TWENTY-THREE student interns from the Florida International University (FIU) spent a week in Jamaica learning about the island’s captivating culture and participating in an immersive training exercise at Beaches Ocho Rios.

The internship programme, now in its second year, is a partnership between Sandals Resorts International (SRI), Sandals Corporate University (SCU), and FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

On arrival, the students were treated to a warm welcome dinner during which Charles Blacher, general manager, Beaches Ocho Rios, lauded the programme and expressed his pleasure at hosting the second contingent of students.

“This is certainly a move that solidifies the partnership that we have with FIU. I had the pleasure of spending a week with all the other general managers two years ago at FIU where we discussed this and other programmes. We are grateful that it is doing so well and we hope that it will continue for many years to come,” said Blacher.

In the meantime, Jeremy Jones, corporate director, resort operations for Jamaica, at SRI, shared with the students some background information emphasising how strategic and intentional SRI is in the countries it operates.

“We are intentional with our brand because we want our guests to experience the warmth of the people and the beauty of the countries they visit. We also want you to experience these same things and so much more while you’re here this week. You form part of the future of this great industry and we are excited that you get to be with us along our journey,” said Jones.

Throughout the week, students toured Sandals and Beaches hotels in the Ocho Rios region and were split into small groups as they went off to learn how each department works so as to ensure operations run smoothly on a daily basis.

At the end of the week students shared their thoughts on the experiences.

“Staying here this week has been more than I anticipated. The team members have been so welcoming; they have helped to enrich our educational experiences. My major is event management and I’m so excited to take all that I’ve learnt here this week and apply it in my field. I extend gratitude to all who made our stay here possible and I hope it continues for years to come so that other students can come and be inspired,” said FIU student Morgan Thomas.

Her views were shared by Nicolas Rangel De Pinto, a FIU hospitality major who was amazed that upon arrival he felt right at home.

“As soon as we arrived and got off the bus everyone greeted us by saying welcome home — and for me that is what hospitality is all about. The valuable lessons that we’ve learnt in just a week speaks to the amazing team members and how well they are trained. Everyone was so patient and took the time to explain the operations quite well. It was great to work alongside them and I’m looking forward to working in the industry. It’s truly been inspiring,” he said.

During their stay the students were also treated to treetop zip lining, exploring St Ann’s Blue Hole, as well as interacting with microscopic organisms at Luminous Lagoon in Falmouth, Trelawny.

On their last day students visited Boscobel Primary School where they partnered with Sandals Foundation and Pack For A Purpose as they presented several parcels of school supplies for donation as well as took the time to read, interact and play with students.