Praktikum

Jetwing Sea Hotel

Janik F., Leisure and Tourism Management, 7. Fachsemester, Sri Lanka, Negombo, Wintersemester 25/26

An Internship That Was Harder but More Valuable than Expected

Internship Search and Application

My internship in Sri Lanka came about through a personal connection. My family lived in Sri Lanka when I was very young, and we still have close friends there. Through one of these contacts I was able to connect with the Human Resources department at Jetwing Hotels. After a short email exchange we arranged an online interview where we discussed my studies, expectations and possible placement within the company. A few days later I received confirmation that I could complete my internship as a Front Office Management Trainee at Jetwing Sea in Negombo.

My advice for other students would be to start looking early and not hesitate to use personal contacts if they exist. Especially in countries outside Europe, networking can play a significant role in opening opportunities.

Preparation and Accommodation

Preparation for the internship mainly involved completing the Erasmus paperwork and organizing the visa process. Overall, the administrative preparation was manageable, but it required some patience as documents and confirmations sometimes took time.

The hotel provided both accommodation and meals. Living directly on the hotel property made daily life easy, as everything was close by and I did not have to worry about transportation. The rooms for staff were very basic and shared, which is quite normal in the Sri Lankan hospitality industry. While this was different from what I was used to in Europe, it also helped me better understand the everyday reality of many people working in tourism there.

Work and Internship Experience

During the internship I worked in the Front Office department of the hotel. At the beginning my role was mainly to observe the daily operations, learn procedures and understand how the department works. Over time I became more involved in operational tasks and responsibilities.

A particularly interesting moment during my internship was the implementation of a new Property Management System. Because the system was new for the entire team, everyone had to learn it at the same time. This gave me the opportunity to get deeply involved in the operational processes and support the team in solving technical and reservation-related issues.

The internship also exposed me to situations that you usually only hear about in theory. During my stay the hotel experienced both a severe cyclone and a fire on the roof of the lobby area. While both situations were handled without injuries, they showed how important teamwork, communication and quick decision-making are in hospitality operations.

One thing that required adjustment for me were the working hours. Hospitality in Sri Lanka can be very demanding and working days were often much longer than what I was used to in Europe. At first this was quite challenging, but over time I adapted and learned a lot about resilience and responsibility in a professional environment.

Culture, Language and Everyday Life

Living and working in Sri Lanka for several months gave me a deeper insight into the local culture than short visits ever could. The people are extremely welcoming and friendly, which made everyday life enjoyable even when work was demanding.

A noticeable difference was the language situation. While English is widely used with guests, internal communication between employees often happens in Sinhala. This sometimes made it harder to follow discussions or understand certain operational details. However, it also encouraged me to observe more carefully and communicate more clearly.

Outside of work I used my days off to explore different parts of the country. Sri Lanka offers an incredible variety of landscapes within relatively short distances: beaches, mountains, tea plantations and national parks. These trips helped me relax from the demanding work schedule and made the overall experience better.

Tips for Future Students

For students considering an internship in Sri Lanka or a similar destination, my main advice would be to come with an open mind and realistic expectations. Working conditions can be very different from Europe, especially in the hospitality sector. Being flexible and patient is important.

At the same time, it is also important to make the most of the experience outside of work. Traveling around the country, meeting local people and experiencing everyday life are just as valuable as the professional learning during the internship.

Conclusion

Looking back, the internship was definitely a challenging experience, but also a very valuable one. Living and working in Sri Lanka allowed me to gain insight into the tourism industry from a completely different perspective.

While the working conditions were sometimes demanding, the experience helped me grow both professionally and personally. I developed a better understanding of international hospitality operations, intercultural communication and the realities of tourism work in a developing country.

Overall, the internship gave me experiences and perspectives that I would not have gained in a more familiar environment, and for that reason I am very grateful for the opportunity.