César Ritz Colleges Students Launch a New Internship Magazine

Launchpad: Where Leadership Takes Flight

At César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, we believe that leadership is not learned in theory alone—it is shaped through experience. Guided by our philosophy, Learn to lead, lead to succeed, our students step beyond the classroom to test their skills, challenge their assumptions, and discover their strengths in the world’s most dynamic hospitality environments.

Today, we are proud to announce the launch of Launchpad, our new student internship magazine—created by students, for students, and in collaboration with the Swiss Education Group marketing team. Launchpad is more than a publication. It is a platform for storytelling, reflection, and inspiration, designed to showcase the transformative impact of internships on our students’ professional development.

A Platform for Real Stories, Real Growth

Internships are at the heart of the César Ritz experience. They provide students with the opportunity to apply business and leadership principles in real-world contexts—whether in luxury hotels, global corporations, or innovative enterprises beyond traditional hospitality.

Launchpad captures these journeys.

Led by our two student editors, Stefanie Kovalev (Fall Term) and Alex I Chun Hung (Winter Term), the magazine reflects the voices and ambitions of our student community. Both serve as Internship Ambassadors, guiding peers through one of the most exciting—and sometimes daunting—stages of their education.

In her welcome note, Stefanie reflects on her own formative internship experience at the Fairmont in Hawaii, describing it as “an eye-opening opportunity that taught me so much, not just about hospitality, but about growth, resilience, and the joy of connecting with people.” Her message captures the essence of Launchpad: internships are not simply professional milestones; they are moments of personal transformation.

Alex echoes this sentiment, greeting readers with “Lí hó!” and reminding us that hospitality is fundamentally about meaningful storytelling and genuine human connection. “There is no single definition of the ‘right’ internship,” he writes. “What matters most is to keep contemplating what you want and step out of your comfort zone.” His words reinforce the entrepreneurial spirit we cultivate at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland.

Experiential Learning in Action

Experiential learning is embedded in our curriculum. Through internships, students gain exposure to international markets, multicultural teams, and high-performance environments. They learn how to lead by doing—managing challenges, taking initiative, and building confidence in their abilities.

The stories featured in Launchpad demonstrate the global scope and impact of these experiences.

Embracing Excellence in Switzerland

For Ravshan Khusenov, a Hospitality Business Management student originally from Uzbekistan, pursuing an internship at the The Ritz-Carlton, Geneva was the realization of a long-held dream.

Drawn to the art of luxury hospitality, Ravshan moved to Switzerland to immerse himself in the excellence of Swiss service culture. A gold medal graduate from the International Mathematics School in Uzbekistan, he combines analytical precision with a deep passion for guest experience.

“My passion for hospitality and my desire to immerse myself in the excellence of Swiss hospitality inspired me to move to Switzerland and pursue my studies at César Ritz,” he shares.

At The Ritz-Carlton, Geneva, Ravshan experienced first-hand the standards of one of the world’s most prestigious hospitality brands. Working alongside seasoned professionals, he refined his attention to detail, strengthened his communication skills, and gained invaluable insight into the operational strategies behind luxury service. His internship demonstrates how César Ritz students step confidently into high-caliber environments—prepared not only to contribute, but to lead.

Redefining Luxury in Dubai

For Sophia Carrozzo, ambition led her to the vibrant hospitality landscape of Dubai. Her internship at the Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah immersed her in one of the world’s most competitive luxury markets.

“Dubai inspired me—the level of luxury they reach is unbelievable. I wanted to learn from the very best,” she explains.

In Dubai, innovation meets grandeur. Sophia encountered an environment where service excellence is continuously elevated, and guest expectations are redefined daily. Through this experience, she sharpened her adaptability and cultural intelligence—key attributes for future leaders in a global industry.

Her story highlights the truly global reach of César Ritz internships. From Switzerland to Dubai and far beyond, our students come from every corner of the world and pursue opportunities wherever excellence calls them. They are not defined by geography, but empowered by possibility.

Discovering Direction in London

For Mark-Anthony Joinville, an internship at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London proved pivotal in shaping his career vision.

Exposure to multiple departments broadened his understanding of luxury hospitality operations. Rather than focusing on a single function, he experienced the interconnected nature of leadership—how communication, teamwork, and strategic thinking align to create seamless guest journeys.

“This experience has helped me understand where I want to build my future in hospitality,” he reflects.

Internships often provide clarity. For Mark-Anthony, the opportunity to rotate across departments offered a holistic view of the industry, empowering him to make informed decisions about his professional path. Leadership, after all, begins with self-awareness.

Thinking Beyond Hospitality

While many students pursue internships within established hotel brands, Thi Khanh Huyen Le chose a different route.

After completing her first internship in Switzerland at a historic five-star hotel as a Food and Beverage intern, Huyen returned to Vietnam to work as a Sales Intern at UT Trading and Services Company Limited—a diversified enterprise primarily rooted in the construction sector.

“I chose a different and more complex path with a broader purpose,” she explains. “I wanted to challenge myself and expand my business perspective.”

Her decision reflects the business-driven foundation of a César Ritz education. Hospitality leadership extends beyond hotels—it encompasses entrepreneurship, strategy, and cross-industry expertise. By stepping outside the conventional path, Huyen demonstrated initiative and strategic thinking, equipping herself with a broader understanding of sales, negotiation, and corporate dynamics.

Launchpad celebrates stories like hers, reminding students that leadership sometimes requires taking the road less traveled.

Pursuing Passion in St. Moritz

In the iconic alpine destination of St. Moritz, Paolo De Gregorio completed his internship as a Front Office Intern at Hotel Grace La Margna.

His advice is simple yet profound:

“The first thing is that you have to like what you do. Hospitality is not an easy industry; you need to be ready to commit yourself fully. Every position has its own difficulties. You need to know how to deal with different types of guests, especially guests from different cultures. Therefore, be passionate, make mistakes and learn from them.”

Front office roles demand emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and resilience. Welcoming guests from around the world, Paolo developed confidence in navigating diverse expectations while maintaining impeccable service standards.

His story reinforces a fundamental truth: leadership is cultivated through commitment, reflection, and a willingness to grow.

Why Launchpad Matters

For prospective students and parents, Launchpad offers an authentic window into the César Ritz experience. It illustrates how internships:

• Accelerate professional development
• Foster global mobility and cross-cultural competence
• Build leadership confidence through hands-on responsibility
• Connect students with prestigious international brands
• Encourage entrepreneurial and strategic thinking

Internships are not add-ons to academic study; they are integral to it. They transform theoretical knowledge into lived experience and help students translate ambition into action.

Launchpad captures these moments of transformation—when uncertainty becomes clarity, when challenges become stepping stones, and when students begin to see themselves not just as learners, but as future leaders.

Learn to Lead, Lead to Succeed

The launch of Launchpad represents more than a new publication. It symbolizes our continued commitment to experiential learning, student voice, and leadership development.

At César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, we prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global industry. Through internships across Switzerland, Dubai, London, Vietnam, and beyond, our students build the adaptability, resilience, and strategic insight that define exceptional leaders.

As you turn the pages of Launchpad, you will encounter stories of courage, ambition, and growth. You will see how our students embrace opportunity—sometimes in familiar luxury settings, sometimes in unexpected industries—and emerge stronger, more focused, and ready to lead.

We invite you to explore the first edition of Launchpad and discover how experiential learning sets our students on a trajectory of success.

Because at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, leadership does not wait for graduation.

It begins now.

Read Launchpad Now