Life as an intern – insights into an internship placement

“I’m currently doing a two-month hotel internship on the beautiful island of Tenerife, working in the Public Relations Department.

One of the best things about my internship placement is that I get to share it with my friend — in the same hotel and even the same department! It’s such a gift to experience all of this together. 🥰🙏🏻💕

The hotel itself is fantastic, and the people are even better. Each Friday, there’s a new theme, and the whole hotel transforms to match. My first working day at the hotel, we went full hippie style — think giant peace sign, VW Bully decorations, and everyone in colorful outfits. The energy was contagious!

What I love most is the Spanish mentality. People are always smiling, welcoming, and ready to pass on their good mood.

Here, everything is a reason to celebrate…

“I completed an internship in the Reception Department of a 4-star hotel on Lanzarote, and it turned out to be so much more than just work experience.

At the beginning, I was focused on finding a routine, something that really helps me feel grounded in a new environment. Luckily, my colleagues were incredibly welcoming and supportive, which made the adjustment much smoother.

As the weeks went by, I started to feel more confident and settled into my role. I learned a lot about how a hotel operates.

But more than that, I learned a lot about myself.

Outside of work, I took full advantage of my time on the island. I explored the Lanzarote and even got to see a bit of Fuerteventura. It was the perfect balance of professional growth and personal discovery. 💪🏻

“During my internship placement I met amazing people, grew as a person and learnt a lot along the way. In my home country I am studying to become a beautician, so the internship in the Spa Department helped me a lot for my future career.

I got a different perspective and was able to collect work experience. My work was to perform various body and facial treatments, pedicures, manicures as well as different kinds of massages. Additionally, I was able to look into the hairdressing department and learned even more! I enjoy the work as a beautician a lot. It is not only about the treatments you perform but also about the experience that you give the customer.

You help people feel relaxed after a massage, refreshed after a manicure, or confident after a hairdressing appointment. It’s all about making them feel better. I really enjoyed being able to apply my theoretical knowledge in a practical way. Learning by doing was such a rewarding experience! 😉

“My internship placement was in the Restaurant and Bars Department of a 4-star hotel in Costa Rica.

I enjoyed every moment of it. My colleagues welcomed me warmly and I felt like I was part of the team. The atmosphere was very homely. 😍

I got to be part of the organization of romantic dinners for several hotel guests. We set up a table at the beach and decorated around it. We laid rose petals along the path to the table, and torches lined the way.

Additionally, the hotel hosted weddings, and I also got engaged in them. It was really nice to take part in these special occasions and help give the guests an unforgettable time during their holiday.

For me, the time in Costa Rica was unforgettable as well, and I am beyond glad I did this.”

“We did our internships at a 4-star hotel on the beautiful island of Tenerife and it was nothing short of unforgettable. One of the best parts?

We got to share the experience together, which made every moment even more special.

From day one, we dove into a mix of learning, adventure, and fun. We worked in a dynamic hotel environment where we grew professionally, took on real responsibilities, and gained hands-on insight into the hospitality industry.

Our internship placement gave us the perfect balance of professional development and personal discovery. 🌎🥰

Outside of work, the island became our playground. We explored hidden beaches, hiked through breathtaking landscapes, and watched fiery sunsets paint the sky from the sand.

“I settled in very quickly during my internship placement. I had a team of six people plus a supervisor in the Entertainment department. The team was made up of people aged 19 to 24 from different countries.

I shared my room with an employee from Alicante, and it turned out to be a great thing, as it made it much easier to settle into the team. Additionally, I improved my Spanish since my roommate was teaching me. Nevertheless, the team mostly communicated in English.

We had breakfast in the main restaurant with the guests, lunch in the staff canteen, and dinner again in the restaurant. The food was so good, including Italian dishes such as pizza and pasta, as well as Spanish and English cuisine.

I worked five days a week with two days off. We organized games for the kids and adults and dressed up for the evening shows or the mini disco. We had a lot of fun dressing up.

“If you’re thinking about doing an internship abroad – go for it! ☀👍

I absolutely loved my internship placement in Malta. It was an incredible experience that honestly couldn’t have been better.

From the very beginning, my colleagues were warm, welcoming, and super friendly. They made me feel right at home.

I had so much fun at work and was constantly learning new things. I got to experience all areas of the restaurant department: taking orders, serving drinks, cleaning tables, you name it!

There were many interns, and we quickly became like a little international family. We created a WhatsApp group to stay in touch and plan meet-ups, trips, and nights out. It was always a bit sad when someone’s internship ended, but new interns kept arriving, and the circle kept growing.

“My internship placement on Lanzarote was a lot of fun. From the very start, I knew it was going to be a good experience.

There were lots of other interns at my hotel, which made everything even more fun. We were always doing something together, whether it was going out in the evenings, exploring the island, or enjoying boat tours and other adventures on our days off.

Lanzarote itself is stunning! The landscapes are so unique and full of character — volcanic rock, palm-lined beaches, and that incredible year-round sunshine. The island’s vibe was just perfect.

I did my practical training in the Entertainment department, which suited me perfectly since I study sport. My job, along with the other team members, was to make sure the guests had an amazing time. We ran aerobics sessions, water gymnastics, fun competitions, and took part in games.

“I recently completed an internship in the Human Resources Department of a hotel.

My internship placement was in Malta and I loved it there. 💖

What I really appreciated about my internship was that I truly learnt a lot, not just professionally but also personally.

In the beginning, it was a little bit overwhelming because of all the new tasks and information, but I got used to it. My main tasks included processing applications and managing employee records. I also supported recruitment activities, which I found particularly interesting.

I helped organize interviews and was involved in contract and payroll management. By having these responsibilities, I significantly improved my task management skills.

“S-W-E-P organized our work placement in a way that allowed us to work in the same hotel and even in the same department, which made the experience even more special.

We were really happy to be able to do our internships together and create lasting memories as a team.

The agency also helped us to get in touch with more interns of other hotels, and we quickly arranged to meet up. We had a great time together and got along very well from the start.

One of the best parts of a hotel internship is meeting so many people from different backgrounds, both among the guests and fellow interns.

Working in the Reception Department gave us the opportunity to improve our Spanish and English significantly.

“My practical training was divided between two departments, allowing me to gain a well-rounded and enriching experience.

I began my internship placement in the Food & Beverage Department, which I absolutely loved. Preparing and serving drinks while engaging with guests comes naturally to me. It’s something I truly enjoy.

Working in such a lively environment helped me develop strong communication skills and improve my language abilities. Since most of the guests were German or English speakers, both foreign languages for me, I improved significantly in both. And of course, being in Spain, I practiced Spanish daily and the progress I made was incredible.

After about three months, I transitioned into the Reception Department, where I quickly learned the core front office tasks. I was eager to absorb as much as possible, knowing how valuable this knowledge would be for my future career in hospitality.

“My internship placement was in the Reception Department of a hotel on the island of Tenerife.

When selecting my internship destination, one key factor for me was the opportunity to continue surfing in my free time. I was very happy that S-W-E-P considered my preferences and arranged my placement accordingly.

Tenerife turned out to be the perfect location, not only for its waves, but also for its beautiful landscapes and outdoor lifestyle.

The island’s natural beauty made it easy to enjoy life outside of work. I often spent time outdoors, going on hikes, having picnics, or simply relaxing in nature. It was the ideal environment to balance work and leisure.

From a professional perspective, working in the Reception Department gave me valuable insight into hotel operations and front office procedures.

“The most memorable thing about my hotel work placement was definitely the people I worked with. We learned so much from each other. I spent three wonderful months with them that I will never forget.

During my free time, I enjoyed exploring the surrounding area and traveling throughout Costa Rica. Traveling by bus is very cheap there. It can be a bit time-consuming, but it’s definitely worth it to see the amazing nature and landscapes of Costa Rica.

There are so many great tours and activities to do. I went horseback riding, zip-lining, and rappelling, all amazing experiences. The local people are very open, friendly, and helpful whenever I had a question or found myself a bit lost.

All in all, I had a lot of fun exploring Costa Rica, and I definitely want to go back to see more. 🦜🏄‍♂️🦥🌴