Olga Mantilla

Olga Mantilla is one of those people who never stops seeking new opportunities. Originally from Colombia, Olga started her hospitality career in the United States. The charming resort town of Ocean City, Maryland, attracts thousands of tourists from New York, lured by its miles of sandy beaches and lively summer festivals.

A couple of years ago, Olga moved to Prague with her partner. Some might have felt confused by such a move, but Olga took the chance to continue her education in Europe, broaden her knowledge beyond hospitality, and gain a wider view of business strategy. After years of living abroad and working with clients worldwide, Olga sought an international university, and UNYP provided a diverse mix of cultures.

I was also searching for a university where I could build valuable connections for the future – the network you develop is one of the most important benefits of earning a Master’s degree. I found the dual-degree program offered by UNYP in partnership with Bolton University to be highly advantageous. It was great to receive academic input from the UK, combined with everything UNYP had to offer – a perfect blend of two universities. I was particularly interested in the business development aspect of the program; that’s why I chose a concentration in International Management. UNYP’s program is unique, and the American style of teaching, along with a highly international student body, was another major advantage. I couldn’t find all the necessary elements I was looking for in any of the other universities here in Prague.

Hospitality is my passion, and it always will be. The hotel industry has transformed significantly over the past decade. For example, right now the major hotels are looking to expand their presence worldwide by acquiring and opening new properties through franchising.

After completing her first degree at the University Externado in Colombia, Olga interned at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cozumel, Mexico. She began working in the financial department, then moved to sales, and later transitioned to operations, which combined sales with food and beverage. The InterContinental sent Olga for training in the United States for training, where she earned her M.I.C.E. certification as a qualified meeting and wedding planner.

Diploma in hand, Olga moved back to Bogota to work as a food and beverage director at the largest hotel and congress center in the northern part of the city, featuring over 30 meeting rooms, 300 rooms, and a gastronomy center with four restaurants, three bars, and a coffee shop. Before long, Olga was promoted to Director of Operations, and shortly afterward, she was offered an exciting opportunity to open the first two DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in Colombia. While working with the Hilton franchise, Olga developed an interest in business development and in transitions between change management.

Moving to Prague was a life-changing experience for Olga, especially after she started learning Czech. “I was surprised to see the differences between Czech culture and my own—especially how people socialize and build relationships at work. Not being able to speak Czech made me feel more at home at UNYP because I could be myself there. Nevertheless, I attended Czech classes every day to push myself to integrate. I was amazed by the differences between Czech and Colombian cultures, particularly in socializing and building relationships at work. Being at UNYP felt like home since there were people from all over the world. Besides our studies, we shared a common goal of learning Czech daily to better integrate, and we received a lot of help and motivation from our Czech classmates.

Olga’s dissertation focused on the role of middle managers in successfully transitioning a hotel from a branch to a franchise. While researching, Olga had the chance to meet the hotel’s director, who offered her a job immediately. She began as Director of Operations and was recently promoted to Deputy Manager.

In your opinion, is it essential to have some work experience before pursuing your Master’s degree?

I believe that you see things much differently after gaining some work experience – even if it’s just one or two years. You can’t fully rely on books, and the soft skills you develop during work are hard to teach in the classroom.

What do you love most about your work, and what is your biggest challenge?

I am a charismatic, coaching, and strategic leader who leads by example. I enjoy creating unique experiences for my clients. A hotel is like a city; anything can happen here, and you must be prepared because each day is different. However, the experience I’ve gained over the past year at CARLO IV is more about learning how to manage employees from a completely different culture. People in the Czech Republic may seem reserved at first, but once you get to know them, they open up and become very friendly and caring. I build a family out of my team and do everything I can to guide them. The unemployment rate in the Czech Republic is only 2%, so people don’t worry much about competition, making it difficult to find hardworking, reliable staff. Yet, employees in my hotel care deeply and fight for what’s best for their clients and team – they truly love what they do.

What advice could you give to prospective Master’s students?

I value my Master’s degree because I wanted to get everything I could out of it, and I did. If you don’t want to work hard, then don’t do it; you’d only be wasting your money and time. Professors are there to guide you, but you need to do your own studying and learn from other students. Debates with your classmates prepare you for future teamwork skills. If you are unmotivated or lazy, it could affect your future career as well as your current grades – you never know which of your classmates will become the president of a successful company.