Learning to lead: A Hospitality Business Leadership experience across two continents
My study experience at SP Jain Global has been intense, practical, and genuinely eye-opening. The environment pushes you to think like a leader. Classes focus on real business problems, so whatever you learn feels connected to the industry, not just theory. The faculty blends academic knowledge with real experience, which helps you make better decisions instead of just memorising concepts.
The pace of the Hospitality Business Leadership (HBL) program stands out. You learn to work under pressure, prioritise quickly, and communicate clearly. Group projects feel like real organisational life: different people, different backgrounds, one goal. Handling that builds confidence and maturity.
Industry insights that bridge classroom and corporate reality
One memorable highlight was a webinar with an L&D Manager from Taj SATS, an Asset Manager from Canada, and one of our best digital marketing professors, who also runs his own business. That session showed how classroom learning and industry reality come together. It helped me understand how strategy, operations, and leadership work in different markets.
Overall, SP Jain Global has strengthened how I think, how I work, and how I approach challenges. It has been a meaningful step in shaping my path in hospitality and business.
Living and learning hospitality in Switzerland
Studying hospitality in Switzerland has felt like living inside the very industry we’re learning about. Everything here is organised, thoughtful, and built with a sense of quiet luxury. It’s the perfect backdrop for understanding what high standards truly mean.
A diverse academic experience at Glion
Academically, Glion has been interesting without being too intense. The learning feels practical and balanced; you get the time and space to think, reflect, and connect ideas to real experiences. What really makes it richer is the mix of people. Every class brings together students from different countries, backgrounds, and even industries. That diversity changes how you think. You start to see how culture shapes communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Another strength here is the networking. You never know who you will meet classmates, guest speakers, visiting executives – every interaction can lead to a door being opened. Many of our professors have come directly from the industry, and their insights carry with them the weight of real-world experience. Assignments are a good balance between individual and group work; the group projects, in particular, push you to adapt and work with different styles and perspectives.
The campus itself is in a smaller Swiss town, peaceful but fully connected. Everything a student might need is conveniently close by, and Glion’s own facilities – from study rooms and the library to the student lounge – make it easy to work, meet, or simply unwind. There’s always something happening: guest lectures, career events, wine tastings, and networking sessions. I even met the CEO of Mandarin Oriental during one of the speaker events, which was an incredible moment.
One of the best experiences was a trip to the mountains, ending with a traditional Swiss dinner, which was organised for HBL students. It felt very personal and thoughtful – the kind of touch Glion does well. Another highlight was Career Day, bringing together recruiters and leaders from some of the best hospitality brands. It’s this kind of exposure that makes everything we learn feel connected to where we want to go next.
A truly global community
Overall, Glion has been more than a study experience; it’s been a global community. The learning extends far beyond the classroom, and the people you meet here shape how you see the world and the industry.
About the Author
Aditya Deepak successfully completed his Hospitality Business Leadership (HBL) program from SP Jain Global (HBL 2025 intake). He then progressed to Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland to graduate with a Master of Hospitality Business Leadership (MScHBL).
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