SMKN 8 Makassar in London

All starts when the Chairman of the School Council got an e-mail from Mr. Philippe Krenzer, the Assistant Executive Manager of Savoy Hotel. Preparation are made and selecting students started with the priority of those who had an overseas hotel attachment training in Singapore and Malaysia.

As the management of the school also preparing a new study program; namely the D1 (One year Diploma), it was decided than to prepare a joined and a link program. Exchange of e-mails and all information for the preparation was directly prepared and made under the co-ordination of the School Council and the Human Resource Manager of Savoy Hotel; Ms. Beth Aarons, while at the campus Ms. Siti Saenab, the Vice Principal of SMKN 8 Makassar in charge of Curriculum and Coordinator for Overseas Hotel Attachment Training testing the students who are being the candidates for this first Europe program. This program is the first in Indonesia, although with the experiences that the SMKN 8 Makassar has; also the first Indonesian Vocational Education Institution that has placed her students in Singapore, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Penang since 1996, for her overseas hotel attachment training program, a perfect preparation should be prepared to avoid complains and misunderstanding between the industry, school, students, parents and Government Official involve in this program. 7 students were selected, including Muhammad Munir whom is actually planned to have his training at the Holiday Inn Center Rotterdam Hotel; but due to delay of his stay permit in the Netherlands, even the work permit his been issued, he was than switch to London. These 7 students are: Mr. Muhammad Munir, Miss. Salmiah Rahmatullah, Miss Dolly Herman, Miss Fatmawaty, Miss Siti Syamsuri, Miss Weny and Miss Nurbaity. They were trained all directly nd under the supervision of the School Council and also by Mr. Francis da Silva from the Indonesia Australian Partnership for Hospitality Skill Development.

After the hotel in London sent it's confirmation to accept the students on the two year term, with an annual salary of £ 9,500 and the work permit was sent to Makassar. The process of requesting the visa at the British Embassy in Jakarta, where smooth as all documents required are well prepared. Miss Parna for the Department of National Education is a big support, as she always assist SMKN 8 Makassar in arranging the visa request to Malaysia. But due to the busy school program and facing that the students has to go to London as soon as possible as requested by the Hotel, the School Council and the Management of SMKN 8 Makassar decided to send also Miss Rosana, instructor of Food and Beverage Service, to arrange the visa and approval of work permit at the British Embassy in Jakarta. These all done within a day.

Mr. H.Z.B. Palaguna giving advice to us

Good bye my friends, whish us luck

Miss. Wenny, Miss Fatma and Miss Dolly listening to Mr. Palaguna's advice.

Students wardrobes were also taken care, as the student will arrive in late spring, where the weather in London will be still cold. Long jackets for the female students are prepared by the dress making department of SMKN 8 Makassar and a special scarf is designed by SMKN 1 Gowa; vocational school for handcraft in Gowa. While for Muhammad Munir a special man's jacket and suites are prepared also. All these designs has to show the characteristics of the Indonesian Vocationalschools uniform.

Mr. H.Z.B. Palaguna giving "pocket money to Miss Siti Syamsuri

Mr. Ainus Balohe our School Principal writing down advices of the governor.

My Mommy (left) at my departure to London

Meetings are arrange with the parents of the students to inform what the students are going to do in London. Where they are going to stay and how the financials will be arrange. The hotel provide the airfare from Makassar to London and the accommodation during their first months will in the hotel employee quarters, which they have to pay £ 135,00 a month including 3 times meal.

Paying the fiscal of one million Rupiah

Departing from "Hasanuddin" Airport

Listening to the music

A day after their final examination on May 31st. 2001 at 11.00 a.m, 7 hours before their departure to Singapore, the students and the Management of the School were invited by Mr. H.Z.B. Palaguna at the Governor's Office for a farewell briefing. They each got also Rp. 1.000.000,-- as pocket money. As usually Mr. Palaguna, who always take care of these students who are very familiar to their beloved Governor, give them advice that they are not only representing South Sulawesi in Great Britain, but also Indonesia. They have to do their upper best to show the European Hospitality Community especially the Savoy Hotel that their good Indonesian workers. He also adviced the students to take good care for their health and have always pray to the Almighty for strength.

Head of Provincial Education Office and Head of Vocational Education

Mr. Asri, Head of Provincial Vocational Education Office among us

Pray for strength and health together with Mr. Palaguna

At 03.00 p.m. all students left the School to the International Airport of Makassar "Hasanuddin". After saying good bye to their parents, friend and paying the Rp. 1.000.000,-- fiscal; as the Ministry of Finance does not give any reduction for the students in Makassar, they enter the waiting room. The Silk Air, flight MI/BO 322 flying Airbus A319 took off at 05.50 p.m from "Hasanuddin" Airport to "Changi" Airport. This flight took 2 hours and 40 minutes.