Dear prospective student,
As you can imagine, it took a lot of serious thinking and even more severe research before I decided to part with the money I saved. I wanted to be sure that I was making the right decision. Becoming a professional butler was my dream. I could only spend my money once. So, coming from China, I first decided to visit the Butler schools out there, even though I was sure that The International Butler Academy stood out from everything else.
The Academy's website provides all the information you could want, but it's hard to ignore what the other websites say.
Writing something on a website is easy, and after visiting TIBA and the other schools, I could quickly determine that most other schools lie or, at the very least, state untrue things.
I was very direct with my questions to trainers and/or management. I do not want to write nasty things about other schools, and I am sure that TIBA management would not allow this anyway, but all I can say is PLEASE do your research before spending a small fortune and ending up at a place where you will be miserable.
To illustrate what I mean, while I was at TIBA, a small group of students from another school, not that far away, visited TIBA and asked TIBA management to assist them in taking the school they were attending to court to get their money back. I can only deduce that these students did not do their research. TIBA management declined to get involved. They offered these students a significantly reduced tuition fee to help, but as you can imagine, that was not an option for them as they had no money to spare. So very sad. No idea what came of these people.
Ultimately, I had only one option left, and I decided to attend The International Butler Academy. TIBA changed my life. The program was demanding, and there were moments when I would almost give up, but I made it to the end. For more information, you can read the other reference letters on the TIBA website. You should. My letter here contains only one message for you. I am not writing about the incredible building, the excellent trainers, the fabulous food, all the events organized for the students, or even the fantastic field trips. My message to you is simple.
Do your research. Visit if at all possible. You can then make the right decision. I visited TIBA, joined the students for lunch (away from anyone from school so I could speak freely), and then spent some time at school. I also received a tour of the building and saw the student accommodation, which was very important. You will find that TIBA is the way to go. Please take my word for it. I could not have made a better choice. I am well on my way to living the life I always dreamed about; as a professional butler. A dream that was made possible by the only true school for butlers in the world. I am so very proud to be an Ambassador of TIBA.
Sincerely, Karen Xiao - China
Graduate of The International Butler Academy - July 2016