CATEGORY:EDUCATION
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By Trevor Thwaites (Inside Grenada correspondent)


ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - “I will return to Grenada to work in the industry. I want to be part of the positive developments taking place. Hotels are going up and thousands are coming regularly to my country. I want to provide them with our unique warmth and hospitality”, 22-year old Cordelia Smith of Happy Hill, St George’s, told us before leaving for Cyprus to pursue studies in the tourism industry. Smith has won a scholarship from the government to pursue a 3-year course in Hotel and Catering Management.

Smith, who graduated from the Happy Secondary School with seven subjects including English, Geography, Agri Science and Principles of Business, said that she was always interested in Business Management and Office Procedure. “My favourite subjects were Principles of Business and Office Procedure. I really wanted to get involved in the tourism or agriculture industry”, she said.

The youngster will be studying at the Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus in Nicosia, aiming to obtain a degree in Hotel and Catering Management. At the moment, she is not sure what will exactly happen after obtaining her degree. But Smith is quite sure that she will be boosting the local tourism product. “I might get a job with one of the top hotels, or I might even open my own business. It depends on the sort of opportunities that are available. I am not worried because there a plenty of openings”, Smith Commented.

The young lady said that she will be a true ambassador while in Cyprus. I will be telling them of the beauty, kind, warm and hospitable people of the Spice Isle. I will be inviting the Cypriots to come visit.” Smith is all geared and ready for the challenge of studying and successfully completing her studies in a country that is far away and different to the many countries that nationals usually study – the USA, England, Canada, Cuba, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Following the passage of Hurricane Ivan, which ravaged the country, the building of the human resource has been a main pillar in the reconstruction efforts. Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, has been seeking opportunities from friendly governments and agencies for higher education for national. 74 students are currently studying in Mexico, 16 in Cuba, 16 in the People Republic of China (PRC) and 12 in Antigua. It is the aim of the government to acquire as many scholarships as it possibly can for nationals.