Student Spotlight - Abiral Rai
If you’re looking to gain a world-renowned qualification in a country that excels in the field, our BA (Hons) Hospitality Management gives you an incredible opportunity to study and work with the best in Scottish hospitality.
Abiral travelled from Nepal to study at UHI Perth and shared his experience with us so far.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Abiral Rai, studying BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management at UHI Perth and I’m currently in my third year.
What were you doing before the course, and why did you decide to do it?
Before the course, I was studying Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management in Nepal. It was a 21-month course, which include 15 months of practical and theory learning in college and six months of industrial training. During my industrial training, my interest in hospitality grew, which motivated me to study more. I decided to study BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management here at UHI Perth because it provides industry-based experience, which will help me in my professional development and in my long-term career.
How did it feel when you started at UHI Perth?
When I started at UHI Perth, I felt like a mix of excitement and also nervousness because it was a new country for me and a new academic environment. In the beginning, it was challenging, but the support from my lecturer and classmates, helped me to adapt very quickly to this environment and I'm really enjoying it.
What kind of subjects have you studied so far?
So far, I've studied a lot of subjects and modules. In year two, I completed a work placement, food and beverage operations, quality management and planning. Currently in year three, I am studying: understanding customer behaviour, developing entrepreneurial effectiveness, and quality management for hospitality industry.
How have you got on with your classmates on the course?
My class is quite diverse, and having a few other Nepalese students was very helpful for me to be comfortable in the beginning. At the same time, working with my classmates from different countries helped me to build my communication skills and understand different perspectives. We have also worked on different projects and events during the course with my classmates. We help each other and we share our ideas, which was helpful to build my confidence and communication skills.
Have you found anything challenging whilst you have been here?
I would say it was challenging to understand the Scottish accent at first because it was very new to me, but I got used to it because I work in hotels and restaurants where I hear it every day and I interact with a lot of customers with different accents. It helped me to improve my listening skills as well!
The other challenge was getting used to the assignments which are totally different from what we do in Nepal, but my lecturers are always there when I need help.
How have the lecturers supported you on the course?
My lecturers have supported me in a lot of ways - especially helping with our assignments, providing clear explanations or the guidance, and encouraging us to get involved in extra activities. For example, last year, I was chosen by my lecturer to participate in educational tours to luxury hotels and that opportunity was especially valuable for me because it gave me a lot of industry experience and knowledge.
Have you completed and work placements as part of your course?
As part of my hospitality management course, I have completed my work placement in Murrayshall Country Hotel - which is a four-star luxury golf hotel in Perth. Through my work placement, I've gained valuable knowledge about mixology, customer service, and how the hotel operation works.
How do you think the courses prepared you for when you go into the industry?
My course has been preparing me so well for my future career. In my food and beverage module, I acted as a General Manager, where I had to oversee menu planning, and organise the team allocating them to work in different places which helped me to improve my leadership skills. I would also say the module ‘Developing Entrepreneur Effectiveness’ has helped me to create and develop my business plan for the future.
What are your plans after you finish the course?
After my course, my plan will be to work in a luxury hotel for a few years, I want to apply all the things I have learned so far and gain more experience and knowledge. In the future, maybe after five or six years, my plan is to open a hospitality business in Nepal.
What advice would you give to someone if they're coming to university for the first time?
My advice for new students will be to work hard, be open minded and try to get involved in college activities. Take opportunities and take advantage of the offers and opportunities which are provided by the college.
