BIP Boosting Students’ Employability through the Enhancement of Soft Skills

This Blended Intensive Program (BIP) is a dynamic learning experience designed for third-year Bachelor’s students and first- and second-year Master’s students in the fields of economics, tourism, and hospitality. The program aims to enhance participants’ employability by focusing on the development of essential soft skills while providing practical exposure to the tourism and hospitality industry.

BIP entitled “Boosting Students’ Employability through the Enhancement of Soft Skills” is designed to achieve the following objectives:

• Equip students with essential soft skills—such as communication, teamwork, leadership, cultural awareness, and problem-solving—that are crucial for career success and enhancing employability in the fields of economics, tourism, and hospitality
• Provide students with practical insights into the tourism and hospitality industry through real-world case studies, field visits, and interaction with industry professionals
• Promote interdisciplinary learning
• Develop cultural competence
• Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving
• Encourage collaboration and teamwork

The Blended Intensive Program (BIP) on *Enhancing Employability Through Soft Skills* utilizes a variety of interactive and engaging teaching methods to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The program includes expert-led interactive lectures and workshops that cover key topics such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, featuring role-playing, simulations, and hands-on activities to reinforce learning. Group assignments allow students to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to solve real-world case studies, fostering teamwork and critical thinking. Field visits to businesses and tourist attractions in Opatija and Rijeka, Croatia, offer firsthand industry insights and networking opportunities with professionals. Additionally, problem-based learning through case studies challenges students to propose innovative solutions to practical challenges. Cultural immersion activities introduce students to local customs and traditions, enhancing their intercultural awareness. To support continuous learning, daily reflective assignments help students apply their knowledge, culminating in final presentations and comprehensive reports that showcase their learning outcomes.

By participating in the BIP, students will achieve several key outcomes that contribute to their personal and professional development. The program enhances employability by equipping students with practical skills applicable to real-world settings. It promotes the application of theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, improving problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities. Through collaboration on group projects and industry interactions, students develop teamwork and communication skills crucial for their future careers. The cultural immersion component fosters greater cultural competence, preparing students for work in diverse environments. Additionally, the program raises awareness of sustainability issues within the tourism and hospitality sectors, encouraging responsible professional practices. Ultimately, students will leave the program with a well-rounded skill set, professional insights, and a memorable learning experience that will support their career growth.

Virtual Component:

A preparatory online program conducted over three days (1,5 hour per day). This component introduces students to key concepts related to soft skills, employability, and the tourism and hospitality industry. Through interactive lectures, workshops, and assignments, students will gain foundational knowledge and reflect on their personal skillsets.

Onsite Component:

A five-day immersive experience held in Opatija, Croatia. This component includes interactive workshops, guest lectures, field trips to local businesses, and cultural visits. Students will apply their theoretical knowledge in practical settings, engage with industry professionals, and collaborate on group projects.

Throughout the program, students will work in small groups to solve cases (group projects) within the area of tourism and hospitality sector. They will have to apply their knowledge about the soft skills in order to give a proposal of how to solve the case. Their group project will culminate in a form of a final report and a group presentation. This hands-on assignment is designed to reinforce learning, encourage teamwork, and provide valuable insights into real-world business challenges.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
The Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management is the only faculty in Croatia with a full focus on the education and scientific development in the field of tourism, hospitality industry and sustainable development, which makes it an important factor for the development of the Croatian tourism industry.
Cooperation with other higher education institutions in Croatia and other countries, as well as cooperation with institutions and companies in the private and public sector and civil society are of high importance for maintaining good quality of education and research.
Google Map

Opatija
Opatija, 13 km to the west of Rijeka is situated in the Kvarner bay in a sheltered position at the foot of the mountain Učka. It had been a small, romete fishermen’s village until the middle of the 19th century. Opatija (in German and Italian Abbazia) got its name after the Benedictine abbey situated in the center of Opatija.
The town’s modern history began in the middle of the 19th century, when Villa Angiolina was built.

At that time many celebrities from metropolises of Zagreb, Vienna, and Budapest came to spend time at “Angiolina“ and in Opatija. Opatija became a fashionable destination for the Austrian imperial family and Austrian nobility. Soon the luxury hotels and grand belle époque residences and villas were built. The first luxury hotel – Hotel “Quarnero” (today “Grand Hotel Kvarner”) was built in 1884. The hotel Kronprinzessin Stephanie was opened in 1885. Opatija’s first guide was published in Vienna in 1883 with the title Abbazia, Idylle von der Adria.
For more info please visit https://www.visitopatija.com/en

Lovran
For millennia, Lovran has been a magnetic draw for travelers, enthralling them with its breathtaking coastal vistas that make bidding farewell a challenge. As the oldest settlement along the Opatija Riviera, its roots trace back to the 1st century BC, where legend has it that Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a Roman patrician revered as a statesman, general, and cartographer, selected this locale as his dwelling. Dating back to the 7th century, the town’s earliest reference as Lauriana sheds light on its nomenclature, derived from the fragrant laurel that continues to infuse Lovran’s atmosphere with its distinctive aroma.
Evolving around the fortified mandrać, a harbor linking Lovran to both nearby and distant destinations, the medieval township burgeoned. Naturally, the harbor also enticed adventurers who extolled the beauty and significance of this town nestled where the slopes of Učka meet the
Adriatic Sea.

In the 12th century, Lovran’s shipbuilders and sailors garnered acclaim from the esteemed Arab cartographer al-Idrisi. Centuries later, the illustrious travel writer Johann Valvasor commended the region’s bounty, marveling not only at the aromatic laurel but also at the luscious chestnuts and succulent cherries unique to Lovran. These fruits, unrivaled in flavor, remain foundational to the local gastronomic identity.
For more info please visit https://visitlovran.com/en/home/

The Faculty is located on the coast, making accommodation availability scarce, especially during the spring and summer months. Therefore, we strongly recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible to secure a suitable place to stay.

If you are looking for accommodation near the Faculty, consider searching in the following nearby locations:

• Ika – the small town where the Faculty is located.
• Ičići – a nearby town within close proximity to the Faculty.
• Lovran – approximately a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute ride by bus line 32.
• Opatija – reachable within 20 minutes by bus line 32.
• Rijeka – located 20 kilometers away, with a 55-minute ride on bus line 32 to the Faculty.

If you are arranging your own accommodation, especially if you do not have a car, ensure that your chosen location is within walking distance of the Faculty or has access to bus line 32 for convenient transportation.

Some suggestions near the faculty:

• Hostel Link 7 minutes’ walk to the Faculty; 7 minutes walking distance to the beach.  – LINK
• Hotel Lovran – 12 minutes walking distance to the Faculty, 5 minutes walking distance to the beach.– LINK
• Hotel Excelsior – 12 minutes walking distance to the Faculty, 5 minutes walking distance to the beach.– LINK