This "Frequently Asked Question" page was made in response to questions from students getting ready to come to The International Butler Academy, or from potential students requesting further information.

Do contact us in case you have a question or concern.

 

		Why do you not offer one-week courses, or even day-courses, for instance housekeeping, table service, etiquette etc?
		Well, housekeeping, table service, etiquette, household management and all the other topics, are taught at TIBA on a daily basis. Each and every day of the eight-week course the students learn and practice these and other topics. Learning never stops, not for a minute. Once a group of students start with their course we also do not want others to join that group for one day, or one week. The group is important. They form a team and we do not want anything or anyone to interfere with the group. We do offer one-week courses for clients but these courses are tailor-made to the wishes of the client and are usually done on-site at the client's residence, at an Embassy, or for instance at a hotel.
		Financially, for the school at least, it would make sense to offer short courses or one-day programs, as there is easy money to be made, but that is not what we are about. We are butlers, we live butlers and we breathe butlers. Read the letters of reference on this web site and you'll hear it from the students themselves.

		You are the only school giving a free butler uniform to its students. Why is this so important to you?
		Please read the information on the "butler uniform" page. The uniform is an integral part of the training. No silly white lab coats at TIBA. No silly "laboratory methodology of instruction". TIBA, together with the students, run a real and ultra luxurious Palace. Need we say more.

		What employment agencies recognize the TIBA Diploma?
		Virtually every employment agency in the world. However, how important this may be, the most important affiliation the school has it the exclusive one with The International Guild of Professional Butlers. Employers from around the world certainly recognize the diploma. Over the years, we have  proven the diploma's worth and the high quality of the TIBA graduates.

		To what extent does the school assist in placing graduates?
		We support our graduating students 100 percent either through our own recruitment division, our extensive network or through affiliated agencies. Our Chairman and our Director of Recruitment work with each student to help position him or her for a successful entry into the private service workforce.

		As a candidate, do I have any costs pertaining to a job interview?
		No. None. We pay your airfare, hotel, taxis, meals, and anything else to do with the job interview. If we wish you to travel to a client by air, we will have a pre-paid airline ticket ready for you to be picked up at the airport on the day of departure.

		Do I negotiate with your client about salary and working conditions etc.?
		No. We negotiate for you. Normally speaking a salary indication and job responsibilities are discussed with you before you go to a job interview.

		Once I am placed with one of your clients. What then?
		We stay in close contact with the client and with you to make sure all parties are satisfied. We sometimes visit the household to speak with the client and with the candidate to do an evaluation. Sometimes we make recommendations. Either way, we are a telephone call away and will do our very best to make sure both you and the client are happy.

		Can I visit TIBA, tour the Palace, speak with current students and trainers, and sit in a full day in the classroom?
		Absolutely! We always encourage potential students to do their research, visit if at all possible, and compare TIBA with other schools. We do request that you make an appointment beforehand.

		Apparently you do not offer any distant learning programs as others do. Why not?
		Distant learning does not work, at least not in our profession. Just read through our web site and what TIBA offers on its eight-week program. You really think you can learn all of this and hope to become a professional butler through a distant learning program? If you are serious about becoming a butler, or if you are employed in service and wish to learn more - join our program. A book, a correspondence course, or sitting in a classroom for a few days is not going to do it.

		Does the Academy offer individual courses?
		Absolutely not. See answer above!

		I saw your school on television on a French channel last year, and this year on a German channel. Why don't you have TV shows, for instance as an MPEG, on your web site?
		The reason for this is that the TV networks invest a lot of money in their programs and documentaries and that is why these are copyrighted. We do not have permission to put these programs on our web site.

		You state that everything is included in the tuition fee. What does this mean?
		Well, truly everything is included. Check out the tuition fee page. If you can think of anything not included then let us know and we will include it. Washing powder for your clothes? Included. Candy? Included. Food and drinks on days off? Included. Print cartridges? Included. Transportation if you want to go into town on your day off? Included. Etc. Etc. Etc.

		How is it possible that you can offer so much and so many extras?
		Under Law, we are a non-profit foundation. We do not make a profit of school or the students. Of course we earn money, but this is done through our recruitment division (which is a separate company), not through the fees students pay. Every penny the students pay is put back into the high quality training. Not one single person at The Academy depends on TIBA for a salary, income or otherwise.

		I read somewhere that all your trainers must take the full eight-week course before he or she is allowed to teach at TIBA. Why is this?
		This is indeed a requirement. We find it essential that the core trainers know what the students go through, have done the same assignments and homework,  know what is taught, have been on all the field trips, have eaten the same meals, slept in the student bungalows, etc. All trainers have worked hard to receive their TIBA diploma, This fact, combined with their experience in private service, their teaching skills and their absolute love for the butling profession make them the finest instructors you can imagine.

		What are the tuition fee payment terms?
		The total cost is 12.500 Euros. 500 Euros is required when signing up to reserve a place, with the remaining 12.000 Euros to be paid 30 days prior to the start of the course.

		Do you offer deferred payment plans?
		No. We are not a car dealership, plus we have bills to pay. We will certainly assist students with filling out forms etc. for loans, visas, grants etc. We also will be pleased to write a Letter of Acceptance or Invitation Letter for you.

		You pay back 50% of the students' travel expenses to and from The Netherlands. What are the requirements to receive this?
		All we ask is that students check with us before the final purchase of the tickets, just to make sure the best fare is purchased. Traveling these days is not very expensive anymore. We wish to make sure that students decide on a school because of the school's qualities, not because the school is around the corner. Note: in case a student signs up for a course less than 3 months before the start of the course the reimbursement is 25%. In case a student signs up less than 2 months before the start of the course there is no travel reimbursement.

		I wish to sign up for your next course starting in May but it's full. Due to my employer's travel schedule I can only attend this time of the year and I don't want to wait until next year. I really wish to join this course. Can you help?
		Yes we can! Students who have a legitimate reason why he or she "must" take a particular (full) course are often granted participation providing the student writes a solid motivation letter.
		Does the school have a complaint forum or refund policy?
		Yes there is. Note that students who are expelled due to their own negligence are not entitled to a refund of any kind. In case of (serious) illness and a student is forced to leave the school, this student might be entitled to finish the course at a later date. Again there is no refund.

		Is there a student handbook setting out rights and expectations?
		Yes there is. This is given to the students on their first day of class and is fully reviewed with the students. All students are then required to sign off on this document as having fully comprehended it. The student handbook contains a lot of information on many topics.

		Is there any practical experience?
		The entire time spent at The International Butler Academy is practical experience. Every day each student has the opportunity to learn relevant skills through hands-on experience. 80 percent of your time with us will be practical. There are also many events the students are part of, from intimate and formal dinners to elaborate weddings.

		Is eight weeks long enough to learn butling?
		There is one huge difference between us and any other school in the world. If you would consider the amount of hours spent working and studying at TIBA this would probably amount to a whole year in a normal school. At TIBA you learn "on the job". From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave you will be fulfilling all the duties of a butler in a demanding household, all under the guidance of superb instructors. Over the years we have proven that our teaching methods work. Our clients have more faith in our students than in butlers with many years of experience. This experience tends to be rather limited but our training is extensive and covers all aspects of butling and estate management. Our graduates are successful in many different type of jobs, in virtually every country in the world.

		Searching the internet I found a lot of information from your school copied elsewhere. Does this not concern you and why do you not take legal action?
		This is unfortunately very true, but there is not that much we can do about it. By the time we have taken legal action and win a court case, or information is removed due to our attorney writing to the offender, we pay a lot of money in legal fees and the offenders are usually people with no funds at all. This means that we usually end up paying everything. Nevertheless we do take legal action from time to time. There are a lot of persons in this profession for the wrong reasons, who have no morals or integrity. That is just the way it is. We hope that people searching for training, or employers looking for staff, will do their research and know to come to us.

		I am a vegetarian. As you provide all the meals, is it possible that you make special arrangements for me?
		Yes, we can make special arrangements for you. In the past we also managed to accommodate the eating wishes of Muslim students.

		In my country the electrical current is different than in yours. Do I need to bring a special power travel kit?
		No, we will take care of this for you.

		You list a number of field trips on your site, including ones to private homes. There is extensive information on the field trips to be found except for the ones to private homes. Why is this?
		We are extremely fortunate that some clients allow us to visit their spectacular homes. As these are private homes we of course respect the clients' privacy.

		Do I need to bring a laptop?
		Bringing a laptop with you is indeed important to do your homework, do your research, stay in touch with your family and friends and perhaps play your favorite music. We provide high-speed Internet access and printers both at school and in the student bungalows. In case you do not own a laptop or cannot borrow one from a friend, we do have computers available at school.

		You have many wonderful photos on your web site. However, most of these are very formal with students standing to attention, or in a line of some sort. Why is this?
		Most of these photos were taken on graduation day, or during a formal event. We have thousands and thousands of photos to choose from and we chose the more formal ones. There are also informal photos to be found on our web site. The ceremonial part of being a butler is still very much alive, is something we believe in, and is practiced on a regular basis. The reason for a butler "standing to attention" the way you see on a number of photographs has to do with a particular kind of training that is rather unique to our school, which we cannot explain in depth on this page.

		You provide an iron in the student bungalows, bed linen, towels?
		Yes, all bungalows have a steam iron, including sprays for ironing, an ironing board and more. Bed linen and towels are of course provided also.

		If I get seriously ill during a course and have to return home. Am I allowed to finish a later course.
		Of course you may.

		Your tuition fee is in Euros. What is the exchange rate against the dollar please?
		Exchange rates differ from day to day. There are many currency converters to be found on the Internet. Here is one we use frequently.