Rahul Kumar is a participant in the 2019 Sustainable Tourism Professional Practicum from La Trobe University. Rahul is studying a Bachelor of Business majoring in Tourism and Hospitality.
Q: Why did you decide to undertake this ACICIS Professional Practicum?
I love to experience different cultures and I think this was the main reason why I chose to undertake this program. I had a lovely time in Indonesia and learnt a lot from this course.
Q: How will the Professional Practicum benefit or influence your future career?
This was my first professional practicum. Having completed it, I know that it will benefit my future career because I have learnt a lot of new things about the tourism and hotel industry, built my networks , gained confidence and greater cross-cultural understanding and inter-personal skills.
Q: Which organisation are you interning with? What are your roles and responsibilities?
I was interning with Bloo Lagoon Eco Village. My role was to develop the social networks of the organization as well as the housekeeping, front office and food & beverage departments. The main target we were given was to increase the occupancy of the villas by giving guests the best service and maintaining a high retention rate of guests.
Q: How have you found the work culture of your host organisation? How is it different to work experience in Australia?
I found the work culture of my host organisation to be incredible because there were few language barriers. The staff working at my organisation were always cheerful and easy-going. I used to ask them countless questions and they never tired of answering them or providing me with any help I required.
Q: Would you like to return to work in Indonesia again in future?
I would love to go back to Indonesia and have another wonderful experience.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time in Indonesia?
I liked going to different places around Bali’s mainland. Next time I go back, I would like to visit Nusa Penida and Lombok.
Q: Favourite place to eat? Favourite Indonesian food?
Nasi Goreng. There were too many places to pick just one, but one of my favourite places was Helix 64 which was a restaurant in Bloo Lagoon.
Q: Favourite Indonesian word/phrase?
Apa kabar? – “How are you”
Q: What places in Indonesia have you visited during your practicum so far?
Gilli Trawangan, Padangbai and the Bali mainland.