Chaplin School students Marina Boulanger, Leira Fombrun, and Jonathan Rosa were selected to represent FIU at the 2015 International Hotel School Student Challenge in Amsterdam last month. Hotelschool the Hague hosted the competition where students from 10 top hotel schools from around the world were tasked with developing an innovative and sustainable hotel concept that was relevant and applicable to an assigned hotel chain.During the three-day innovation summit, the FIU delegation and others were separated into culturally diverse teams to encourage interaction with other students and, in the process, gain exposure to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives. Industry professionals and executives provided workshops, lectures, and coaching to inform the ideation process.Marina Boulanger, junior and vice-president of the Student Hotel Club, learned a great deal about the value of a diverse team in solving a complex problem."The cultural differences were unbelievable," Marina said about her team. "Every student brought something unique and different to the table. All of them were incredibly smart and really brought all aspects of their personalities to the challenge."The process was an enlightening experience for senior Leira Fombrun as well. She serves as president for both the Student Hotel Club and FIU's chapter of the American Hotel & Lodging Association."I learned that guest experience is no longer about just checking in a customer and providing them with a place to stay, it’s about enhancing their experience and providing personalized customer service," she said. "Let’s make it more than just a bed. Let’s give our guest a platform to meet other people, to learn about a city’s culture and its locals, all within the walls of the hotel. Let’s make it their home away from home."On the final day of the summit, each [...]