The adage “absence makes the heart grow fonder” does not apply to Bhavika and Rahul. They are “Better Together”.

7 months into their marriage, the young couple took the leap to pursue their studies abroad,  in Singapore. The course they have chosen for themselves was Diploma in Hospitality (Cafe Operation) with Baking Industry Training College (BITC).

Hailing from Gujarat, the couple arrived in Singapore in February 2020 having never traveled out of India before; but they had each other to depend on in a foreign land, facing a new milestone in their lives. 

They credit their lecturers and staff at BITC for helping them to adjust to life in Singapore quickly. Settled in an apartment at Geylang Bahru, the couple started their course with enthusiasm. Fellow students were missing home and loved ones but not for Bhavika and Rahul, they were experiencing everything for the first time as a couple. There is no better way to strengthen the relationship than to experience new things together. The couple dived headfirst into their institutional training. They particularly enjoyed the Food and Beverage modules of their course, specifically the Food and Beverage Module –  Pastry & Baking Techniques.

Despite the pandemic, the college secured Industrial Attachment (IA) for all of its Diploma students. IA is an important and integral part of their course as they will be able to apply the knowledge and skills they’ve learned in a real-world setting. For  Bhavika and Rahul, the college’s IA manager successfully secured their internship at a café for both of them. 

The couple’s internship at Crust Bistro in the east of Singapore proved to be a valuable experience for them. They applied all that they have learned to the workplace and learn to work together as a couple. Sharing the experience of working together with your better half can be exciting, scary, fun, daunting, and powerful all at the same time. Their off days on Mondays were spent lazing by the pool (they now rented a room in a condominium across from the bistro, courtesy of the bistro’s owner), walking by the beach (5 mins from the bistro), and exploring the sights and sounds of Singapore.  

Bhavika & Rahul dream of opening a cafe someday. A dream that is within reach. They believe with the knowledge acquired through the 6 months of institutional training at BITC and the experience they have gained during their internship, they are confident of starting a business together.