A day in the life of an AIHM student
Your gateway to a global hospitality career with a pathway to Les Roches
Your gateway to a global hospitality career with a pathway to Les Roches
Dreaming of managing a luxury resort in the Maldives or launching a boutique hotel? Turning those ambitions into reality starts with the right training – the kind that the Asian Institute of Hospitality & Management (AIHM) delivers.
Founded by Minor Hotels, which operates over 560 hotels worldwide, AIHM delivers a Swiss-style education through its BBA programme, taught in academic association with Les Roches. The programme offers students a seamless international pathway into the global hospitality industry.
Curriculum is 90% aligned with that of Les Roches in Switzerland and Spain, allowing students to start their programme in Bangkok for two and a half years, complete both internships, and then option to transfer abroad for their final year without repeating any courses to obtain a Les Roches degree. This smooth transition makes AIHM the launchpad for a truly global hospitality career.
Learning by doing, the AIHM way
Learning at AIHM begins with the Practical Arts semester, where students train alongside experienced hotel professionals. The Integrated Hospitality Project (IHP) follows. This three-semester course is designed around business challenges from the Minor Hotels. From new restaurant menus to branding strategies, each project requires thorough research, meticulous planning, effective teamwork, and a polished client presentation.
Industry exposure deepens through internships. After just six months, students begin their first placement in a hotel operations department of their choice. A year later, the advanced internship offers higher-level management experience.
“In some cases, because of their training and strong English skills, students are even asked to help train hotel staff, sharing the high standards they’ve learned during their studies.”
“At this stage, although students aren't managers yet, they work closely with managerial staff to understand key tasks — like food and beverage cost control, menu planning, staff scheduling, and operational oversight,” says Chris Meylan, Chief Operating Officer of AIHM.
Dual AIHM – Les Roches experience
Thanks to a unique transfer programme with Les Roches — one of the world’s top three institutions for Hospitality & Leisure Management — AIHM offers students the chance to study in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, or Marbella, Spain. Both campuses deliver rich, contrasting experiences: Crans-Montana is nestled in the Swiss Alps near a world-class ski and golf resort, while Marbella has a sun-soaked, high-tech learning environment on the Mediterranean coast.
So far, the response to the programme has exceeded expectations. From the first AIHM cohort, two students transferred to Switzerland for their final year. Out of 50 students, they finished first and second in the class, earning valedictorian and runner-up titles.
“We knew they would do well, but we didn’t expect them to perform that exceptionally,” says Meylan. “It was a strong validation for Les Roches and proof of how well-prepared our students are.”
Hear from the students
Nimi Khanijou
AIHM-Les Roches BBA
At AIHM, Nimi Khanijou built a strong foundation in hospitality management. The small classes made it easy for her to connect with teachers and classmates, and the Practical Arts semester gave her the kind of immersion employers today want. She learned how to write more effectively, conduct research, and deliver presentations – just the way the industry requires.
Then came Les Roches. The school was bigger, so she had to become more independent. And with more resources, more people from diverse backgrounds, and more opportunities to connect with professionals, it also felt like she was stepping into a bigger league. Les Roches focused more on strategy, luxury hospitality, and international trends, which helped her grow and think on a global scale.
"At AIHM, focus on gaining as much practical experience as possible, as it lays the groundwork for understanding the industry’s fundamentals," Khanijou says. "When transitioning to Les Roches, be open to embracing a global perspective. Take the time to decide which specialisation to progress further with."
Today, Khanijou is a graduate management trainee at Minor Hotels, where she has rotated through key departments, including People & Culture, Loyalty Marketing, PR, E-Commerce, and Marketing.
Peera Samruayruen
AIHM-Les Roches BBA
Peera Samruayruen spent only two semesters studying in Switzerland, but it was a time that truly shaped her. Her network, already solid in Bangkok and Southeast Asia, expanded. So did her world views. As electives outside of hospitality and business were part of the curriculum, she could take classes like International Politics, Culture and Society, and even Global Culinary History.
The classroom environment was another shake-up, but one welcomed by Samruayruen. Thai schools were more traditional, reserved, and centred on the teacher. At Les Roches, it was the opposite. Students were confident and outspoken as they challenged ideas and shared opinions.
“When I was studying at AIHM, all students and professors knew each other personally, and the way we learned was very, very personalised,” she says. “The professors could give each student more of their own time and facilitate their learning experience in a more personalised way.”
A day in the life of an AIHM student
Emy starts her day bright and early. Waking up at 7:30 a.m. gives her enough time to get ready, plan her schedule, and ease into the day. Once she arrives at school, her first stop is the coffee station before class. She usually gets there 30 to 50 minutes early to set up her laptop and check the day's agenda.
Lunch break allows Emy to step outside and enjoy a meal with friends. When she’s not in class, she likes to take breaks outside the building to refresh her mind.
"Occasionally, I use the lobby to meet up with classmates and prepare for presentations, but for the most part, we stay in our classroom throughout the day," she says.
Classes typically finish around 3:00 PM, though sometimes they run a little later, until 4:00 p.m. If a group project or presentation is coming up, Emy and her classmates stay back to work on it. Otherwise, she heads home to complete her assignments before engaging in extracurricular activities.
Physical activity is a big part of Emy’s routine. Almost every day, she runs in the park or attends a Muay Thai session at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesdays at AIHM are dedicated to enrichment activities, where students can join clubs like the Arts Club, Kitchen Club, Badminton Club, or Mixology Club. It’s a great way to explore new interests and connect with students from different years.
“I joined the Badminton Club and Mixology Club," she says. "It’s a fun way to unwind while being part of the school community."
Emy prefers to finish all her work before her workout so that when she returns home around 9:00 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., she can relax and unwind. A little downtime helps her recharge before another busy day begins.
An enriching student experience awaits at the Asian Institute of Hospitality & Management.
Follow the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management on