Essays

Aniska Barton - 2004
Final Year Student studying for a BSC in Tourism at Florida International University.

I have always been interested in Tourism as it is the mainstay of the economy of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas - my home. From the age of 15 I always dreamt of becoming the General Manager or Owner of a hotel in the Bahamas. I love the idea of welcoming people to my beautiful home and making sure that they enjoyed themselves so much that they would definitely come back.

In June of 1999, I enrolled in the Hospitality Operations Associate's Degree program at the Bahamas Hotel Training College. (BHTC) I have worked as a Front Office Assistant at Orange Hill Beach Inn a local resort in Nassau. In addition, I completed my internship at The Great Abaco Beach Resort - on one of the islands, which make up our archipelago, having worked in all departments.

I enrolled in Florida International University in 2003 to pursue my Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management. I chose this University because in January 2003, its School of Hospitality was ranked number 1 - I wanted to be trained by the best! The courses I have taken thus far have sharpened skills learnt at BHTC and given me insight into the tourism sector.

At F.I.U, I have had the chance to work at two of the schools' biggest events - The Angostura Fete and The South Beach Wine & Food Festival. I was able to meet some of the world's greatest Chefs and Wine Connoisseurs as well as work with people of different cultures as a team.

I am extremely grateful for the Bahamas Hotel Association for submitting my application and the Caribbean Hotel Association for granting me this scholarship. I will continue my studies and then go on to work in the Bahamas. I intend also to pursue postgraduate studies.

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