Working in the management department is really interesting, especially due to the fact that you get to work with all the departments and therefore get to know all the hotel staff. You become aquainted with the different work flows in all departments. Since the hotel is very large, I had problems orientating myself at the beginning e.g. when hotel guests asked me, "what time does the restaurant open?" or which newspapers are available in their mother tongue, I could not always answer these questions adequately and it was a bit embarrassing. Right from the get-go the hotel manager gave me a large amount of responsibility and all the staff treated me like a normal employee of the hotle and not ilke an intern.

I really enjoy caring for guests during breakfast and dinner time, because each guest has individual questions and wishes, so there is absolutely no routine. Other tasks include; controlling the buffets, tidying the pool area, welcoming new arrivals, as well as tour operators, inquiring about the guests' well-being, organising internal meetings, and controlling the implementation of planned activities.

Even though my Spanish was already very good when I started my internship, I am able to improve it every day."

I am very happy and more than content with the organisation of my internship. I'm really enjoying my time here. I'm noticing how my Spanish is improving, the work gives me real pleasure, my colleagues are really friendly and I am one step farther in developing my career; now I know that I would like to work in a hotel. Many thanks for being the catalyst in this realisation! I highly recommend this organisation!"

"Hola! I had a warm welcome on Lanzarote, thanks for asking! There were no problems with the flight and the transfer to the hotel. The hotel is really great and the staff are very nice. Today I was shown around the hotel complex and I am looking forward to starting my internship tomorrow.

Thanks a lot for the quick arrangement of my work placement.

Sunny greetings, Sarah."

"My internship on reception is running smoothly and I am very happy here. The work is interesting and my team is very friendly. I am improving my Spanish skills everyday. Most of the time the weather is exceptionally good (except for today, it's quite cloudy). The beaches on the island are gorgeous and I've already done a lot of exploration of the island.

Best wishes from Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura."

It was definately a very good decision and I am happy that I did the internship. I really enjoy working in the hotel industry and I would like to work in the hotel industry in the future, because I enjoy having contact with other people. I'm really glad that I discovered the Spanish Work Exchange Programme on the Internet. I generally enjoyed my work placement. I learned a lot, improved my Spanish skills and assured myself that working in the hotel sector is the right career path for me."

"I've been back in cold Germany since Wednesday. I would have loved to stay longer on Fuerte, but unfortunately I have to go back to University tomorrow. Anyway, I want to thank you again for the perfect organisation of my internship. I really couldn't have had a better hotel placement.

I got along with the staff very well, which of course contributes to creating a positive work environment. The other employees in the hotel (kitchen, restaurant, entertainment) were all very friendly, and the director was very pleasent. I was lucky with my room mate, as we became friends very quickly. All the interns got along with each other very well and the time we spent together was very memorable.

There was nothing to complain about. I am completely satisfied, just a bit sad now that the time flew by so fast."

I am very pleased with my hotel. The internship is definitely useful in developing my career, it's a great experience, with both advantages and disadvantages. I've learned a lot: not just things like the Check-in process or how to mix cocktails. I am able to look behind the curtain of a 5-star hotel and that really is interesting. After working here for the past two months, I can say that the hotel industry is the right place for me.

My Spanish skills have improved a lot, but my listening skills are still far superior to my speaking skills, but that is going to change soon due to the fact that I´ll be working on reception. The organisation of my internship was great, everything got settled swiftly! In any case, I would recommened the Spanish Work Exchange Programme. I benefited from it a lot."

"I'm really enjoying my internship, the staff are open-minded, they're very nice and I'm gaining lots of experience. My hotel is right on the beach front - it couldn't be closer. Since I enjoy working in the quality management I would like to continue working in this particular department after I finish University. It is great to gain international experiences, to get to know lots of new people, and to improve my language skills. I could very well imagine working abroad. s-w-e-p provided me with a great hotel and I got to work in my department of preference. I feel great, I have settled in well, and the work is just how I expected it would be."

"I've already gained lots of insights into the workflow in a hotel. The entire staff gave me a warm welcome and I'm really enjoying the work. I think the internship is definitely a valuable experience. I had to learn to live with foreign people and to adapt to a whole new culture. At first, I found it a bit difficult, but I settled in very well. As preassumed, I like the hotel industry a lot. After my studies at university I am planning to gain a higher position in the hotel sector."

"All in all I was very satisfied with my placement and would definitely do it again. It was a great experience and was worth it. Compliments to s-w-e-p!"

"Everybody is so nice, I'm in good hands here. My tasks are varied and quite interesting. The accommodation in the hotel is ok and the food is good. Living in a hotel has its advantages - from my apartment I am able to reach my office in 2 minutes. I've gained a lot of practical experience. Thanks s-w-e-p, I was surprised how quickly and smoothly the internship was organised, even though it was done across national boundaries."

"Thanks for inquiring about me, I'm fine. I have settled in very well and the work is just as expected. Unfortunately my Spanish skills are still weak. The locals speak way too fast, so I often don't understand anything at all, although I have been studying Spanish for 2 years. This is very frustrating and sometimes a bit embarrassing, especially when dealing with the Spanish hotel guests. Fortunately, I get a lot of support by my colleagues in the reception department. I cannot answer telephone calls yet, but I've been on Tenerife for just 3 weeks now and am sure that my Spanish will improve during the next few weeks.

My internship is due to last 20 weeks. It is a bit stressful, because I have never worked 40 hours per week. Right now I only go out on my days off. The night-life here is great. There are heaps of bars/nightclubs and during the day I relax at the beach.

I have already met tonnes of nice people - it is very international here. My hotel is fairly large and I work, live and party with interns from other countries like Spain and France. I share my room with Dominique, a French guy, with whom I speak Spanish. I feel comfortable here and am more than happy. Thanks a lot Conny."

"Hello, I'm doing really well. The internship's beeen going great so far. The island is a paradise, miles and miles of white sandy beaches right outside the front door. The food meets all my expectations and is quite nice, although we have to eat in the staff canteen. My colleagues are all Spanish, but I've broken down the language barrier and get along with them very well. Twice a week, a Spanish teacher comes to the hotel to teach me Spanish. This helps me learn new vocabalry and phrases. My colleagues are all very nice to me. I really enjoy working in the entertainment department. Regards Tanja."

"Thanks to s-w-e-p, the best exchange programme in the world! Without you I would never have been able to organise my short-term placement so quickly. The accommodation is really good, as you know, I am living by myself in a hotel room of the purest luxury. Ms. Lassen even visited me to find out, if everything is going well. The internship benefits me a lot, especially for my career development. All in all it is really great! Alone I could never of found such a good internship, so the money was defintely worth it. Best wishes, Kerstin!"

"Dear s-w-e-p-Team, For almost four weeks now, I've been working in the restaurant and I must say that it is really exhausting, my back hurts, and my feet are sore. Please talk to the hotel manager Don Fernando, so that I can change to the entertainment department! I really like the hotel and my colleagues, especially those in the restaurant, but it's too hard."

In Daniela's case, we decided that changing the department would be best for her and talked to the hotel manager. One week later she started working in the entertainment department.

Everythings going really well. With the choice of the hotel and the department, you have completely fulfilled my expactations and wishes. I am able to do many tasks independently, so I am a great support to the hotel director. I am really busy, but that is a lot better than sitting around and being bored.

Since I am very committed, the director has explained the contractual arrangements with the respective tour operators to me, so I am now able to handle the monthly settlements with the reception manager. Due to my strong commitment the director has offered me a job after my internship finishes. From April onwards, I will work as a receptionist with a contract and good salary at the hotel. I am very pleased about this development. When I left Germany, I already had the idea in my mind to stay on Fuerteventura if I liked it. Thank you for the terrific organisation of my placement."