NOTHING IS MORE PERMANENT THAN PERMANENT RESIDENCY
All this can also be said about New Zealand – with the only difference being that it is not as popular as Australia yet.
The most popular professions taught here are hospitality and restaurant business. Moreover, students of these departments do internships in real restaurants and hotels with which the college has agreements. Sometimes colleges have their own restaurants. Many also choose business, marketing, management, and information technology – specialties no less in demand than those in the hospitality industry.
The most important thing: a student visa allows you to work in Australia 16 hours a week. And for that you earn enough money to cover both living and study expenses.
Study at an Australian college is divided into three levels. They are much shorter than the English ones.
Level 1 – only 20 weeks. It accepts students with our 11-year school education. After five months, the student receives a so-called N4 certificate. It is not yet a diploma, but a legal basis to work in the chosen specialty in the most junior position.
Level 2 – another 20 weeks. A diploma of completion of a professional course is issued. You can work in middle management. For example, as a 'direction manager' for reception or a senior administrator at a hotel.
A bachelor's degree in Australia can be obtained after 3-4 years of college study. Such a diploma in this country entitles you to become a director of a small company.
(Our newspaper covered the Australian education system in more detail in December 2000, see 'Zagranitsa' Nos. 36-38 (51-53)).
Switzerland. In the small town of Montreux, the Swiss Hotel Manager Sсhool (SHMS) is located, which has been attracting students from all over the world for 12 years. Although it is called a school, it is actually a college with a 4-year program, after which a bachelor's degree is awarded. Essentially, the college is located right in an operating hotel, so, as one might guess, students live, study, and do internships there.
As for the education system, it works as follows. You can apply after our 11th grade. After one year of study, a Food & Beverage certificate is issued (meaning you have completed the initial course in restaurant and hotel management). After that, you can study another year and get a diploma of secondary specialized education. And finally, for those who want to become a hotel manager – another year and a bachelor's degree.
Separately, we must mention the internship. The student is required to complete a nine-month internship. And they receive a salary. They also enjoy all benefits and insurance like an ordinary Swiss citizen. Moreover, the employer is not allowed to impose a probationary period. Usually, during the internship, you can earn from $1,200. And that's not counting tips.
HOW TO GET INTO A WESTERN COLLEGE
What is needed to get into a Western college besides a certificate of 9 or 11 years of education? First of all, a good knowledge of the language of the country you are going to. And you need to confirm that knowledge with a certificate (say, IELTS or TOEFL). Let us remind you that in Kyiv, the English exam is administered by the British Council, German by the Goethe Institute, and Spanish by the Cervantes Cultural Center.
Moreover, for a college, the language requirements are lower than for a university: for example, TOEFL 500 is quite sufficient.
All applicants undergo an interview. Either at the educational firm that sends students abroad, or at the college itself. If you want to speak directly with college teachers, you usually have to go to them. In some cases, they limit themselves to a phone conversation, and in exceptional cases, at the companies as well.
We repeat once again that you do not need to take exams to get into college. It is enough to present your school diplomas. But in some colleges, you also need to pass an intelligence test (the so-called Non-Verbal Intelligent Test).
To get into English colleges, you need to provide a reference from school and write an essay. Of course, in English.
For Australian colleges, you just need to pass a language exam (the same IELTS or TOEFL) and provide a document confirming completion of secondary school.
For Swiss colleges, you need to gather all your certificates and diplomas that you have ever received. Be sure to send a reference and a so-called CV (Curriculum Vitae), i.e., where and when you worked and studied in your life. An essay about yourself in English. Of course, a certificate of English language proficiency. It is desirable to know a second language as well. Although in the land of plush cows, you will definitely study German or French additionally.
And the final question: is there any difference between private and public colleges? There is. And it is in the price. The teaching is the same everywhere, but in public ones it is cheaper.