Ninety days ago, I flew into Australia for 6 months. Three months have passed and I am writing this article about myself and my great life in Australia.
My name is Karin Lodewijks and I am a 19 years old girl from the Netherlands, studying Hotel and Event Management. Currently I am doing my internship at Aspire Hotel Sydney for 5 months.
After so much thinking, talking and saving my money, December last year I decided to come to Sydney for six months. First of all, I came here for my internship (of course) but secondly, because of the culture, the beautiful landscapes and the kindness, peacefulness and the hospitality of the people who live here. My thoughts and wishes came true and I am having a wonderful time in Sydney.
At this moment I am living in Bondi Junction and every weekday I am travelling to Ultimo to work at Aspire Hotel Sydney. During the months I have been here now, I brought the things I have learned at school into practice and I have gained a lot of working experience. It is really interesting to see how all the different departments work and communicate together, but at the same time are trying to reach their own goals. I already have had a look at some different departments such as housekeeping, reservations and sales and marketing but most of time has been spent with the front desk team. After my time at the Aspire, I hope I will find a position that suits me the best within the hotel industry.
During the weekends I am trying to see a lot of different things in Sydney and the surrounding areas and enjoying the different climate. It is really strange for me as a Dutch girl to celebrate Christmas and the New Years period in sunny Sydney. But I am looking forward to it. When my internship is finished, I am going to travel around Australia and I would like to go to New Zealand. I am so excited!
Time is flying - in 3 months I will have to go back to the Netherlands. But before that, I am enjoying and living the good life ‘Down Under’.
