Allison Werries

Overall Experience

My time in the Bahamas was an eye-opening experience into the tourism and hospitality industry in the Caribbean. This trip offered fun experiences and behind-the-scenes tours most tourists would not have the opportunity to see. We got to tour many resorts such as Baha Mar, Atlantis, the Four Seasons Ocean Club, and Margaritaville. Throughout the duration of this trip, I got to experience Bahamian culture and learn about the history of the country. We did a People to People Experience, where we were graciously invited to have dinner at a Bahamian family's home, where they served us an authentic meal and allowed us to see what living in the Bahamas is like. Additionally, we spent a day at the University of the Bahamas and got a lecture on the history and insight into what being a hospitality student in the Bahamas looks like. Through this trip, my roommate and I became lifelong friends and got to know each other well. I know the people on this trip so well, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know such a diverse group of people.

Learning experience

One of the most valuable learning experiences from the trip was when we toured the Four Season's Ocean Club, a very luxurious hotel on the island. This hotel puts a large emphasis on the customer experience and truly wants us to learn from their company. The Four Seasons company has a profile on every single guest who has ever stayed at a Four Seasons hotel. They will know your name upon arrival, how you like steak cooked, and any allergies you may have. This dedication to customer experience is why they have so many returning guests and what makes them stand out from other luxury hotel chains. Not every company can live up to the expectations of the Four Seasons, but the important takeaway was that customer experience sets you apart. Even as a guest touring our guide asked us questions and took the time to get to know us. She asked us questions about what the hotel could do to be better and more intuitive to the guests' needs. This tour was very thoughtful and really made me consider customer experience in the event and hospitality industry.

Memorable experience

The most memorable experience I have from my trip is the Blue Lagoon Island day. This day was jam-packed with activities like a dolphin encounter, watching sea lions, swimming with sharks, and roaming around Paradise Island. We all sat outside a cafe later and got to know each other better, and chatted. At the dolphin encounter, we had all got to hug and kiss the dolphin and got to learn about the dolphin and the conservation efforts that the island has for them. It was a super fun day with lots of fun memories.

What did you not expect?

Something I didn't expect was how truly hospitable the Bahamian people are. I cannot put into words how much my expectations were exceeded by the people who hosted us. We got to do a People to People experience at a local family's house, and they were so kind to allow all 13 of us into their home and feed us. Our driver, Mr. Wellington, was extremely friendly and accommodating to us and would tell us all about the Bahamas from a local's perspective. All of our tour guides at the resorts were very friendly and very open to answering questions as we went along. I was truly impressed by how above and beyond the Bahamian people went to make our trip special, and that is something I will remember when it's time for me to make someone else's experience amazing. I have to go above and beyond.

What advice would you give?

My advice to other students looking to study abroad is to find an experience that caters to your interests. I found that I enjoyed the fact that everything was catered to events and hospitality, and it really interested me because that's my major. On tours, I felt like I could ask more event-related questions that I would not get on just a regular family vacation. Everything was centered around my interests, which really kept me engaged and interested.

How has this experience impacted your life?

This trip has impacted the way I view the hospitality industry. Being able to see behind the scenes was a great way to get a glimpse into all of the different directions that the industry can take you. One of the most interesting aspects of this trip was that we often didn't speak with actual General Managers or Event Planners at the resort, but instead, the sales team was our point of contact. The emphasis on selling and creating a good customer experience was something that the sales professionals mentioned a lot. Sales is an incredibly important part of the industry, and I often forget how crucial it is. Other than professional development, I gained a lot of unique perspectives from my peers on my trip and got to learn about the different experiences in their lives. Getting to know people outside of my typical social circle was refreshing!

How did you learn about this experience?

I learned about this experience when someone came in to talk to my class about the trip. It sounded fun and interesting, so I decided to apply.

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