For many students, university is where dreams begin. For Hope Kabibi, a Second-Year Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management student at Mount Kigali University (MKU), it became the place where one dream took flight, literally. Hope emerged as one of the outstanding winners during the Hospitality and Tourism Conference organised by the University’s School of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management, where RwandAir awarded two exceptional students with an all-expenses-paid trip to Zanzibar, including return flights and hotel accommodation. The award was presented as part of RwandAir’s commitment to nurturing Rwanda’s next generation of tourism and hospitality professionals.
For Hope, the prize meant much more than a holiday. It was her first time travelling outside Rwanda and her first experience flying in Business Class, an unforgettable journey that transformed everything she had been learning in the classroom into a real-world experience. “Winning the RwandAir ticket through our school competition was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was my first time travelling abroad, and what made it even more special was flying Business Class. It was an experience I had only imagined before.”
From the moment she boarded the aircraft to arriving on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar, Hope experienced hospitality from a guest’s perspective, something every tourism professional aspires to understand. During her stay, she explored world-class hospitality facilities, experienced exceptional customer service, enjoyed the beaches, swimming and fitness facilities, and immersed herself in one of East Africa’s leading tourism destinations. “Being in Zanzibar allowed me to see hospitality beyond textbooks. I experienced quality service, different cultures, and world-class tourism firsthand. It has inspired me to dream bigger and work harder because I now understand what excellence in hospitality truly looks like.”
Hope says the opportunity reaffirmed her decision to study at Mount Kigali University. “I sincerely thank Mount Kigali University because it teaches us so well and genuinely cares about its students. The University doesn’t just prepare us for exams; it creates opportunities that change our lives. This experience has motivated me to become an ambassador for Rwanda’s tourism industry.”
She encourages other young people with a passion for tourism and hospitality to consider the programme. “If you want to study tourism and hospitality, Mount Kigali University is the place to be. The lecturers are dedicated, the learning is practical, and the opportunities are real. I am living proof that studying here can open doors you never imagined.”
Hope’s journey from the lecture halls of Mount Kigali University to the shores of Zanzibar reflects the University’s philosophy of learning beyond the classroom. Through strong partnerships with industry leaders such as RwandAir, practical exposure and international experiences, MKU continues to empower students with opportunities that shape careers, broaden horizons and prepare them to become the hospitality leaders of tomorrow. At Mount Kigali University, education goes beyond earning a degree; it is about creating life-changing opportunities that enable students to dream bigger, experience more and make a lasting impact on the world.