IFT Tourism Business Management year 1 students will spend an internship period from 21 June to 17 July at The Mandarin’s House. It is hoped that students will acquire related running skills and professional attitude through participating in reception service and daily operation. Managed by Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Mandarin’s House has soon become a major tourist attraction since its opening early this year. As a living model of cultural preservation and theme tourism, IFT has assigned 6 year 1 bachelor degree students from Tourism Business Management to join this new internship program, in which they will assist with the House’s operation. During this 4 week practicum, students will learn different practical techniques, receiving visitors, tour guiding, researching, translation and carrying out surveys, to name a few. Given this opportunity, students are able to obtain hands-on experience of public relations and understand the importance of professionalism. Cultural Affairs Bureau has been the major supporting unit of IFT’s internship programs, offering Macao Museum, Macao Historical Archives, Cultural Events Department and Cultural Heritage Department as training units for IFT students majoring in Tourism Business Management, Heritage Management and Tourism Event Management. IFT bachelor degrees adopt an international approach, and emphasize on the balance between theories and practice. Its programs incorporate multiple practical factors, allowing students to put their knowledge into practice. For example, introducing a 4-week practicum course for year 1 students, as well as a 6-month internship training for all year 3 students. In view of the internationalization required by the tourism industry, IFT not only encourages internship locally, but also at a global level that exposes students to broader horizon and brings them to meet the local customs and cultures that are unique to different destinations.
