Hallam teams up with historic Colorado hotel to launch international internship programme

7th February 2017

Sheffield Hallam University has teamed up with the historic Stanley Hotel, which inspired horror novelist Stephen King to write The Shining, to launch an international internship programme.

The unique 'live-learn-earn' partnership between the University's Sheffield Business School and the hotel in Estes Park, Colorado got underway this week. Sixteen International Hospitality Management and International Hotel and Resort Management students from Hallam flew out to America this week to begin their semester-long placement with the hotel chain. As part of the experience, the students will study and live at the hotel as well as working in various positions giving them a chance meet and engage with guests and work on a number of projects. Unique to the program is the integration of real-world, hands-on learning in conjunction with onsite classroom teaching, delivered virtually by academics at Sheffield Hallam, and a full semester of academic credit. Students will also receive a living wage, campus housing, meals and a range of exciting Colorado outings and excursions. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with local host families to help them feel more at home. Dr Emma Martin, head of the Department of Service Sector Management at Sheffield Hallam, said: -This is more than a traditional internship opportunity, it is a pioneering way we are working with the hospitality industry to break down the traditional boundaries between the classroom and the workplace. "This partnership presents an innovative and flexible degree meeting the needs of and drawing on the strengths of business and academic learning. "The difference is that the students will be leveraging what they learn on the job in a virtual classroom over 4,000 miles away from their peers. -This new partnership also highlights Sheffield Hallam's ambition to be a university for the real world that is operating on a global stage, just as many of our students will be in their future careers. Gregg Rosenstetter, who will oversee the student program for the Stanley, said they were placing a part of the University itself at the hotel not just students. Stanley owner John Cullen added: -We're going to be as inspired as much from these students as they are from us. -It's a win for the hotel, the students and our guests. The hotel was the inspiration for Stephen King's iconic novel, The Shining, after he and his wife stayed a night there in 1974.