World Expo 2020 in Dubai

A golden opportunity for EHTL students

First held in 1851 in London, at the Crystal Palace, a world exhibition can today evoke the Eiffel Tower in Paris (1889), the Atomium in Brussels (1958), or the Gëlle Fra flying to China to be exhibited in front of the Luxembourg pavilion at the Universal Exhibition in Shanghai (2010).

In 2020, some pupils and students of the Luxembourg School of Hotel Management and Tourism will have the unique opportunity to participate in the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, not as mere visitors, but as committed actors contributing to represent Luxembourg. Maggy Nagel, General Commissioner for Expo 2020 Dubai, who was present in Diekirch on Monday 25 February, explained her desire, from the outset, to associate the EHTL with this world-class event. Indeed, as indicated on the models and plans for the future Luxembourg pavilion, a restaurant will occupy a privileged place within this structure whose elegant silhouette is inspired by the Möbius ribbon. Selected pupils and students will take on tasks in the kitchen, in service and in the reception of visitors.

The young people are aware that participating in a World Expo is a unique international experience, an invaluable cultural enrichment and a great asset on their CVs. Francis Ries, who was in charge of the team of guides and responsible for VIP visits at Expo ’92 in Seville, testified to the impact this experience had on his professional career and his private life: he literally fell in love with Andalusia and Spain and was one of those who came to work for six months but never left. Now a professor at the University of Seville, he explains that his life would not have been the same without his participation in this exhibition commemorating, at the time, the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. Hence his appeal to EHTL pupils and students: ‘Don’t hesitate to seize this wonderful opportunity to live an extraordinary adventure!’

However, places are scarce and only those candidates who stand out for their motivation, application, maturity and willingness to make an effort will have a chance to be selected to go to Dubai for six to ten weeks to work, learn and discover the world.

The Luxembourg pavilion in Dubai.
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