Inês Alexandra Teixeira

I left each conversation energized by new perspectives and a shared ambition to aim higher.

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by luxury hospitality. I have always imagined creating experiences that go beyond service, places where every guest feels deeply cared for and where small details turn into memories that last. That vision has stayed with me as a constant goal, even when my academic path seemed far from it. 

Before the summer program, I had just graduated in Aerospace Engineering from TU Delft, a rigorous degree that strengthened my discipline and problem-solving skills. Focusing only on the quantitative side, however, left me searching for something more human. Right now, I am learning how businesses grow, how capital moves, and what makes investors say yes, so that one day I can channel that knowledge into my own hospitality project. Through the Global Economic Transformation and Technology master’s with EDHEC, Imperial College, and ESMT, alongside a career in finance, I aim to build a foundation that ensures financial clarity does not diminish the magic in hospitality but instead protects it and helps it scale. 

The summer program at HEC Paris and EHL became the bridge between these worlds. At HEC, I explored how luxury is anchored in values and storytelling, and how to define a precise promise to the guest and deliver it consistently. At EHL, I learned how to translate that promise into moments a guest can feel. From fine-dining masterclasses, where we saw service mapped as choreography with a purpose behind every action, to oenology sessions analyzing flavor profiles to guide pairings, I began to understand the complexity behind what seems effortless in practice. 

For two weeks I was fortunate to be surrounded by ambitious participants from around the world, traveling between two countries with people I had just met and quickly came to call friends. I left each conversation energized by new perspectives and a shared ambition to aim higher. Professors and guest speakers, accomplished leaders in the field, offered valuable industry insights. 

The most rewarding part was our final group project, a curated experience concept for Tiffany & Co. at Four Seasons Cap-Ferrat, which was nominated for presentation. In all, these two weeks gave me academic structure and helped me rediscover my purpose.

Learn more about this joint Summer Program with EHL