Hotel Management Institute / Sheds College, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

Up here in Solan, the air feels a bit different. Our college is near the New Stand, so it’s easy to find if you’re coming into town by bus. We are known as the Hotel Management Institute or Sheds College. Since we are in Himachal Pradesh, we get a lot of students who are interested in the tourism and hospitality trade. The building has a view of the hills, which is nice when you need a break from the books. Inside, it’s quite busy. We have areas where students practice cooking and serving, and it can get a bit loud with the clinking of plates and pots. It’s hands-on work. We don’t spend all day just sitting at desks. The weather in Solan changes quickly, so some days we are clearing away rain and other days it’s bright and clear. We keep things pretty informal here. The staff and the students talk to each other like neighbors. We’ve been near the New Stand for a long time now. It’s a practical place to learn how to run a hotel or a kitchen. We don't have fancy brochures with big promises. People come here because they want to work in hotels, and we show them what that really looks like. It’s a lot of standing on your feet and learning the ropes. We just do our best to keep everything running smoothly every day.