Josephine, Travel & Tourism student , Greece

The motivation

I thought it was a great opportunity to gain some work experience abroad and to see what it’s really like to work in the travel sector. I was encouraged to take this opportunity by my tutor and my parents as they also thought it would give me the experience I need.

The placement

I worked as a receptionist in a 5 star hotel called Aquila Porto Rethymno. The staff were friendly and most of them spoke at least two other languages fluently as well as Greek and English, which I thought was amazing. They attract customers from all over the world, so at least one team member could speak a language to help guests have a pleasant stay.
I was responsible for welcoming and greeting guests, the checking-in and checking-out procedure, handling queries and complaints, and providing useful information for guests.

My biggest achievement was learning how to use the reception computer systems. At first, it was quite challenging to get used to but I found it easier to navigate the systems with practice. Another achievement was learning some Greek words, such as how to say ‘good morning’, ‘hello’, ‘good evening’, and ‘How are you?’ Learning these phrases helped with my customer service skills with Greek guests.

The location

The local people were friendly and more than happy to help answer any questions. Our apartment was right on the beachfront and everything we needed, such as shops and even the hospital, were all within walking distance. The old town was so beautiful, with many affordable shops and great restaurants along the beachfront.