大三出國、全英語課程 - 國際視野 : 淡江大學大三出國通報及學分採認系統

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2023大三出國輔導通報系統 - 留學心得報告[編輯]

觀光Ａ 410860273 　黃子芩　　留學學校：阿联酋酒店管理学院(杜拜)-限觀光系

(一)基本資料

The school I went for study abroad was Emirates Academy hospitality managemnt, located in Dubai. I arrived on the first of September in 2023. I chose a total of 3 courses to study during those 3 months before the internship which i will need to apply and complete in six months in order to finsh my junior year. The 3 courses I took were Professional and Personal Development, Food and Beverage Business and Hotel Operations.(71字)

(二)課程學習

【照片說明：work in progress】

One of my favorite class was the culinary class which was a part of Food and Beverage Business course. It was an immersive experience where we delved into not just the foundamental studies and knowledges of food safety, budgeting, restaurant operations and others, but also the art and skills of cooking everyting from scratch. During each session we felt like stepping into a bustling kitchen of a restaurant. The beginning of every class we need to wear chef uniform and make sure to check all the kitchen tools also food items were all in fine condition. Then We will work in pairs and first to review the recipe about the flavor also what kind of ingredients should we make use of. Next we will start with meticulous food preparation, ensuring everything was sliced, diced, and measured to perfection. Following the recipes precisely was crucial, and was there every step of the way, offering invaluable insights, tips, and techniques to enhance our culinary skills. Once our dishes were plated and garnished, we gathered as a class to taste each team's creations, it was an great opportunity for us to get constructive feedbacks. We discussed flavor balance, presentation, and techniques used, providing each other with supportive comments to make improvements. One of the most i learned is that seasoning is also the key to have great taste since i always doesn't pay attention on it. From this course, we can also learn the importance of teamwork, time management, and attention to detail in a professional kitchen environment. Cleaning up the mess after each session was just as crucial as the cooking itself which the chef mentioned that it was not simply about tidying the kitchen, it was about maintaining the hygiene, organization, and respect for the workspace. To me, this experience was beyond my expectiation and I enjoyed a lot.(308字)

(三)生活環境

【照片說明：the pool area of accommmodation】

Emirates academy accommodation and dorm was located inside the campus, which was literally across the street from the iconic hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Each room has equippted with its own kitchenette and private baththroom.The facilities available includes a laundry room offering complimentary washing and drying machines, as well as amenities such as tennis, basketball, and badminton courts, a fully-equipped gym, a bazaar, a café, and a student restaurant with two meals a day during weekdays. The accommodation segregates into separate buildings for male and female students. In terms of the weather, it was comfortable only between December and April, while the remaining months experience intense heat typical of the desert environment. I would say it was very inconvenient living in Dubai for those who does not have driving liciense, as you only have an limited options of public transportation to taxi or bus and metro to nevigate the city. The nearest shopping destination from school is the renowned Mall of the Emirates which you will have to take an 15 minutes taxi with a cost of 30 Dirhams each rides. So my friends and I usually spares money to lower down the expenses. The cuisine in this region were the most thing i can not get used to, particularly Arabic cuisine. It offers a distinctive array of flavors, renowned for its bold use of spices and signature dishes like lamb, biryani rice, and curry stews. As someone who is extremely picky about food would often rather to starve than eating unfamiliar dishes.(253字)

(四)自我成長

【照片說明：internship at Burj Al Arab】

During this study abroad semester, I faced several difficulties and had to make various adjustments. Adapting to the stress and workload from both school and my internship, as well as getting used to the local lifestyle, was particularly challenging. I encountered many barriers when applying for internships and ultimately found myself not able to handle the stress, both mentally and physically. So I let myself to take a breath by going back home and travel to Europe with friends after the end of semester. This break helped me recharge, and I was able to start a new adventure with the internship I finally secured which was working in the front office of Burj Al Arab. Since it is a top hotel representing part of the Dubai, it is undenieable the guests here would be tough to deal with and you will have to put all of yourself into this work. Sometimes, you even recieve complaints despite the fact that you already did everything you could do. I would say this experienceh has signifitcantly changed me, not only on life but also the overall mindset and career goals. I became more tough and more tolerance on dealing stress as well as my English ability have impressively grown to be able to communicate with so many kinds of accents. As for my personal life, i also grown a lot on household skills. Since i am not used to the food culture here and eating out was expensive, i try to cook for myself everyday if i am available. (256字)

(五)大三出國建議

Dubai is a unique choice as a study abroad destination, and I chose to come to here for that very reason. If you are looking for a different experience than others, then Dubai would be a great choice for you. Dubai is located at the center of the world and serves as a transit stop for many travelers, attracting people from all over the world.You will encounter various cultural shocks and many distinctive accents (Indian, Russian, Arabic). Despite the difficulty in understanding, you will need to guess their needs and learn how to interact with them to meet their standards, which can be quite challenging. Therefore, before your internship, please develop a good adaptability to various language accents and the ability to handle pressure and maintain emotional stability when facing unreasonable demands. Of course, having a spirit of determination is even more important. Proactively engage in all hotel work processes, seize opportunities to perform tasks frequently, and with repeated practice and familiarity, you will reduce the occurrence of unexpected errors. Establishing good relationships with supervisors and colleagues is very important to get help when needed. However, you might still encounter racial discrimination, try to view it calmly and not be too upset, as it is sometimes an individual's problem. The employee cafeteria mainly serves everyday Arabic food with limited choices, but as long as you are willing to eat, you won't starve. Daily purchases are mostly done through online delivery, which are convenient but limited in options. Physical stores are often far away and transportation is inconvenient (severe traffic jams). Restaurant prices are high, and the cost-performance ratio of food is low, making it preferable to cook for yourself. The unbearable hot weather and the dry desert climate, coupled with hard water, are also challenging to be used to. (300字)