News from The Mahurin Honors College
Caroline Glass Explores Global Hospitality and Cuisine in France and Belgium
- Nina Marijanovic
- Monday, September 8th, 2025

For Caroline Glass, a WKU student from Mayfield, Kentucky, the opportunity to study abroad didn’t come easily—but it was worth every delay. A hospitality management major with minors in meeting and convention planning and business administration, Caroline spent two weeks this summer on WKU’s Global Hospitality and Cuisine course in France and Belgium.
The group spent their first week in Paris, followed by several days in Lyon, France and then Bruges, Belgium. Along the way, students explored historic sites, met industry professionals, and sampled regional cuisine. “We got to see a lot of the French countryside and try some really delicious food—it was amazing,” Caroline said.
This wasn’t Caroline’s first attempt at the program. “My freshman year, I found out about the trip too late. Sophomore year I got accepted, but too few people registered. So I was determined this past year to go.” She even helped promote the program to her peers to ensure enough interest. “I raised the money I needed, applied for scholarships, and finally got to go. We had more than enough people—around 19 or 20.”
With a background in hospitality, Caroline was especially excited to connect classroom learning to real-world settings. “We met with a local conference events team, a boutique hotel owner in Paris who created a contemporary art hotel, went on a couple river cruises, and took some pastry and cooking classes.” But the standout moment came when they visited a high-end restaurant. “Even though I’m not necessarily going into restaurants, I have a passion for cooking and understanding how a kitchen runs. It was really interesting to hear from a professional and see the influence the French have on cuisine.”
Her favorite takeaway from the program was seeing how interconnected the hospitality world really is. “Whether you're going into event planning, hotels, or restaurants—it's all connected. You have to coordinate across every piece of the local hospitality scene. If not, you're not prepared.” That insight was especially relevant, as Caroline was completing a summer internship helping organize a 20,000-person conference. “I’m working with their premier hospitality team and getting to see how we communicate with cities and vendors. This trip gave me new context for everything I’m doing now.”
She also took note of the differences in service and hospitality abroad. “In France, they’re not trying to flip tables because they’re not working for tips—they have a livable wage. So dining becomes more about the experience. You’re given time and space to enjoy the conversation, community, and food.” Caroline noted the contrast with American norms. “Because of the different focus on dining experiences, there was a learning curve with going out to eat and interacting with restaurant servers because they were not constantly checking on your table.”
Even with those differences, she valued the chance to see how culture shapes service and hospitality. “One thing I saw done really well was how the French and Belgians focus on the heritage of the place—the people who brought forth what we're experiencing now.” She noted how the French honor their famous chefs and the Belgians keep tradition in the way they brew beer.
As she enters her final year at WKU, Caroline is already thinking about her next travel plans. “I’d love to continue traveling to see how hospitality is done in other cultural contexts.” She hopes to explore more cooking classes, try new cuisines, and see more historical sites—always considering how these small aspects of a country’s culture impact the tourism industry.
Her advice for other students is simple: “Don’t feel discouraged if it doesn’t work out the first time. I had to try for three years. But WKU has such a great global learning program, that offers such great support. If you go abroad, you’re going to get something out of it—whatever trip you end up on.”
For Caroline, the program was more than a trip abroad. It was a hands-on, globally connected look at the career she’s already building—and a reminder that hospitality is about more than service. It’s about culture, connection, and making people feel like they belong.
For students interested in exploring their study abroad options, stop by the Global Learning Fair on SEPT 17, 2025 from 10AM - 2PM in the Multipurpose Rm. of the Honors College and International Center. Learn more: WKU Global | Western Kentucky University
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