Ashville Pupil Headed For World-Leading Hospitality Business School In Swiss Alps

Published by Ashville College on Monday 16th of January 2023

Sixth Former Sofia Tureac, who attends Harrogate independent school Ashville College, has secured an academic scholarship to study at Les Roches, one of the world’s leading hospitality business schools.

Subject to achieving the necessary A Level grades in the Summer, Sofia will be heading to the Swiss Alps to study for a BBA in Global Hospitality Management at Les Roches’ Cras-Montana campus in Switzerland.

Les Roches is known for kick-starting successful hospitality careers, with 94 per cent of its students gaining one or more job offers by the time they graduate, from leading brands such as Apple, Qatar Airways, The Ritz-Carlton, and Louis Vuitton.

Moldovan-born Sofia, who speaks five languages and aspires to run her own chain of hotels one day, described the moment she learnt she’d been accepted into Les Roches.

She said: “I was on holiday at the time and there was a time difference, so I received the news while I was having dinner with my family. I just screamed when I read the email from the interviewer, which came through with the subject line ‘Congratulations’. It was such a great feeling, and I was very proud to be offered a scholarship, because it’s not something many pupils get.”

Sofia was one of the first pupils to benefit from Ashville’s dedicated new ‘Future Ready’ programme, which links opportunities to the World Economic Forum’s future employability skills. The programme offers a range of qualifications designed to support skills development, university applications and preparedness for the world of work, as well as a guest speaker series, leadership opportunities and support for life after Ashville, whether that be with university applications or careers guidance.

Leanne Norton, Head of Sixth Form, said: “Ashville Sixth Form is here to support all pupils to achieve their goals, wherever they may lie. We are delighted for Sofia, whose heart and mind are set on a career in hospitality. To receive an offer from an institution like Les Roches, with its reputation for developing future leaders in the global hospitality sector and creating entrepreneurs, is an incredible achievement.”

Rhiannon Wilkinson, Head of Ashville College, said: “Sofia’s achievement goes to show that our pupils may currently attend school in the town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, but they are global citizens. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to provide the opportunities and support pupils need to fulfil their future aspirations, wherever in the world they may lead.”