Internships provide students with valuable opportunities to apply academic knowledge in real-world environments. The six-day internship for International Tourism Management (ITM) students of TUAF under AEP served as a meaningful learning experience that allowed the development of professional skills, workplace discipline, and practical understanding of the students.

The twelve students were divided into four different groups and assigned to different restaurants and cafés. Each group has unique workplace experience and operational practices that help them to understand hospitality and customer service.

Throughout the internship, different responsibilities were assigned to the students. Tasks like assisting customers, maintaining cleanliness and organization. These emphasized the importance of communication, teamwork, and professionalism.

“As part of the Cocktail Mixing Techniques course, I completed a two-week internship (3 Days a Week) at Madame Ly Restaurant. During my internship, I helped with table setup, dishwashing, beverage preparation, and serving drinks. I learned the importance of teamwork and communication in a busy restaurant. Since I am not Vietnamese, I sometimes had difficulty understanding customers, but my coworkers were always willing to help.”  Aiza Nolasco from batch K55 shared her experience during the internship.  “One experience that made me happy was being able to balance many cups of drinks and carry them to the second floor without spilling anything or breaking any glasses. This internship helped me become more confident, responsible, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.” She also added.

“The shop opens at 7 AM everyday, I start my shift by sweeping the floor and preparing tables and seats for costumers. The branch that I was working for is where they produce the juice, that will be transported to busier shops. Therefore, throughout the time, my job was to wash the vegetable and assisting other employees with their work in the kitchen. After that, I help them clean the area after passing the shift .” One of the Vietnamese student named Nguyen Tien Dung from batch K57 also shared his experience in his workplace.
 

“My experience at the Madame Ly restaurant was challenging yet also rewarding. Through customer service, beverage preparation, and assisting with the establishment's daily operations, I gained practical experience and developed a better understanding of the realities of working in the hospitality industry. The program taught me the importance of teamwork and responsibility, along with the balance of patience and consistency, giving me a newfound respect for restaurant employees and their hard work.”  Said by Anna Lorraine Sarmiento also from batch K55.

Overall, the internship provided students with valuable hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, allowing them to participate in daily restaurant and café operations. Through responsibilities such as customer service, beverage preparation, kitchen assistance, and workplace maintenance, students developed practical skills while strengthening their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Despite various challenges, the experience helped them become more confident, responsible, and adaptable, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the dedication and professionalism required in the hospitality sector.

Campus Connect Media | Jann Emileene Balbalosa