We definitely have a soft spot for a good love story here at IMI and it's been so nice over the years to see young romances begin between our students.

To celebrate the up-coming Valentine's Day, we decided to catch up with five couples who first met on our campus and now have built their lives together...

Nadya and Aaron

IMI: What were your first impressions of each other when you met at IMI?

Nadya: I first met Aaron when he was doing his PG, and I was doing HD. We had a few common friends and always enjoyed spending time together. I knew right away I wanted to get to know that cool Canadian guy more!

Aaron: Nadya is fun and outgoing with a heart of gold. She was unlike any person I ever met before and I knew from the very beginning she would be the woman I would build a family, grow old with and live a long and happy life beside.

IMI: Did you become a couple during your time at IMI or later?

Aaron: Yes, we became a couple during our final semester at IMI.

IMI: Were there any challenges in your way (living in different countries etc)?

Nadya: We were apart for a few months after the graduation, but we kept in touch and later moved to Singapore to start our journey together. I worked at Mandarin Oriental and Aaron worked at Fairmont. We spent the weekends traveling Asia, exploring the world and falling in love.

IMI: Do you both still work within hospitality?

Nadya: Yes, I am building my career within the wellness industry. I spent nine years in Asia and am now focusing my career in Italy.

Aaron: No, but happy to consult or teach about sales.

IMI: What's your number one tip for maintaining a good relationship/marriage?

Both: Always apologize first, regardless how you feel. To actively work together on growth and healing. Plan the future and get excited about your goals together!

YuSheng and Yee Pei

IMI: What were your first impressions of each other when you met at IMI?

Yee Pei: The friendly guy who seems to know what's going on around the campus

YuSheng: A timid new girl who is also from Malaysia.

IMI: Did you become a couple during your time at IMI or later?

YuSheng: Yes, It was during our time at IMI.

IMI: Were there any challenges in your way?

Yee Pei: We did our internships in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE in different hotels for a year. But after that we were in a long distance relationship as we were working in different countries.

IMI: Do you both still work within hospitality?

Yee Pei: I don't but YuSheng is still in the industry.

IMI: What's your number one tip for maintaining a good relationship/marriage?

Both: Trust yourself and your other half. It goes a long way in maintaining a healthy relationship.

Saeed and Sofia

IMI: What were your first impressions of each other when you met at IMI?

Sofia: I just thought what a nice guy he was.

Saeed: What a smart and lovely lady.

IMI: Did you become a couple during your time at IMI or later?

Sofia: We became a couple later. I was catching up with a friend of mine, also an IMI alumna, and we were walking along the lake before stopping for a coffee. This coffee place reminded me of a lovely afternoon I spent years prior with other IMI friends, including Saeed. I had the urge of texting him to see where he was and how he was doing. After that, it is history...

IMI: Were there any challenges in your way?

Saeed: For sure there have been several challenges in our way like all couples. The first year of the relationship we were living in different countries, Sofia in Switzerland and I was in Saudi Arabia. We only met four times that year -a date every three months, hehe. It was pretty challenging but we moved past it effortlessly because we knew that we would soon be together.

IMI: Do you both still work within hospitality?

Sofia: No, we both work in the education sector, but we would never rule out going back to our hospitality origins one day.

IMI: What's your number one tip for maintaining a good relationship/marriage?

Sofia: Always respect each other in the private sphere and in public.

Saaed: Always be source of inspiration for one another.

Bhrugu and Dwijraj

IMI: What were your first impressions of each other when you met at IMI?

Dwijraj: It was an arranged marriage so I had actually met Bhrugu before our time at IMI. I remember going to her house to see her and she greeted everyone except me. Such a rude lady! (Laughs)

Bhrugu: Oh he is so handsome! (Also laughs)

IMI: Did you become a couple during your time at IMI or later?

Dwijraj: We were engaged before coming to IMI but got to know each other a bit more at the school.

IMI: Were there any challenges in your way?

Bhrugu: Yes, there were challenges. The main one was the time difference as he finished his studies before me at IMI and he was back in India while I was still in Switzerland. I got to meet him finally after a year of long distance relationship.

IMI: Do you both still work within hospitality?

Bhrugu: Yes, we both work within hospitality.

IMI: What's your number one tip for maintaining a good relationship/marriage?

Dwijiraj: The lady is always right.