In November 2024, Rzeszów became a place of learning and work for a group of students from Budapest, from BKSZC Mándy Iván Szakképző Iskola, who joined us for a two-week VET programme.
Their daily routine looked different from school life. Instead of classrooms and textbooks, there was a real restaurant kitchen, a fast-paced environment, and guests at the tables. The students completed their placements at Capella Restaurant & Lobby Lounge, where they could see how a restaurant operates from the inside. They supported food preparation, worked with guests, and explored different aspects of gastronomy, from the kitchen to service.
Work was an important part of the programme, but not the only one. During their stay, the students also took part in language workshops and interactive sessions in our space. These were led by European Solidarity Corps volunteers, who shared their experiences and cultures. It was a time for conversations, shared activities, and a chance to slow down and get to know each other better.
Projects like this show something that is difficult to learn in a classroom. Working in a new place, in another country, and in an international environment allows participants to look at their future profession from a different perspective.
We would like to thank Capella Restaurant & Lobby Lounge, the teachers, and the students from BKSZC Mándy Iván Szakképző Iskola for these two weeks together. We hope that their time in Rzeszów was not only an opportunity to learn, but also an experience that will stay with them for a long time.
The project was made possible thanks to funding from the European Union.
