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 410860919 　葉安麒　　留學學校：國際飯店管理學院(澳洲)-限觀光系海外實習組

(一)基本資料

The school I chose for my junior year study abroad program is the International College of Hotel Management (ICHM) located in Adelaide, Australia. I stayed in Australia from July 21, 2023, to August 19, 2024, living there for a full year. The courses I took included BBHM102 - The Server Etiquette, which taught us bartending and wine tasting; BBHM103 - Restaurant Service: Standards, Etiquette, and Training, where we learned table setting and gained hands-on experience through restaurant training; BBHM104 - Be Our Guest, which covered essential housekeeping duties in hotels; BBHM109 - Employability Skills for Future Hoteliers, which focused on effective communication skills; and BBHM111a - Work Integrated Learning for Semester 1, which involved individual internship placements.(113字)

(二)課程學習

【照片說明：Me making cocktails in the BBHM102 course.】

My favorite and most recommended course is BBHM102 - The Server Etiquette. The reason I love this course, besides my personal interest in learning this type of knowledge, is that in my usual learning environment in Taiwan, I rarely have the opportunity to encounter such course content, let alone engage in hands-on practice. In the wine-tasting section of this course, we were exposed to various types of wine, learned about their production processes, learned how to properly taste a glass of wine, discovered which wines are sweet or bitter, and realized that the same wine can taste different to different people. We also learned about food and wine pairings. In the bartending section, we had the chance to create a wide variety of cocktails with our own hands. From selecting the right spirits from the shelf, slicing lime wedges, to pouring the drinks into glasses in the correct proportions, every step was completed by us. The professor was always there to provide encouragement and guidance, making it a truly comprehensive and fulfilling course. The instructor for this course, Niels Sloos, is also my favorite professor. During wine-tasting sessions, he would always carefully observe everyone’s facial expressions, and during bartending sessions, he would check in at the right moments to see if anyone needed assistance, always offering encouragement. When we asked questions or made mistakes, he was never impatient and always responded kindly. For example, someone in the class accidentally broke a glass, his first reaction was to gently check if the student was hurt. Once, I cut my hand while slicing a lemon and started bleeding. Without hesitation, Niels immediately took a first-aid kit from the classroom cabinet and bandaged my wound. He also followed up later to check on the condition of my injury. He is a truly professional and compassionate professor.(304字)

(三)生活環境

【照片說明：My friends and I relaxing on the grass next to ICHM after class.】

ICHM is a two- to three-story building. While the overall space isn’t particularly large, it is more than sufficient to accommodate all the students and staff, creating a very comfortable environment that never feels crowded. The building includes a variety of classrooms, a table tennis area, a dining area, and meeting rooms. Next to the dining area, there are refrigerators and microwaves for our convenience, as well as vending machines and complimentary milk and other beverages available at all times. The campus is sunny, clean, tidy, warm, and cozy, making it a very pleasant environment. During my time studying at ICHM, I lived at Scape Waymouth, which is less than a 10-minute walk from the school. The building is well-equipped with a laundry room, kitchen, study and discussion rooms, table tennis and pool tables, and various seating areas for relaxation on the first floor. Outdoors, there is a basketball court and a large open space for exercise, and next to the main entrance, there is a free gym available for residents. The reception desk provides convenient services, allowing us to ask questions or have packages collected. We can also borrow items like vacuum cleaners or shopping trolleys from the reception, and they’re usually ready within five minutes, making it incredibly convenient. Scape Waymouth also organizes a variety of activities every month, including sports, dinners, and tours. There’s always something happening, so much so that I could never attend all the events! Both the school and the accommodation are located in the city center. For shopping, a 15-minute walk will take you to Rundle Mall, a long shopping street with clothing stores, food, supermarkets, and souvenirs—all in one place! If walking feels like too much, there’s a free tram that takes less than five minutes to get there. The convenience of living here is unbeatable. Even though it’s in the city center, there are large green spaces everywhere. Between the school and Scape Waymouth, there’s a big lawn that’s perfect for sunbathing, relaxing, and chatting. During my stay in Adelaide, from around July to December, the climate was very comfortable for me. It rarely rained, and almost every day was sunny. The weather was neither too hot nor too cold, making every outing enjoyable.(381字)

(四)自我成長

【照片說明：I working on an assignment in one of the discussion rooms at Scape Waymouth until 6 a.m.】

At first, it was really hard to get used to their currency because the Australian dollar is divided into very small units, down to decimals, requiring rounding. Additionally, the coins were difficult to distinguish and completely different from Taiwan’s. However, I gradually realized that online payment is extremely common in Australia, even small vendors offer it. So later, I only carried my phone when I went out, using it for contactless payments. This saved me from counting coins myself, made checkout very fast without delaying anyone, and avoided the risk of carrying too much cash. The main difficulty I encountered in my courses was the strict requirements and conditions for assignments in Australia. Every assignment had to follow their specified format. For example, references needed to be cited in specific places, the word count could not exceed or fall short of their requirement by more than ten words, and when citing references, not only did the sources have to be clearly stated, but they also had to be formatted exactly according to their rules (including punctuation). It was very complicated and overwhelming at first. However, I eventually got used to it, becoming more familiar with how and where things should be written. Moreover, ICHM has professional professors who are always ready to help and even proactively check in with us, which is very thoughtful. So in the end, these difficulties were all manageable and solvable. As for cultural differences, I could clearly feel that Australians place greater importance on work-life balance. They do not encourage overtime and advocate for leaving work on time. During holidays, they take the time to relax, travel, or spend time with family. This is unlike Taiwan, where working hours are often too long, and most people prioritize work over life, to the point where they nearly lose their personal lives. Many continue to work overtime after a full day or sacrifice their holidays for work. Australia also has a higher level of acceptance for a multicultural society. The country’s cultural diversity is very evident, with a high tolerance for people from different backgrounds. On the streets, you can always encounter individuals from various countries, and there are frequent cross-cultural events, which are very fresh and interesting. In comparison, Taiwan’s acceptance of different races and cultures is still growing. However, these cultural differences can be navigated effectively through observation and communication, enabling very suitable ways of interaction.(404字)

(五)大三出國建議

When I was preparing to go abroad, I was extremely nervous and afraid that I wouldn’t be able to handle the challenges I might face. However, it turned out that even when challenges arose, we always found ways to solve them. Never underestimate your own abilities—sometimes, you just need to grit your teeth and push through, and eventually, you’ll overcome anything. There’s no obstacle you can’t surpass. Also, don’t dwell too much on anything; try to look forward as much as possible. While abroad, never be afraid to express yourself. I was also very shy at first, but later I realized that if you don’t clearly communicate your needs, others won’t understand them. Don’t fear language barriers—even if you need to use gestures to help, people will understand! After all, Australia has many non-locals, and English is just a tool for communication. Don’t hesitate to express yourself. When faced with unreasonable requests, make sure to stand up for your rights. Don’t be afraid or shy to fight for what you deserve. If you try, there’s always a chance—at least you’ll know you gave it your best, and you won’t regret it later. Before going abroad, I used to be very dependent on others. However, after leaving Adelaide to go for an internship, I was able to live alone in a completely unfamiliar city for six months. I even traveled alone by plane, which was something I never could have imagined doing before. So whenever you have time, try to go out, explore, and travel. Don’t focus all your attention on studying and working. Learn and try things beyond your courses. After all, you’ve already gone abroad, so make sure to enjoy the local life as much as possible. But also don’t overindulge—make sure you still complete what needs to be done. Plan well, and I wish you all the best!(330字)

(六)其他

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to live in Australia for a year through Tamkang University’s junior year study abroad program. During this year, I learned so much—not only academic knowledge but also gained a wealth of life experiences. During my internship, I also made friends from different countries, engaged in friendly cultural exchanges, and got to know more about diverse cultures.(65字)

補充照片

【照片說明：The free dinner events at Scape Waymouth.】

【照片說明：Wine tasting in the BBHM102 course.】

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資料更新時間：03月13日 11:57

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