Люба Демьянив - Флорида, США

My internship in the USA

Hello everyone, who is interested in this small thankful letter about the most wonderful year in my life, which I’ve spent in the USA. My name is Lyubov Demyaniv and last year I graduated from Precarpathian National University in Ivano-Frankivsk (English department). As I was working in the hotel industry and really enjoyed my job, I decided to try myself and gain more experience in the beautiful resort in Florida.

 First of all I would like to say a very big THANK YOU to my Ukrainian sponsor "Coliseum". "Friendly and professional stuff of  Ivano-Frankivsk brunch of the company under the rule of  Veronica Rastvortseva did a lot of paperwork and helped me to believe that America is not so far, the world is not so big and can be open for everyone!

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Alex Greevtein, Vice-Consular, whom I had an honor to communicate with in the American Embassy in Kyiv. As I have never been abroad before, there was no surprise that I was little scared, but only in a few minutes I saw a kind smile on his face and from this moment I start to feel what "American Hospitality" phrase really means.

My American sponsor, a school that I was lucky to study in, was American Hospitality Academy. They were ready to help and to give a support any time I needed. Karin Morisson, Missy Saracino, Ms Shaneik (Marco Coordinator) these people were not only my teachers, but my friends and family the whole year. So friendly and understandable, they created a Southern Comfort for hundreds of students from all over the world and gave us a chance to express our possibilities, to speak about our native country, to have a practical training in a beautiful resort. A proof of it is my "National Stars of Service Winner" award, and this is not the only one which I’ve got in the USA!

The Management of Radisson Suite Beach Resort on Marco Island, Florida was really pleased with my hard work and positive attitude, as I was nominated by 3 managers! and won "Making a Difference" award, which is "Employee of the 4’th quarter 2005". It was so great!: diploma, statue with my name on it, $300, a picture together, personal congratulations and recognition from General Manager  and 2 nights in the beautiful Sheraton Safari Hotel in Orlando, Fl.!!! I was so happy to work with experienced managers as June Drew and Nishant Chaudhary. They gave me a huge amount of practical knowledge! I was going to work as to party! Never thought that a foreign student can be treated in such respectful and thankful way!

In a few months my program was going to finish but Radisson was sold out. I expected to be sent home but Karin Morisson, Vice-President of AHA didn’t do that. "You deserve to work with the best from the best",-she said, and sent me for an interview with Marco Beach Ocean Resort. After 40 minutes of questions and with my "excellent mark" for service in Radisson (Shopper’s report 92-100%) I was hired! And it was great as only one applicant from 15 can be so lucky! Then everything was as in a fairy-tail: 5 stars 5 diamonds service experience, wine lessons, intelligent guests, and managers with not only "Yes I can" but "To do a common things uncommonly well" attitude. It was "Sale e Pepe" Italian Restaurant, one of the best in South-West Florida! I had a chance to stay and continue my program for half a year, but I miss home, my family and my Ukraine. I kept a promise to come back in one year and I did it. Now I’m completely different person. The whole world is open for me and I’m ready to see something new. THANKS A LOT TO ALL OF YOU WHO HELPED ME TO OPEN MY WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!