Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives

Suziena Khadgi, FHSDHM 2016 Intake

Upon landing on one of the most desirable holiday destination, the Tropical Paradise of Asia, Maldives; I knew right away that I was going to have the best time of my life during those six months. As I landed my first step out of the plane, feeling the hot humid summer breeze in my face and smelling the whole different smell of Maldivian Island’s air was an incredible experience. 45 minutes private speed boat ride from the port in front of the airport took us directly to our destination ; Taj Coral Reef Resort and Spa.

Our home for next 6 months. I was to start working two days after my arrival. The best part of the hotel was it offered internship opportunities in different departments which included : Front Office, Kitchen, Spa, Food and Beverage, Housekeeping and Human Resources. Fortunately, I was offered a unique opportunity to cross-train in several of these departments. Upon reporting for work the first day and receiving my schedule, I wasn’t actually delighted for I was placed in Spa and thought there was nothing much I could learn. Contrary to what was thought I had the best Spa Manager, Dr. Levelers who never hesitated to teach me new things and always motivated and urge me to learn new things and develop my communication skills and was also able to transfer her salesmanship.

The life lessons she would narrate was something I could implement all my life which I believe no operational knowledge ever could take over. Followed by Housekeeping, Front Office, and many others, 6 months was a roller coaster ride. Likewise, Front Office and Food and Beverage Service made me more confident and taught me about hotel’s products, the usage of opera, types of clientele and their preferences and choices and also fed the sense of public relation in me. Housekeeping was more of a physical job which I thought I would never like but to my surprise, it was one of the most memorable experience for me, creating happiness for people and welcoming the repeaters through different forms of art was a different experience (towel art, bed decoration, Room decor)

Meeting new people and bidding farewell to a week old friend (guests) became the everyday phenomenon. Beach, Sand, Sea and Sun started becoming familiar, Stingrays who visited at 5 pm every day to be fed made it more interesting. Made friends from across the globe for lifetime and built hundreds of memories to cherish and of course ticked few off the bucket list. Overall the whole experience was wonderful and I had the most amazing time back in the Tropical Paradise professionally as it did help me in my further journey and also on personal level which is going to be in my heart forever.