.Rosie,

.after reading such a passionate story about your dream, i believe you will eventually make it come true, for someone like you who put serious thoughts in this career planning topic

.your story reminds me of two girls i know who participated in the "Work & Travel in USA" program as well .but i don't think they signed up because "operating a hotel" was their initial dreams .they did it because this Hospitality Management course was a trend for college students 2-3 years ago

.anyway, about "working in a hotel for a year so that I can learn the way how hotel is running in a developing country, America" that i suggest you should rethink twice .i know how the girls worked there .and it's not like you picture how nice it would be .if you want to get professional experiences, try working in hotels in HCM like A&E Hotels, or Tân Hải Vân/Tân Hải Long Hotels .their hotel models are proven successful in HCM .if you wanna operate your own hotel, that's where I think you should start up .and if you still doubt about their managing abilities, go working at Sofitel, Caravelle, or Sheraton, they provide international services and surely you will learn a lot of experience in there

.sometimes oversea business models might not work well at other countries

.that’s all I think, Rosie .the final decision is yours .other than that, Mr. Harvey will give you a more accurate and professional guidance

.Minh

Hi Phat Minh Tran,

It's been for a while but I always remember you since the day I joined Anphabe and started my very first questions.:)

In terms of the Work & Travel program, it's 1 year left before I decide to go (starting time for registeration is the end of 2012). I myself want to ask for as much advice as possible before making the final decision too. Thank you so much for sharing with me the story of these two girls and giving me your own advice.:) You know, the idea of working in another country, as I think, is for broadening the oppoturnity for me to work for big hotels as you named in Vietnam - Sheraton, Catavelle, Sofitel,... or others like Intercontinential, Renaissance Riverside, etc. Perhaps I wouldn't apply much of the foreign business model, I suppose there are still many other trivial things, what I learn from, that somehow would help.

Anyways, I'm curious about how "it's not like you picture how nice it would be" when your friends were working there.:) Actually, I haven't found much information about this program yet since I have few other things needed to be dealed first at the moment. Any sharing on this is welcomed.:)

Rosie

Hi Rosie,

I think I can see your your dream as it was mine 20 yrs ago.
I fully agree with what Chris & Phat Minh suggested to you. There are many opportunites in the hotel industry for working & studying if you determined to commit yourself. From my knowledge & experience in this field, it's so interesting in Hospitality Management study, but working in it could be a challenge. It requires your attitude,behaviour and appearance must be in professional manner all times. Beside that, many complex issues involved various customers would cause you very pressured.
I saw the ads of "work & travel in US" program from local newspapers in Australia over 10 yrs ago and now it's going to VN. My question is "Why it looks for people in other countries for this program ?
So, I suggest you find out all related information before making decision and think carefully, rationally with your actions plan. Good luck

Dear Mrs. Tam,

Firstly, thank you so much for valuable information and advice. I am happy that my dream reminds you of something when you were about my age. That's an interesting experience, I guess.:)

Well, when I read your advice, I immediately remembered an article that I read on Linkedin the other day, which says PR pro ranks 2nd as most stressful jobs, according to a study in America, in 2011 ( sorry because I don't remember exactly who studied this). And I was like: "Well.. I hope it isn't true for a PR-in-house position in a hotel".:)

Anyways, I am grateful that somehow, I got some extreme valuable pieces of advice and answers for my questions, which I am happy that I asked.:) I will notice about what you said that "many complex issues involved various customers would cause you very pressured". I will prepare myself for that, and of course, take further than second thought on every decision that I will ever make in the future (including examining few different advices jusk like now). By the way, since all of you told me the same thing about work & travel program, perhaps I know what to do next.:)

I probably will stop right here and continue to respond to Mr.Chris Harvey, what I should have done sooner. Lastly, I hope to get continuous sharing, advice and support from you all. I highly appreciate your spending so much time helping me. Wish you all the best!

Rosie