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Philosophy of learning

 

“Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.”

EHL's careful balance of art and science, rigour and creativity, knowledge and imagination, prepares students to be future industry leaders.

It lays the foundation for lifelong learning as the basis for a successful career and for personal fulfilment.

Art and science

Hospitality is different from other businesses, and hospitality management is different from management in other fields. It calls for a wide range of competencies and unusual qualities.

 

Industry know-how

EHL was founded by the industry, for the industry. What is studied at EHL, and the way it is studied, has always been closely linked to industry needs, and programmes are regularly updated to correspond to new trends and needs.

Theory and practice

EHL has always been known for its intertwined mix of theory and practice. What is unusual is that students do not just learn theory and then apply it in practice. Often it's the other way round. Students learn through what they are doing and and gradually construct a sound theoretical framework through reading, research, and the reflective process of the classroom.

 

Leadership

EHL’s mission is to form the future leaders of the industry. But you can lead only if you can convince others that you are making the right decisions. Decisions that look right on paper won't work if your team is not motivated to implement them. Negotiating depends on people skills. Persuading other people and bringing them on board is an essential part of leadership.

Teamwork

Teamwork is important in itself and is also the best way to develop leadership qualities. At EHL we are so convinced of the value of group work that student teams are coached and guided in how to work successfully together. Coaching will help you learn to listen to others – and also to be attentive to what they are not saying. You will see when teams work, and when they don’t.

 

From teaching to learning

At EHL we emphasize the importance of learning how to learn. Students are helped to evaluate what they are learning with a critical eye, to know when and where to seek additional information, to adapt their knowledge to different circumstances and to supplement it with multiple sources that can provide insight for wise decisions.

Active learning methods

EHL programmes are designed to encourage exploration and discovery by each individual student. This kind of active learning results in better understanding and assimilation of knowledge than the passive learning that results from sitting in a lecture theatre.

 

Career development

A Professional Development Stream runs through all the programmes and is closely intertwined with other courses. It brings together formal and informal learning, and helps students to take an active, responsible role both in their professional and in their personal life.