Venturing beyond the comfort zone, the Hotel Management student ''hunts'' for internship opportunities in the West

During a session where Mr. Do Quang Huy - a lecturer from the Faculty of Tourism - introduced and encouraged participation in the Global Working Experience program, Tran Thi Phuong Thao - a student from Course 27 majoring in Hotel Management decided to challenge herself and succeeded. Currently, she has been interning for 3 months at Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club in Florida, United States.

In 2021, Tran Thi Phuong Thao became a freshman in Course 27, specializing in Hotel Management because she loved the professional working environment of the restaurant and hotel systems she had experienced. After reading articles recounting the educational journeys of VLU alumni, she chose Van Lang University with the desire to follow in their footsteps, hoping for the chance to study abroad and immerse herself fully in her field.

Phuong Thao shared: "I like studying Hotel Management! I and my friends have the chance to practice at 5-star resorts, visit renowned hotels in Saigon, and participate in valuable workshops. These practical experiences are a big lesson that helps me gain a better understanding of the discipline and insights into the current market trends.”

The more you venture, the greater your passion grows. Upon hearing Mr. Do Quang Huy, a lecturer at the Faculty of Tourism, passionately introduce and encourage participation in the Global Working Experience program, Phuong Thao was inspired to take a chance, and she succeeded. The Global Working Experience is a paid internship program in Europe and the United States designed for students specializing in restaurant and hospitality. It is a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Tourism at Van Lang University and the Placement International Group. In less than a year of initiation (since April 2023), the program has provided internship opportunities at prestigious 4- and 5-star enterprises for numerous students from Courses 25, 26, and 27 at Van Lang University.

Currently, Phuong Thao has been honing her skills for three months at the Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club in Florida, USA. At first, Thao encountered many difficulties because she was not used to the new lifestyle, culture, and internship, feeling a sense of loneliness during her first separation from family, relatives, and friends. She shared: "I'm like a child who has to relearn everything alone to adapt to the new environment. But thanks to this opportunity, I expand my limits, learn to be independent, take care of myself, and take responsibility for everything in my personal life."

Thao skillfully implements lessons from Van Lang University, applying and enhancing them through comprehensive overseas development. she absorbed valuable insights into service industry work styles, adeptly mastering the art of organizing extravagant events and ensuring a hospitable welcome for guests,... In addition to working time, Thao takes advantage of the study abroad opportunity to participate in community events, refine her foreign language proficiency, and enhance her soft skills. Most recently, Thao and her friends participated in organizing a fundraising event for the Vietnamese Children D.O.V.E Fund and confidently delivered compelling presentations in front of the crowd. 

Reflecting on the journey thus far, Phuong Thao emphasized that experience plays a crucial role not only in Hotel Management but in any field, facilitating rapid personal growth for learners. "Be brave to venture beyond your comfort zone. Ahead, you may encounter fragrant flowers and sweet fruits, as well as challenges and hardships, but no matter what, the most precious gift we always have is the experience and memories from the journey we have gone through. These are the very values I sought at the commencement of this Global Working Experience journey." - Thao emphasized.

Reporter: Hoai Anh
Image: provided by character