Five students from the University of Bohol College of Hospitality Management, Tourism and Nutrition (CHMTN) bid farewell as they embarked on  an enriching internship experience in Japan.The departure was  graced by school officials,  including Dr. LemuelO. Belarmino, Dean of Student Personnel Services, Mrs. EdezaM.Tabigue, OIC, Scholarship Employment Facilitation Office, and  Ms. Beryl Elizabeth B. Lupot, Executive Secretary on March 12, 2024, at Panglao International Airport, Bohol. 

UB President Dr. Victoriano B. Tirol, III, and Dr. Maricel A. Tirol, Vice President for Finance, personally accompanied the first batch of Hospitality Management interns from Bohol to Manila. Alongside them, Ms. JaneDoren A. Bungabong, Dean of the College of Hospitality Management, Tourism and Nutrition, supervised the students as they weresent off to Narita International Airport, Japan. The group was escorted by Mr. James Emmanuel Tabigue, Marketing Head, and Community Extension Services Officer, to ensure a smooth transition from Manila to Japan.

Upon arrival, the UB team received a warm welcome from Masato Horiuchi, General Manager of Tokyu Hotels Group. Following an orientation session, where they were provided with company uniforms and accommodated in dormitories, the interns were briefed on their specific assignments. Before commencing their duties, on March 18, 2024, the interns went to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo for a courtesy call and formal  registration  as Filipino student interns in Japan. Following this, they were treated to a tour of theHakuba Area, anticipating a memorable and rewarding internship experience ahead. 

In Japan, Tabigue engaged in a series of meetings with top executives from other hotels, where they expressed their intention to welcome more batches of student interns from the university. The Japanese hoteliers are planning to visit Bohol and the university within this year to explore further collaboration opportunities. (Leo Armando B. Boncales)