Hi! I am Alyssa Leger, majoring in hospitality management, travel, and tourism. I am planning on doing a master’s in mega event. Hospitality has been a passion of mine for several years. I always watched and worked alongside my mother, who is a wedding and event planner. Her passion and devotion to her career inspired me to pursue a similar path. I also have my uncle, a private chef, with whom I work as a server. Working in the family business allows me to gain more experience in the hospitality sector, such as planning events and decorating weddings and birthday parties.
Traveling has always been my dream, and I plan on pursuing it with everything I have. Since I was young, I have always told my mother I would one day live in London, England, or Australia. Why did I choose those two countries? I do not know. I only have this sense of purpose and attraction to them that I have always found fascinating. After a couple of years of dreaming of going to one of my top destinations, I am genuinely grateful to have this amazing chance to study Hospitality in London. I can study my passion while visiting my dream city for the first time.
London is one of the most popular cities in the world and is known for its culture, history, loyalty, landmarks, and much more. When I think of London, what comes to mind is professionalism, kindness, refinement, tradition, and luxury. However, I have often heard people mention that individuals in London are not particularly friendly. As for the hospitality part, I think it will be professional, efficient, and welcoming. I want to explore how service differs from English pubs to luxurious hotels and restaurants. Moreover, I am also interested in how costly living in London is and how much it differs from living in the United States.
Lastly, in British culture, afternoon tea is also said to have a special place, and I am fascinated to observe how this custom is incorporated into day-to-day activities. Does it continue to be a significant social custom for the locals, or is it mostly a tourist attraction? I would like to see if it is more of a cultural holdover or lives up to its reputation as a crucial component of British hospitality. I also hope that experiencing the afternoon tea will let me experience the traditional British grace I have seen in shows like Bridgerton.
During this study abroad, I want to project values like curiosity, professionalism, exploration, gratitude, and open-mindedness. I want to learn and explore as much as possible about London and the hospitality industry to gain more experience and perspective. Through writing and vlogging, I will reflect my brand by being authentic and posting and vlogging about the culture, the cuisine, my opinion, and reflections. I will definitely include the fun moments as well. Additionally, through participation, I will be attentive, ask questions, be curious, and be open to learning.
By the end of this experience, I hope to have visited London’s most iconic landmarks and taken wonderful pictures everywhere I went to have as many memories as possible, especially a picture of me near the Tower of London! I intend to fully immerse myself in the local way of life by trying different foods, experiencing unusual customs, and getting a taste of everyday life. Above all, this journey will help me develop personally and increase my self-assurance and open-mindedness. I want to enjoy this trip, have great stories to tell, and make it unforgettable!