J-1 Internship Launch

The Boma International Hospitality College (BIHC) – fully owned by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), on 24th April 2018 unveiled 18 students who are scheduled to travel to the United States of America (USA) for internship. The 18 students were selected by the American Hospitality Academy (AHA) after undergoing a rigorous process. Since the school began in 2015, this will be the first group to travel to the US under the J1 Visa internship Program.Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, BIHC Principal Mr. Gianfranco Astori commended the job well done. “I am so proud of my students for they have shown great commitment and passion in their career. As you head out there for your internship you not only going for the learning experience but also an opportunity to interact, network and to explore different cultures in the hospitality industry” said Mr. Gianfranco. The JI Visa internship program offers opportunities to foreign students to visit the U.S to gain exposure and receive hands on experience in their chosen occupation area. The BIHC curriculum places great emphasis on internship program as part of the training at the college with a minimum 15 weeks required for completion of each academic year. 

Present during the event is Gina Din-Kariuki, Chair of the College Board, Goodwill Ambassador - Kenya Red Cross Society and the Founder and Executive Chair of the Gina Din Group. “I urge the selected students to take this as an opportunity for learning and using the skills and knowledge gained through Boma International Hospitality College to excel even further. This will expose you to the hospitality industry and world as a whole, embrace it and make the best out of it,” said Gina Din-Kariuki.Over the past years, the college has seen students pursue internships in 5 and 4 star hotels in Kenya, Africa and beyond. The goal of the school is to provide competitive theoretical and practical courses in both culinary and management studies, nurturing interest and careers in the hospitality industry. To date, it has attracted students from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mayotte, China and the United States of America. The Chief Guest at the event was Permanent Secretary for Tourism Mrs. Fatuma Hirsi Mohamed. Mrs. Fatuma Hirsi Commended the school for the great strides taken thus far pointing out that not so many colleges offer such exposure for their students. “These young men and women have a great opportunity to experience the American hospitality culture and hopefully come back to us and contribute to the ever-growing Kenyan hospitality industry. I note with pride that most of you will be attached at the Theodore Roosevelt Hotel in North Dakota, Beechmont Country Club in Ohio, and Hollywood Golf Club in New Jersey among other prestigious hotels,” said Mrs. Fatuma Hirsi.