International students sends culinary students to Montenegro March 30

By Nicole Thompson-Walker

thom0748@algonquincollege.com

Five lucky Algonquin students hopped on a plane for Montenegro on March 30. They’re missing their last three weeks of school, but that doesn’t matter – they’re going to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Three second-year students and two first-year students from the culinary management program each received a $2,500 grant from Algonquin’s International Office to pay for their airfare to Budva, Montenegro for eight weeks.

The second-year students received a helping hand from Ion Aimers,owner of The Works restaurant, who donated his personal Aeroplan miles, so whatever money they bring will be for recreation and leisure only.

Line Lefebvre, Jeff Lapointe, Kevin Vieira, William Burbridge and Michael Stevens-Hughes were five of 15 students who went through the application and interview process to travel to Montenegro.

“We had to fill out a page long application with our work and volunteer experience and we needed a chef sponsor,” said William Burbridge, 21.

A good attendance record and a minimum B- average were some of the other key requirements of being chosen.

“We wanted to make sure that the students going were not only good students, but good people as well,” said Kiendel.

The students will work 40 hours a weekin return for room and board at the Hotel Residence. They have the option of working in one of three hotels: Hotel Residence, Hotel Maestral and Splendid.

“I am incredibly excited,” said Michael Stevens-Hughes, 20. “This is definitely a once in a life time opportunity.”

“We’re getting hooked up,” said Jeff Lapointe, 20. “We’re going to hit up Portugal, Spain… it’s going to be awesome.”

The culinary management program does not offer internships to its students, but David Kiendel, a professor in the culinary management program and the primary organizer of this trip, hopes to do this again next year, where he plans to send at least 10-15 students.

The co-ordinator in Montenegro is a former professor of Algonquin. Brank Miljevic currently offers a hotel management program in Budva at a private school that offers the same curriculum as Algonquin.