Beginning in the fall, Danish students will travel to Solvang to learn about American hospitality, thanks to an agreement between Allan Hancock College and Copenhagen Hospitality College. The college’s leaders signed a contract on March 15 that will allow Danish students ages 18 to 25 to study culinary arts and tourism services stateside.
Copenhagen Hospitality College is northern Europe’s largest vocational college in the hospitality field. Founded more than 90 years ago, the college offers numerous programs worldwide, which range in length from several months to four years.
According to a press release from Allan Hancock College, Danish students will touch down in California before the start of the fall semester on Sept. 4, with more students expected to arrive for the spring semester. The Danish students, who will be fluent in English, will live in the Solvang area.
The program is open to locals and students as well.
Jose M. Ortiz, Hancock’s superintendent/president, believes this contract is beneficial on many fronts.
“It meets our goal of expanding hospitality training and economic development in the valley, it supports global awareness and cultural competencies for our faculty and students, and provides an innovative approach to new revenue sources,” he said in a statement.
According to Ortiz, the influx of these students will boost the college’s resources because international students are expected to pay a higher tuition than in-state students. These funds stay with the college and, as a result, increase revenue.
Courses being taught this fall include principles of foods, beverage management, basic nutrition for health, food, nutrition, and customs and culture.
“[Copenhagen Hospitality College] is excited and honored to be introducing the foundation of culinary curriculum to our Nordic students in collaboration with Allan Hancock College and the Danish-American community of Solvang,” college president Soren Dahl K. Kristiansen said in a statement after signing the contract.
Ardis Neilsen, an academic dean at Allan Hancock College, said this partnership has been a year in the making.
“There has been tremendous support from the entire Solvang community, and it wouldn’t have been possible without their dedication to making it happen,” Neilsen said.
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 5, 2012.