Behind the Scenes of Ultra-Luxury
We often talk about the glamour of the luxury industry, but true luxury is defined behind the scenes: in meticulous research, complex logistics, and an obsessive attention to detail that makes high-end experiences appear effortless.
For Gabriella Sandhu, graduate of the MSc in Luxury Management at the International University of Monaco, luxury was never meant to remain abstract. Her objective was to experience it directly, moving from academic study to real industry immersion in one of the most demanding sectors: ultra-luxury travel.
The Monaco Advantage
For Gabriella, the academic journey was strongly shaped by geography and ecosystem. Studying in Monaco meant being immersed in a global hub where luxury is not just studied but constantly lived and observed through brands, events, and professional networks.
“I chose the MSc in Luxury Management at IUM because of its unique location in Monaco, which is truly a global hub for luxury,” she explains. “Being in that environment provided direct exposure to leading luxury brands and created strong networking opportunities.”
Beyond location, the program emphasized experiential learning. Academic content was systematically reinforced through real-world exposure, including industry visits and field experiences. A trip to Milan proved particularly formative, offering a direct understanding of how luxury brands operate in one of the most competitive fashion capitals in the world. These moments helped bridge theory and practice and reinforced the importance of immersion in luxury education.
Internship Spotlight: Navigating Ultra-Luxury Travel at Silversea Cruises
Gabriella secured her internship at Silversea Cruises through a combination of the IUM career platform and direct interaction with the brand after a campus presentation. She joined the Expedition Department, a key operational unit responsible for coordinating the planning and execution of complex expedition itineraries.
Her responsibilities included research, coordination, and organizational support linked to cruise operations and destination planning. The role required managing structured information, ensuring accuracy across multiple inputs, and collaborating with different teams in a fast-moving environment where precision and timing are essential. During this experience, she developed stronger organizational and project coordination skills, while also refining her communication and adaptability in a highly collaborative professional setting. The exposure to operational complexity gave her a clearer understanding of how ultra-luxury travel is constructed behind the scenes, where every detail contributes to the final guest experience. Reflecting on this transition from academic preparation to professional reality, she highlights the direct relevance of her studies:
The MSc in Luxury Management gave me a strong understanding of luxury consumers, branding, and service expectations, which was directly relevant to the cruise industry.
Gabriella Sandhu
Charting a Course for the Future
This hands-on experience helped her define a clearer professional direction. Observing how marketing, operations, and customer experience must be perfectly aligned in ultra-luxury environments led her to focus on future roles in brand partnerships, marketing, and event coordination within the luxury and lifestyle sector.
Having worked closely with the operational side of luxury travel, she developed a more concrete understanding of how strategic decisions translate into guest experience, reinforcing her interest in roles that connect creativity, branding, and execution.
Her advice for students aiming to enter the sector is straightforward: “Take full advantage of networking opportunities, whether through career fairs, events, or guest speakers. Building relationships early on can open a lot of doors.”
She also emphasizes the importance of flexibility in the early career stage, encouraging students to remain open to different roles within the luxury industry, as multiple entry points can lead to long-term success.
The IUM Experience
Looking back, Gabriella describes her experience at IUM as a turning point not only for her academic development, but for how she understands the luxury industry as a whole. The combination of academic rigor, industry proximity, and constant exposure to professionals created an environment where theory and practice consistently reinforced each other.
Rather than seeing luxury as an abstract concept, the program positioned it as a living ecosystem shaped by strategy, detail, and human interaction. This perspective continues to influence how she approaches her career today, especially in environments where precision and experience design are essential.
For more information about our MSc in Luxury Management program, check our website
If you have any questions, contact the admissions team atadmissions@monaco.edu
Last update on