You have officially said yes to an incredible opportunity and you’re heading to Asia for a luxury hospitality internship! Go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back for taking the first step out of your comfort zone.
Days or weeks have passed since you arrived in a new country, and the initial excitement has settled. Now the question that begs to be asked is how do you ensure you do well in your internship while still having an enjoyable time in a new city?
Don’t fret because we’ve got some useful tips on how you can make the most of your internship experience abroad.
Celebrate your small wins
Adjusting to a fast-paced 5-star kitchen or a busy front office can feel daunting and nerve-wracking, especially in the beginning. You may feel behind being in the midst of experienced chefs or seasoned hotel managers.
One piece of advice we can give is to keep in mind to not compare your Day 1 to someone else’s Day 1,000. You will eventually go to that level. Instead of waiting months to congratulate yourself, you can choose to celebrate your small daily wins:
- Successfully managing a tricky customer interaction? That’s a win.
- Doing the perfect prep work during a chaotic dinner rush? Win.
- Getting to a 4:00 AM shift perfectly on time? Win.
By breaking your experience down into smaller tasks and acknowledging that you’re indeed growing better along the way, you will be able to build your confidence much faster.
Be a sponge
You have spent years learning theories and concepts in the classroom. Now, it’s time for the real world application of everything you have learned. No doubt that a university degree gives you a good foundation, but a real kitchen or hotel floor will teach you the reality of the industry.
The most successful interns are the ones who act like sponges:
- Observe keenly. Look at how management handles high-stress logistics or unexpected events and make your own assessments.
- Have the courage to ask the right questions. If you simply are having a hard time understanding a procedure or a protocol, there is no harm in asking. It just shows that you are driven and willing to learn.
- Learn by doing. You will gain a lot of practical knowledge by throwing yourself into real-time responsibilities rather than by sitting on the sidelines. Don’t be afraid to take on hands-on tasks.
Build your global network
One of the perks of doing an international internship in a multicultural place is the people you will meet. You will have the chance of meeting and collaborating with expats, locals, and fellow travelers from every corner of the world.
- Listen to their stories. People love sharing where they come from, their culture and how their hometowns shaped them. Open up, stay curious and ask about their backgrounds, and share yours too.
- Cure homesickness through community. Bonding over shared experiences and relatable feelings together creates a support system.
- Your future connections. The friendships you make during your internship can be beneficial to you in the future because who knows? A connection you made over staff lunch might lead to your next job track in Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam.
Live like a local on your days off
Your internship isn’t just about training, it’s also an adventure. When you have a day off, resist the urge to just stay inside your accommodation.
- Get lost in nature and culture. Catch a cheap metro ride to explore a lush coastal park or check out street art districts, or lounge on a nearby beach, go out and explore.
- Bust the myths. You might arrive expecting one thing, only to be pleasantly surprised in a good way hopefully.
Shift your mindset from negative to positive
Living abroad independently forces you to grow up. There will be moments when your alarms fail, a recipe goes wrong, or things just feel plain difficult.
When situations get tough, having a positive mindset can go a long way. Keep a schedule, back up your alarms, and rely on positive self-talk. If you stumble or fall, treat it as a lesson rather than a failure. Resilience is a muscle, and by the end of your program, you’ll have the confidence to know you can adapt to any environment in the world.
Just say YES!
Keep reaching out, keep looking, and keep saying yes to the opportunities. If an amazing chance comes your way, trust your potential and just go for it!
If you are ready to trade your current routine for world-class training, explore our open 5-star placements across the globe today and let’s start mapping out your next big adventure.
