Jaike van de Wege
“After finishing HAVO, I planned to join the police, but at 17 I was too young to start at the academy. So I decided to take a gap year and work in hospitality instead. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to study Hospitality Management in Leeuwarden. I was looking for a programme that combined theory with practical experience, and that is exactly what I found. Combining my hospitality experience with a minor in HRM also gave me the opportunity to gain real experience in human resources.”
My internship in Curaçao
“For my internship, I moved to Curaçao and started working five days a week in HR and sustainability at LionsDive. My HR tasks include onboarding, background checks, uniforms and other personnel-related work. I also work on sustainability projects, such as waste separation, a large Clean-Up with volunteers and Sustainability Week. I really enjoy being able to come up with my own ideas and seeing them put into practice. For example, I suggested adding extra paper bins in the office and I’m working on a central waste station to make recycling more visible.”
Learning beyond the classroom
“During my studies, I learnt a lot of theory, but my internship has shown me what HR and sustainability really look like in practice. I can see how projects affect people, the planet and the company, and I can immediately apply what I learnt through my minor in HRM. After this internship, I know I want to continue working in HR, with a focus on sustainability. I enjoy helping people, especially employees, and making a difference in their working lives. My advice to other students is simple: just go for it. An internship abroad can be exciting, but you learn so much about your field, yourself and different cultures.”
Where could Hospitality Management take you?
Want to find out more about Hospitality Management? Explore the programme page or join one of our events.