We define the horizon as a line at which the earth’s surface and the sky appear to meet but at the same time, it symbolizes a different perspective in life. Looking at the vast horizon makes us wonder about the countless opportunities we’d encounter and the new learnings we’ll be able to acquire as we navigate through our lives. That is my inspiration as to why I decided to challenge myself to apply for an International OJT. I was motivated to look for new experiences that would help me enhance my skills for my personal and professional growth. From the beginning, I already expected the process and the experience itself to be challenging, especially since it is in a different country with a different culture and language.
To prepare for our internship, we were lucky to have training sessions prepared by the school which covered activities and lessons that trained us on different aspects based on the possible tasks and responsibilities the hotel might assign to us. From the moment you start to finalize your things and documents, that’s when it sinks that you’ll soon leave your friends and family - your comfort zone. That’s when I started to feel anxious but at the same time excited to experience and be aware of a whole lot of opportunities.
Once we arrived at Don Mueang International Airport, mixed emotions started rushing through. However, the welcoming atmosphere of the people especially at Centara eased the nervousness I felt and just enjoyed our orientation. We were grateful to be assisted by Centara’s Training & HR department throughout the process of moving into our rooms, overview as well as touring around our establishment, processing papers that we needed, and dealing with our concerns. They were so kind and patient in answering our queries and were fun to be with which made me look forward to starting our internship at our designated outlets. I was assigned to the Red Sky Restaurant which is a 5-star restaurant on the 55th floor of the hotel that offers a magnificent view of Bangkok, especially during sunset.
Throughout the internship, I encountered challenges such as the language barrier, dealing with irate customers, and other unexpected situations. This is why I brought myself to observe how other staff handle guests, listen during short training sessions, and also learn their basic language and words that most guests often ask or look for so that I can better serve and guide them. Overall, the whole experience was exhausting having to stand for the whole duration of the dinner service but somehow rewarding with just a simple smile, thank you’s, and commendations from guests. I believe that is the true meaning of hospitality - to be able to provide exceptional service that would make guests smile which I treat as a reward for my hard work. And if I were to choose a memorable experience, I would say New Year’s Eve in a heartbeat. We were sad because we wouldn’t be able to celebrate with our loved ones and at the same time tired because of the rush of guests. However, when the clock struck 12 at midnight, everything stopped and it just felt so magical the moment fireworks decorated the night sky. We were lucky to be on the rooftop which gave us a better view of that memorable moment.
Looking back, I was able to use the knowledge I acquired from our different subjects the moment I was already faced with similar situations such as dealing with complaints and other tasks. Since we were assigned as an F&B Service staff, I was able to act on the various lessons we were taught at the University such as proper table setting, wine service, proper way to carry a tray, basic bartending skills, front office duties, and many more. Through sufficient lessons and training provided at the university, we were able to easily adapt to the nature of our work and were able to provide satisfactory service to our guests.
Through this experience, I have realized a lot of things such as the importance of listening to lectures as well as taking advantage of training and opportunities offered by the University that help in introducing us to what to expect once we start our own career. I also realized that traveling means a lot more than just visiting popular attractions but also understanding, respecting, and immersing yourself in other cultures which would make your experience a lot more memorable. That being said, traveling also allows us to introduce our own culture to others and promote our home country.
In conclusion, this experience taught me a lot of things and proved that if it scares you, do it and it will surely be worth your while. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is a risk that is worth a shot as it might be a chance for you to grow and see yourself in another light where you become more confident and proud of yourself.
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