Dispatches from Paradise: AIHM Internships in the Maldives

Few careers in the world enable an amazing journey like a career in hospitality. Hospitality offers a platform for creating dream experiences, and its practitioners get to work in some of the most amazing settings in the world. So do AIHM’s interns.

Every student in AIHM’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Global Hospitality Management enjoys two internships during their studies. The applied lessons, career experimentation and networking opportunities provided by these immersive learning experiences are invaluable. From towering Bangkok hotels to the serenity of the Maldivian atolls and many locations in between, our students secure internships in the world’s most amazing places. They unite their classroom studies with on-the-job practice, gaining insight into the ways their academic lessons intersect with real-world experience.

Samantha Lauver-Marion, AIHM’s Head of Student Engagement, reached out to some of our students who are completing their internships in the Maldives to learn more about their time in this incredible destination and how it’s preparing them for their future.

An Internship at Nature’s Playground

What is your name, where are you currently doing your internship and within what department? My name is Konnipha Termngam, and I am currently interning at Niyama Private Islands Maldives in the Sales & Marketing Department, specifically in Marketing & PR.

How did you approach the beginning stages of your internship application process?

After being persuaded by one of my Maldivian classmates, I received a recommendation from our Head of Student Engagement, Samantha Lauver-Marion, for a luxury resort to visit. Upon learning of my destination, Niyama Private Islands Maldives, I began researching the resort concept, Maldivian culture, and practising interview techniques.

What was the biggest challenge to overcome when relocating to a new country?

Given that the Maldives comprises thousands of islands, a convenience store or a large shopping mall would be the most appropriate places to purchase goods. However, as space is limited on many of the islands, the only viable option is to visit a local island where the necessary household items can be obtained through local sellers.

What is the best part of your job?

For me, the best part of the job is the ability to innovate and create new ideas. In addition to this, I find that maintaining clear lines of communication—whether it be within my own department or with other teams—is crucial to ensuring successful project outcomes. This is particularly important when collaborating on artwork and content development, as we need to work closely with other departments to ensure that our designs align smoothly with their needs and that we are all working towards the same concept.

What advice do you have for future students who would like to complete an internship in the Maldives like you?

Being adaptable is a must when you are relocated to the new country. Working in new place, you need to understand their working culture, understand the concept of the resort and be proactive about learning new things.

How is your internship experience going overall?

When I first started my internship, I found myself facing a number of challenges as I encountered new people, working environments, and concepts specific to the resort. In addition to this, I had to adjust to managing my time effectively in order to excel at my job. However, as time has passed I have grown more comfortable with the marketing and PR tasks assigned to me and feel that my internship is progressing quite smoothly. What I enjoy most about this experience is the opportunity to be surrounded by experts in hospitality who can provide me with real-life experience.

What are the things that you have learned so far?

As of now, I've gained a lot of knowledge regarding marketing and public relations tasks—such as resort concepts and property brand standards, as well as working closely with our designer to create marketing collaterals and draft collaterals and developing new content for the brand website. Besides that, I also learned how to prepare itineraries for upcoming media and press trips.

Manager Comments:

AIHM also reached out to Konnipha’s manager—Anjelee Dabydoyal, Marketing Manager and Acting PR Manager at Niyama Private Islands Maldives—to learn about the internship from the employer perspective. Here’s what Anjelee had to say about the AIHM internship:

Konnipha has been fabulous since the interview. Despite this being her first time in the Maldives and living on a remote island, she was able to adapt right away. She mingled with everyone, and most importantly she was able to adapt and respect the culture here. Workwise, she’s even more amazing—so eager to learn and work on projects and participate in activities…our environmental and CSR initiatives and so many more.

Anjelee on the key strengths Konnipha has brought to the internship:

Her willingness and attitude towards the field is truly inspiring. Some of her strengths:

• A great sense of commitment towards the work
• Self-confidence and a humble attitude
• Takes constructive criticism well and accepts guidance
• Strong self-discipline and a great sense of respect for others
• Multi-tasks and very supportive
• Open mindset and loves to go above and beyond
• A dedicated person and passionate about what she does
• Tech savvy, sharing her powerful knowledge with the Sales & Marketing Team
• Brought her positivity and good spirit to the team…a very important point, especially in the Maldives

Three Islands, One Internship

How did you approach the beginning stages of your internship application process?

I started my process with updating my LinkedIn profile and CV. From there it was time to decide which department I would like to pursue this internship in. I was interested in broadening my network and gaining more knowledge about products and services, and after doing some research I was drawn towards Sales & Marketing. Then, I researched properties where I would like to do the internship. I was looking for properties that would provide me with the maximum opportunities to gain experience. With the guidance of Samantha Lauver-Marion, I was able to choose a property that fits my goals and I sent out my application.

What are the top things you have learned during your internship so far?

Attention to detail is something I learnt that is very important in both sales and marketing. During the past few months, through various tasks I was able to learn the importance of attention to detail—whether it is when hosting a media visit, making a production plan, creating content or putting together a sales quotation. 

What was the biggest challenge to overcome when relocating to a new country?

As I’m from the Maldives, there weren’t any challenges in this matter. However, it being my first time working in a resort, relocating to a new island with new people was overwhelming. I wouldn’t say it was a challenge; it was more of an interesting experience for me. Coming in and having to share accommodation with new people was a little bit of challenge, but with the help of everyone around, I was able to adjust in no time.

What is the best part of your job?

Working with a cluster property. As much of a challenge as it is, I see it as a great opportunity to gain experience. I am working with three different types of properties: a family resort, an adults-only resort and a private island. In addition, by working in sales and marketing I’m able to meet a lot of people and make connections within the industry. Most importantly, I would say the team here is one of the best parts of my job. I’m working with so many talented and inspiring individuals who have been supportive of me and who demonstrate that they’re always believing in me. I have learnt so much within my short time here.

What advice do you have for future students who would like to complete an internship in the Maldives like you?

My advice would be to do proper research because working at a resort in Maldives is a very different experience compared to working in a hotel in Bangkok. You are on a secluded island away from city life, which can be a bit challenging, especially if you come from a city.  However, you gain a truly unique work experience.

How is your internship experience going overall?

My internship experience has been great. I have a great support system here, which has allowed me to perform well in all aspects. The whole team has been very supportive and patient with me, giving me as many opportunities to learn as possible and enabling me to gain all the experience that can be had here. It has been challenging to work with three properties as there is a lot to learn and work with, but it has been such an amazing journey.

What are the things that you have learned so far?

The following are some of the things that I have learnt:

• PR and Media Visits

When it comes to PR and media visits, I had the opportunity to learn about all the tasks involved, from the initial communications to creating itineraries/production plans, making bookings, receiving the guests, assisting photoshoots, hosting and so much more. 

• Newsletters

I was able to work alongside my manager, Nicolette Ng, to revamp the newsletter for all three properties. I gained experience of the entire process from start to finish—from initial discussions to layout selections to creating the content…managing photoshoots, conducting interviews, writing content, proofreading and finalising.

• Social Media

I gained experience responding to messages, inquiries and comments on social platforms of the resorts.

• Brochures and Posters

I was involved in creating brochures and posters needed for promotions and upcoming events.

• Sales Quotations

I learned what goes into making and sending sales quotations to agents when they send inquiries. This is a task that requires a lot of attention to detail, as there are different prices for all categories, added promotions and offers that are continuously changing.

• Site Inspections

I gained experience taking agents and other relevant parties around the three islands to showcase the wealth of resort experiences and explain the different room categories, facilities and services we offer guests.

• Sales Calls

From calling partners all around the world, checking for updates, and following up regarding contracts, I learned the requirements and tactics of conducting sales calls.

• Wholesale Contracts

I was able to work with my colleagues to create the new contracts for the resorts’ wholesale partners.

• And So Much More

My managers always give me the opportunity to take part in all tasks so that I’m able to gain the maximum amount of experience.

What were your goals when you began your internship and how are you progressing on them?

My goals were to:

• Add value to the team and support the team in their day to day task the best I can

Now whenever the team needs me, I am able to step in and take on tasks when we are busy and shorthanded.

• To do a site inspection alone before the end of my internship

I have been successful in achieving this goal three months into my internship. With the help of my team, I was able to learn about the three properties and gain the confidence to showcase them, and I have done quite a few inspections alone now. 

• To be able to carry out marketing tasks related to media with the least amount of supervision or help

I would say I am close to achieving my goal. I am more confident in handling media visits, and I am able to step in and take care of media related task whenever needed. 

What will be your focus from now until the end of your internship?

As I have been more involved in the marketing department so far, I want to learn more on the sales side. Overall, I just aim to take on more responsibility and gain as much experience as I can.

An Island Internship at a Family Escape

What are the top three things you have learned during your internship so far?

The day I am writing this is the 21st of June, and it has been almost three months of being here in the Maldives!! The top three things that I have learned here and also my top takeaways about hospitality overall include:

• Enthusiasm and commitment within people can affect other people around you and yourself. I have seen my partners with whom I have worked so far showing a lot of commitment towards their jobs. It’s clear to me that they’re not working so hard and enthusiastically just to be seen by managers and receive praise; I can see them working with a lot of commitment because of the passion they have. They do not care what other people think of them; they just love what they do. They just love to see guests being happy because of them. They just love to see themselves fulfilled with passion, and this brings happiness. When I see these types of people, I can feel the positivity coming from them, and it even makes me happy too and motivates me to attain the same attitude. If I were a guest and I saw these team members, I would be very happy as well to see them being so motivated within their jobs, to see how truly committed they are to making my stay even better.
  
  
• The second lesson is how important things that I learned in theory or in practical classes were transformed into real-world scenarios. What I learned from my classes has helped me a lot in terms of having a basic knowledge and background in the hospitality industry, and that helps me to learn even faster and be more knowledgeable when it comes to real-world experience.
• The last thing is flexibility. To me, this is essential when it comes to hospitality. I have faced a lot of unexpected experiences—for example, guests’ requests and guests’ complaints. I’ve learned the importance of being flexible and adaptable in the approach you use to solve a problem or a challenge.

What was the biggest challenge to overcome when relocating to a new country?

I thought my biggest challenge would be culture. But it turns out to be not the culture itself but how you see it and how you can adjust your own cultural expectations and practices. I had to adapt to a new culture in the Maldives and be careful not to negatively affect the people around me or myself.

For example, people here eat their food with their bare hands, which at first was extremely unfamiliar to me. As time passed by, I started to understand that people have their own ways of doing things and if they are comfortable with doing something that way and it doesn’t affect other people, then why I should I be uncomfortable? My colleagues use their hands, and when they see me using cutlery, they’re not shocked about what I’m doing.

Actually, my biggest challenge that I have been facing is the food. The very hot weather and the new environment here are other challenges I’ve encountered.

What is the best part of your job?

I would say that best thing is that I get to see guests happy because of me—and also that I get tips!

Really, the best thing is learning that being a person who makes the guests happy can make me happy as well!

Hospitality Internships at AIHM

Curious about a career in hospitality management? Want to obtain a Swiss-style experiential hospitality education in the heart of Asia with global internship experiences? Read more about the internship opportunities enjoyed by AIHM students.

Are you a hotel or resort interested in offering internships to AIHM students? Please contact Samantha-Lauver Marion at Samantha.Marion@aihm.education