Konnichiwa, can we help you?
GAINING work experience overseas is a valuable addition to one’s resume.
And this was certainly the case for 16 students from UCSI University, Sarawak campus when they recently secured coveted internships at luxury hotels and resorts in Japan and Singapore.
Michele Kong Suet Mei and Rebecca Tan Shuh Ying were selected for five-month internships at the renowned Niseko Village Ski Resort in Hokkaido, Japan. The resort has been widely regarded as one of the world’s premier ski holiday destinations.
Both interns said that the exposure they received was invaluable.
“It’s a totally different environment and work culture compared to Malaysia,” said Rebecca, adding that she learnt new things on a daily basis.
“Everything happened at a fast pace. I had to master the booking system, reply emails, act on feedback, offer quality service to the many guests and arrange pick-ups besides managing the daily check-ins and checkouts,” she said.
For Michele, it was the steep learning curve she had to navigate upon her arrival as well as getting over the initial jitters as it was her first time going overseas on her own.
“It’s a challenge to work with so many people from different countries; to learn from each other and to voice our opinions on various issues,” she said.
“The internship is going well for me and it is a nice change to be able to experience it in a foreign country,” added Michele.
On a lighter note, both girls are united in their view of a challenge that can’t be overcome easily: Mother Nature.
Michele said that the weather is the hardest thing to get used to as she had never experienced snowfall before.
The unforgiving temperature — below 0°C — complicated matters and although she is slowly getting used to things, she felt that more time is required for adapting to the weather.
Rebecca grappled with the vast expanse of snow that could adversely affect one’s sense of direction.
“I am still unfamiliar with the many landmarks and got lost a few times when I prepared and inspected rooms at different locations in the resort,” she said, adding that she had to radio headquarters to get directions from her supervisor.
“Whenever I go out now, the first question he asks is whether I know the locations and more importantly, whether I think I will get lost again!” said Rebecca.
While both girls marvel at the efficiency and reliability of their senior colleagues — traits that are quintessentially Japanese — they pointed out that Hokkaido Tracks (the company that owns Niseko) is actually Australian-owned.
Rebecca said it was impressive to see how they retained the uniqueness of the Japanese culture while displaying an Aussie laidback approach at the same time.
Taking the lead from their foreign colleagues who spoke Japanese fluently, the girls have signed up for language classes, saying that this will boost their career prospects.
They also credited the varsity for grooming them for success.
Michele said her time in the varsity’s student council had helped prepare her for the internship as she learnt to work in a team with individuals from different backgrounds.
“The varsity’s learning system also taught me how to prioritise tasks according to urgency and this helped me at Niseko as I was required to get things done in a timely manner,” she said.
She also acknowledged the integral role played by the varsity in setting up the internship.
The duo’s positive experiences were shared by their 14 friends who are currently on six-month internships at premium hotel chains in Singapore such as the Marina Mandarin and the Conrad Contennial Singapore hotel.
Commenting on the internships, UCSI University, Sarawak campus chief operating officer Lu Huong Ying said the experience would boost the students’ employability.
“The university endeavours to give its students a wholesome hospitality education through unique placements like these,” she said.
She added that the exposure would equip the students with the business acumen of the global economy and teach them to appreciate different business cultures and perspectives.