Chamine ten Wolde

Learning and growing far from home

Leaving my familiar surroundings behind wasn’t easy. “Flying home wasn’t an option,” I say. I focused completely on my work placement, while also writing my dissertation and making the most of island life. It wasn’t always smooth sailing. “In Aruban culture, people usually get just one day off per week, which made it a challenge to stay on schedule and set priorities. Every month I got better at planning and organising my time. I had to constantly motivate myself.”

My internship taught me to balance discipline with enjoyment — to work hard, but also soak up every bit of the island experience.

From trainee to manager

I’m now thriving as a management trainee, fully running operations as a manager. “At first, I had to work hard to earn respect,” I say. “But now I’ve found my place. Every day brings new challenges — and I almost always find a way to solve them.”

From the start, I made it clear that I wanted to be involved in hands-on operational work — and I got exactly that. “Sometimes I wouldn’t get home until 1 a.m., and I’d be back at the office by nine. But that commitment is what got me where I am now.”

Club Margot: turning an empty restaurant into a success story

My biggest pride? Club Margot, a brand-new restaurant I helped build from the ground up. “From food and beverage pairing and tastings to creating the final menu, designing the interior, and recruiting and training the team — I was involved in everything. The restaurant has now been open for nine months and it’s thriving. The feedback has been incredible.”

What makes Club Margot special? “It’s a family-style dining experience — a fixed menu for the whole table, centred on shared dishes. We also have a genuine mixology bar — no standard cocktails, just real craftsmanship.” My name badge reads Banquets & Events, but my heart still lies in F&B and hospitality — the field I fell in love with at thirteen, when I started out as a dishwasher.

Behind the scenes of hospitality

Training staff, writing SOPs, attending meetings, and delivering high-level service — it’s serious business. “Some colleagues have years of experience, which makes introducing new service concepts even more challenging. But that’s exactly where the learning happens: how do you create an unforgettable experience for every guest?”

Learning to delegate and let go

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Delegation. “I like to do everything myself to make sure it’s done right. But as a manager, you have to let go and trust others. I’ve also learned not to take everything personally — and to accept that not everything goes according to plan.”

Letting go became a recurring theme. “I’m a planner by nature — everything has to be on time and neatly ticked off. But here, things just happen as they happen. It felt unnatural at first, but it’s made me far more flexible.”

Dissertation: What are the students’ coping mechanisms in the Aruban hospitality industry, considering Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory?

My dissertation explores the cultural differences between Aruba and the Netherlands, analysing which coping strategies students use to adapt. My goal is to provide insight into these cultural dynamics and offer future Dutch students valuable guidance for their own internships in the Aruban hospitality sector.

Personal growth in fast forward

“Aruba has made me more independent and self-aware,” I explain. “I rent my own car and apartment, do my weekly shopping, manage my finances, and have my own group of friends. I’m really living my adult life here — and it feels great. It’s an incredibly valuable experience.”

Why choose an internship in Aruba?

Let’s be honest — who wouldn’t want to live on a beautiful island with turquoise seas and white sandy beaches? Beyond that, the people are amazing. Divi & Tamarijn is an incredible place to intern. They give you trust and freedom, and if they see potential in you, they let you take real responsibility. You grow so quickly. My advice? Step out of your comfort zone and embrace the adventure. The challenges you face along the way will shape you into a confident and capable leader.

I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world — and I look back with immense pride at all I’ve learned and achieved during my Caribbean journey.