had been astonished to find out that a major world capital lacked a restaurant representing my homeland. To work at Beijing was indeed a significant decision for the development of my career and proved to be very helpful for a number of reasons.
I burst with joy whenever I recall my adventure in China; the support I received from the European Chefs of High-class Hotels; the valuable knowledge I gained next to them about the Chinese market. Having international experience is essential in my profession. Both Chinese and foreign executives working at embassies and companies in Beijing became fervent habitues of the restaurant.

I did my best to satisfy them although I couldn't speak a word of Chinese and I had to communicate with kitchen staff entirely in sign language.
As a young and enthusiastic chef in Beijng, I faced a lot of difficulties and I managed to create some authentic, delicious Greek dishes in spite of working in a 10 m2 kitchen and missing key machinery and Greek traditional food products.
Athena, China’s (Beijing) first only and long-awaited Greek restaurant opened its doors to the public on the auspicious date of August, 8th (‘8-8’ sounds like ‘prosper-prosper” in Chinese)!
This unique experience in Beijing helped me learn how to work and succeed under pressure and how to deal with people in a multicultural environment…but above all, it helped me gain self-confidence. I must add that as an international chef, the support I received from the people there was something I will never forget. I felt as if I were at home! People from Beijing but also from the international community helped me adjust to an international culture and become part of it. I have now lots of friends from all over the world!„

Grigorios Vichos
Marketing & Sales Executive
De Gustibus, Athens
Swiss Diploma in Culinary Arts, Class of 2001