In the fast-paced world of hotels and hospitality, student Jet is right at home. She made a conscious decision to study at Tio because it is small-scale, personal and practically oriented. This summer, she completed an internship at a five-star Corendon resort in Curaçao, gaining international work experience, valuable contacts and unforgettable memories along the way.

Jet enjoys working with people and going that extra mile to make someone happy. That made a hospitality study programme the perfect fit for her. She started Tio’s vocational Hotel Management programme before progressing to the accelerated bachelor’s degree programme in Hotel and Event Management.

Small-scale, personal and entrepreneurial

She made a very conscious decision to choose Tio. “It’s small-scale, you get plenty of personal support and the classes are small. I liked the school straight away; it immediately felt right.” Tio’s practical approach also suits Jet. “I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so entrepreneurship and learning by doing really appeal to me. At Tio, you work on lots of projects, go on study trips, complete an internship and meet all kinds of companies at the Career Event. Furthermore, many lecturers have worked in industry themselves, so they can share their own knowledge and experience with you directly.”

From dream to reality

During her study programme, Jet worked with Corendon on an assignment and got to know several people within the organisation. When she began looking for an international internship later on, Corendon crossed her path again. With her study coach’s help, she secured a placement in Curaçao. “I had always dreamt of doing an internship abroad, preferably in a tropical country. Curaçao ticked all the boxes. I was thrilled when everything had been arranged!”

This summer, the time had finally come: left the Netherlands for Curaçao, where she spent thirteen weeks as an intern at the Corendon Mangrove Beach Resort.

Making guests feel special

During her internship, Jet worked in Front Office and Guest Relations. Her responsibilities included welcoming Hilton Gold and Diamond members, handling priority check-ins and helping guests with questions, complaints and special requests.

No two days were the same. One moment she would be arranging a surprise for a honeymoon or birthday; the next, she would be organising champagne in a guest’s room, a beach cabana or a small farewell gift. “What I enjoyed most was being able to genuinely surprise guests. Sometimes they would come to the desk especially to thank us afterwards. You make an effort for someone and are rewarded with a big smile.”

Learning in an international environment

Working in Curaçao also introduced Jet to a different workplace culture. She worked with both Dutch and local colleagues and saw how a large international organisation operates. “You learn so much from your colleagues. You also notice that some things are done differently there than in the Netherlands. It’s an incredibly valuable learning experience.”

In Curaçao, Jet met up again with people from Corendon whom she had encountered before. “As a result, I’ve built up a lot of contacts, and those relationships last. You meet so many new people, and they have contacts of their own. A network like that is hugely valuable; no one can ever take it away from you.”

Unforgettable memories

Jet also made the most of life in Curaçao outside her internship. She lived in student accommodation and met lots of new people in a short space of time. “In my free time, I explored the island, from beautiful beaches and eating out to parties and even skydiving. There was so much to do. I travelled to Curaçao on my own, but I met so many lovely people there.”

A head start

Jet is now in her final year. By the time she graduates, she will leave with much more than a diploma. “Through internships, practical projects, presentations and classes in areas such as communication skills, I’ve learnt how to present myself professionally, work independently and seize opportunities.” During her studies, Jet has not only built up her knowledge but also gained plenty of practical experience and developed a valuable network.

She is already reaping the rewards. Her first internship, undertaken as part of her vocational programme at Ron Gastrobar, even led to a job. And through Tio, her path crossed with Corendon more than once. “Tio gives you so many opportunities. Of course, in the end, you have to make the most of them yourself, but being a Tio student really does give you a head start.”

Jet does not yet know exactly what she will do after graduating. Further study, travel, learning a new language or going straight into work: all options are still open. But there is one thing she does know. “I want to keep doing something that allows me to help people and make them happy. That’s where my heart truly lies.”