Week 1 at Les Roches

The first week was a definite cocktail of emotions! I expected the emotions, but I did not actually feel the emotions until I got here. I was exhausted after a solid twenty four hours of traveling, completely miserably dirty, and all I wanted was the comfort of my friends and family here with me. I knew I was a big girl and that this is the time of my life where my eyes become stretched out and open to what the world has to offer.

Classes are pretty intense. We are not allowed to show up on campus without a full business suit on from the hours of 6:30am to 6:30pm. As we all know, this is not exactly my cup of tea when it comes to attire. The girl who showed up to class barely wearing running shorts for four straight years and got in trouble periodically for not abiding by the rules of sorority pin attire every Tuesday is now stuck in a business suit all day, five times a week!

On top of the business suit, we have lockers where we lock up all of our stuff to go eat. The most common place to eat is the Market Place. Here, there is an abundant of pastries to bacon in the mornings, a three course meal for lunch, and a four course meal at dinner. You are not allowed to go eat unless you have 2, 4, 6, or 8 people with you for lunch and you have to plan a day in advance by 3:30pm if you choose to eat there the following day. Pretty precise, ey!

I live in Crans-Montana, which is north up the mountain about ten minutes. This means I have to plan my arrival at Les Roches according to the bus system. Welcome to work/study! As for my actual studies, I am taking several classes that include: Food Production and Service Operations (where I actually cook for the school, and serve each Wednesday at various restaurants on campus), Food and Beverage Operations Management (learning how to operate each kind of food services), basic French, Operatonal Human Resource Management, and Financial Management. During the week is all work, no room for play and barely room for a good Swiss run...but I definitely will make room for some fresh air, of course!

I went to Geneva this past weekend. I am working on uploading pictures on Facebook, but for some reason it is being really difficult at the moment. Everything is going well here. I am sitting here in between classes with Simone, from Italy, William from UK, and Sophie from France. They are reading up on the class that we are about to go to, but I couldn't stand it any longer not to blog! Mom and Dad, I promise I am studying...just not at this moment in time!

As things begin to fall into place, I have realized how fortunate I am to have such amazing people in my life. My comfort level is of course you all who are reading this blog. I have begun to become accustomed to the style here. Everyone here is so kind and nice, but I guess that is why I chose the hospitality industry. I love it so much, and I cannot wait to share with you all what I am learning here. It is very exciting!

I am still pretty homesick, but now that things have begun to pick up speed it is really hard to cry...I guess this is good. I think about you all each and every day...I wonder what you all are doing, each of your mental stability levels, and if everyone is happy...or just need a shoulder to cry on. I can promise no matter how far away I am, I am still here for each of you. Just a phone call or e-mail away. I hope all is well over the pond. One more thing, my mailing address changed slightly. If you have any inquiries, just shoot me an e-mail at BeccaACook@gmail.com and I will gladly tell you further details!

Love,
Becca