Resiliency and Multiculturalism (Stories of Hospitality Management Interns Abroad)

Abstract

Internship abroad is one of the programs of the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines. The program provides opportunities to acquire practical knowledge, skills and desirable attitudes in reputable establishments in foreign countries. Hospitality management students are among those who benefit from the program. International internship significantly contributed to the preparation of future hospitality workforce for a culturally diverse industry. Through narrative inquiry, this qualitative study took a closer look at the experiences of hospitality management interns in a foreign country. Rigors of the findings were ensured while using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. Five themes emerged, namely, (a) Intermingling Emotions, (b) Acceptance of the Events Happening in their Lives, (c) Challenging Experiences, (d) Communication Barriers, (e) Multicultural Work Environment. The stories of the interns revealed that the program has helped in their technical, professional, physical and psychological and social development. Results may be used by the institution for improvement of the implementation of the internship abroad program.