I began my internship on October 3rd, 2023, and will complete my program on October 3rd, 2024. Moving abroad was undoubtedly one of the most difficult aspects of boarding that airline, leaving all my family and friends behind, and flying across the world. However, I was ecstatic about my new chapter. With my arrival, Frenchman’s HR was exceedingly accommodating. I was able to quickly settle in and establish my bearings.

I began my program by receiving training from my training manager, Steven Krall, and then progressed to working at the ‘Pool Side Café.’ I worked here for 5 months on a permanent basis, working and assisting as a hostess or waitress at the ‘Pavilion.’ I overcame many problems and earned a great deal of experience, knowledge, and overall maturity as a person in the big world.

At the beginning of March I moved to working in the Food and Beverage Office, where I work closely alongside the Manager tackling the daily duties as well as many other tasks that may occur throughout the week. I have really enjoyed learning the admin as well as having an insight into behind the scenes.

 What has stood out about this internship is the personalization and culture experience. Personalization meaning, I am able to greet the members by their names as well as knowing exactly what their preferences are. For example: Mrs. Bael & Mrs. Singer came very often for dinner at the Pool Side Café and before they have even been seated, I have already gotten Mrs. Bael’s glass of Sancerre wine and Mrs. Singer’s House Chardonnay: Canyon Road ready before they even have to ask. Furthermore, I have enjoyed the importance of being Amanda Wood and not just ‘employee number 27.’ All staff members know who one another are right from the bottom right up to management. Regarding the cultural experience, I have thoroughly enjoyed this as I enjoy meeting new people. Frenchman’s recruits international employees from all over the world. I have made many friends weather they are working in the food and beverage department or other departments. No matter your nationality, religion or race everyone is treated with great respect and kindness, which ultimately creates a happy work environment that I am happy and proud to be a part of.

“Hi, I am Sinomncedi Fuzile, from Peddie in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

I went to Amazizi Senior Secondary School Mpekweni location, a small village outside Peddie.
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I started my BCom hospitality journey in July 2019 and I am currently doing my Internship at Novotel World Trade Centre, Dubai as a front office -Intern. It has been such a great experience being exposed to a big property and hosting different nationalities has been an amazing journey. My experience has been nothing but great so far and I am still looking forward to learn more.”
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Travelling to Dubai, was Sinomncedi’s first trip out of the country!

• Hotel also features a library, brandy lounge, wine gallery, contemporary art gallery and a champagne cellar.

My name is Robyn den Dunnen and I am currently completing my BCom Hospitality Degree through Stenden South Africa.
On the 1^st of October 2019, I started my 21-week internship at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town in the Groups and Events Department. I have always had a passion for events management am fortunate enough to have completed both my events minors overseas on Grand Tour.

Throughout my time at the Mount Nelson, I have learnt an incredible amount about luxury hospitality as well as the process of organising and managing events.

Within 21 weeks of being at the Mount Nelson, I was fortunate enough to have been appointed permanently as a Groups and Events Coordinator. I am extremely excited for what my future holds and am looking forward to a career in the events industry.

Thank you to Stenden South Africa for all the dedication towards their students and the efforts towards placing students in excellent properties.

Yesterday was such a bittersweet day as it marked the last day of my internship. I was very fortunate to have been placed at the iconic Oyster Box Hotel part of Red Carnation Hotels – part of the TTC family of brands for 6 months to train in the Front Office Department. I really enjoyed being part of a team where there was a culture of sharing knowledge, a passion for hospitality and a drive to continuously improve. I have learnt a great deal over the past months of which I am sure will be of great help in my hospitality journey. The end of a chapter marks the beginning of a new one and I am very excited for what lies ahead!

My name is Natasha Wood, I studied a B. Com in Hospitality Management at Stenden South Africa. I participated in the Grand Tour Program to study the International Human Resource Management Minor in Doha, Qatar. Furthermore, to complete the degree an Internship in the industry is required in which Stenden helps to place students in the best properties worldwide. I was fortunate enough to be able to do my placement on The World Residence at Sea, the globes largest residential yacht.

The World Residence at Sea is a World of its own with 165 privately owned apartments in which folks live in part time and some residents full time. The vessel travels the entire World over a period of two years. During my placement I chose the Hotel Internship Program to complete, this included front of house departments such as Front Office and Concierge allowing time to be exposed to the sub departments such as Night Auditor and Travel Coordinator over a period of three months onboard.

The benefit of working onboard The World is networking is performed with fellow crew members who are from various countries worldwide. More so, traveling whilst working is another advantage as I was able to travel to the following 9 countries over the three-month period; Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia and Singapore.

Moreover, when working on The World the shifts worked allow for the crew to be able to go ashore and explore the country docked or anchored in. However, the working hours are 10 hours a day, 7 days a week for a continuous three months. Furthermore, when working in the Concierge department the crew members in the department have the opportunity to accompany the participants, this is paid for by the company as each tour has to have a ship guide with them to ensure the outing is seamless.

This is an amazing opportunity as you are able to visit and join in on amazing opportunities in which I did such as; Enjoy lunch at a One Star Michelin star restaurant in Bangkok, Cruise through the picturesque Ha Long Bay and Kayak through the caves in Vietnam and not to mention the beautiful skylines in the cities docked in such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and much more.

One of my highlights from studying at Stenden South Africa was being able to do my internship on The World Residence at Sea which was a life time experience. This would not have been possible without the help of Mr. Steyn, the Career Coach at Stenden South Africa.

Internship Destinations