By Jean Maroun bou Malhab
Coming across intercultural experiences is a normal part of life that many of us may or may not try to avoid, as we prefer dealing with familiar thoughts and expressions that tend to be projected towards us. In my case though, I tend to be the one that “may not” try to avoid these experiences.
I truly enjoy meeting and assisting people of “different” cultures around the hotel as it gives me a sense of home. Byblos, my grandfather’s hometown is a city full of vibrance and energy; a home for those seeking lifestyle or just tourism. Spending summers in Byblos is a memory filled with vibrance, energy, and most definitely, intercultural experiences.
On my first day of work, I was quite worried about not fitting in with the “local” – “Maastricht” staff. I thought that I would be “left out” due to being international, but the truth was far from that. On my first day, My colleagues, Marco, Armand, and Benjamin (all of Dutch heritage) welcomed me with open arms. They showed me around the hotel, made acquittance with me, and eventually become quite good friends of mine. We’ve spent quite a lot of time together throughout shifts talking about life, culture, good memories, and work of course. They have helped me out a lot with getting acquainted with the system, the daily “to-do’s” and the hotel’s guests.
I get to interact with people that come from countless countries. I have met the Spanish, French, Moroccans, Americans, Latvians, and many others all by just working in an hotel, centered in the heart of Maastricht. As corny as it may sound, but I tend to pick up on multiple memories from summers in Byblos, all by just interacting with the students, hotel guests, and bar guests. The “vibrance and energy” of this hotel is one that happens to be recollective to my grandfather’s hometown.
Looking back at the mental state that I had placed myself in at the beginning of my internship, I could confidently say that I was far off the truth of reality. A reality that happened to make me feel warm and welcome in an environment that I had never encountered before. I would go back and advise myself to be more positive and open minded before entering the hotel on my first day, but that’s not possible. Leaving me with one, life enhancing choice – to learn from the past and move foreword with eagerness to learn and adapt whilst staying true to myself.
To everyone currently on internship or seeking to go on internship in the future, I would advise you to always have an open-mind that is driven by heart’s true passion to learn and grow with complete diligence and honesty. Life is full of ups and downs, but they tend to be easier to face when we’ve got people around us supporting us and motivating us – often without realizing that the simple encounter of them helps one keep moving forward.
Stay true to yourself, and enjoy all aspects of life ☺
