Although at different stages of their educational journeys, Bachelor students Natalia Kossek and Imraan Lambert know how valuable internships can be for their future employment prospects. That’s why both attended our on-campus Recruitment Day, which gave them the perfect opportunity to speak to more than 90 employers who could provide them with potential placements.
Internships form a vital part of a Glion education and for good reason. As well as giving students the opportunity to put what they’ve learned in the classroom into practice in a real-world working environment, they are also great for network building and can even provide a stepping stone to that all-important first postgraduate role.
Having now completed their latest internships, Natalia and Imraan took the time to talk to The Insider about what they did, their main challenges, how they overcame them and what they have learned in the process.
The Insider (TI): Where did you carry out your internships?
Natalia Kossek (NK): My first internship as an F&B trainee with Kempinski in Switzerland gave me a solid foundation in luxury hospitality, but I wanted to explore a different facet of the industry in my next role – specifically, within a smaller, more niche luxury brand. With that in mind, I accepted a position as a Business Development Intern at By Dariia Day, a Paris-based luxury brand that specializes in high-end silk products.
This gave me a valuable opportunity to work directly with the founder Dariia Day and her husband – a Glion alumnus called Xavier Rimbaud – as well as to get involved in the brand’s strategy, operations and growth. I had my office in Mr Rambaud’s longevity clinic, Maison Epigenetic, and I also had a chance to help him with several tasks.
Imraan Lambert (IL): I was Guest Relations Agent at Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Dubai, a position I secured through Glion’s career service portal. But the real game-changer was the Recruitment Day. It provided me with the tools to sharpen my interview skills and, crucially, the chance to connect directly with industry leaders and potential employers. Those connections and preparations made all the difference in turning my internship dream into reality.
TI: What did your internship entail and what did you enjoy most about it?
IL: My main duties involved engaging with guests, welcoming visitors, anticipating their needs and collaborating closely with various other hotel departments to deliver flawless service. No two days were the same and that ever-changing environment was really motivating and helped me grow personally and professionally. The highlight for me was helping create memorable moments for guests, especially celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries. It was genuinely rewarding to see the joy on their faces and made me feel like I was delivering the true essence of hospitality.
NK: My main tasks were reviewing e-commerce metrics, checking online sales performance and supporting the founder with various business development activities, which included planning marketing strategies, coordinating partners and conducting market research. I also helped manage social media content, customer relations and logistics, plus I occasionally got involved in creative tasks such as product styling or assisting during campaign photo shoots, including for Vogue, which were really exciting and inspiring experiences. What I enjoyed most was being involved in a project to develop an upcoming makeup line, from initial concept and product formulation to branding and packaging design. It was deeply rewarding to observe the whole creative and strategic process.
TI: What did you find most challenging about your internship and how did you overcome that?
NK: Getting used to life in a new city. Moving to Paris after being used to the calm and quiet of Switzerland was a big change. Paris can feel overwhelming at times and what was especially difficult was the feeling of being alone in such a big city. There are people everywhere, but when you don’t know anyone, it can feel a bit lonely. To get through it, I tried to stay positive and open. I made an effort to talk more with my colleagues, go to events and explore the city on my own. Little by little, I started to feel more comfortable and connected. In the end, this challenge helped me become more independent and confident in new situations.
IL: One of the biggest challenges was communicating effectively under pressure, whether that was dealing with guests from different cultures or busy colleagues during peak hours. I tackled this by listening actively, remaining calm and adapting quickly according to the situation. Doing this also helped me understand the hotel’s intricate operations better and strengthened my ability to anticipate and respond to needs.
TI: What have you learned from the experience?
NK: My internship was a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in multiple aspects of a luxury startup and to understand how passion, creativity and strategic thinking come together to build a strong brand. Seeing a product come to life from the ground up was an unforgettable learning experience and it gave me a whole new appreciation for the beauty and luxury industries.
In particular, helping on By Dariia Day’s new makeup line demonstrated the value of teamwork and communication and showed me how important time management is. I worked closely with the owner, who helped me organize work more efficiently and showed me how to prioritize, stay focused and manage deadlines. Overall, the experience has taught me how to approach problems creatively and inspired me to continue growing personally and professionally.
IL: The most profound lesson I learned during my internship is that hospitality is an art that begins with the heart. No matter your role, authentic connection and empathy are the foundation of an exceptional guest experience. It’s about going beyond procedures to create moments that resonate deeply with people on a personal level.
I feel I’ve gained more intercultural sensitivity during my time with Grosvenor House and sharpened my communication skills, which has enabled me to build rapport and trust with guests and colleagues from all corners of the globe. Ultimately, it’s given me a deeper appreciation of empathy, resilience and human connection and ignited my passion for a career dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that touch people’s lives.
TI: How did your Glion education help during your internship?
IL: My studies at Glion have given me a comprehensive understanding of how every department within a hotel operates individually and in concert with others. This insight proved invaluable during my internship. The knowledge I’ve gained from the classroom has made it much easier for me to collaborate with colleagues in other departments towards our ultimate goal: ensuring guests experience seamless, exceptional service from check-in to check-out.
NK: I’ve built up a solid foundation in business management, hospitality and customer experience while studying at Glion, all of which helped me during my internship at By Dariia Day. The international focus has helped me work effectively in a multicultural environment such as Paris, while courses in marketing and entrepreneurship gave me the tools to understand branding and business development. These were especially useful when I contributed to launching the new makeup line, which meant I had to think strategically about market needs, customer expectations and product positioning.
TI: Do you have any advice for future interns?
NK: I’d recommend using internship experiences as opportunities to explore different types of workplaces and discover what truly fits your interests and working style. For example, my first internship was at a large hotel chain, where I learned a lot about structure and operations in a big organization. This time, I chose to work at a smaller, creative business to experience a more flexible and hands-on environment. Both helped me understand what kind of setting I thrive in.
IL: Be curious and open. Hospitality is ever-evolving and the best professionals are those who embrace every new lesson with enthusiasm and humility. Stay adaptable, listen intently and never stop learning. These attributes will set you apart and ensure you get the most out of the experience.
- To discover more about Bachelor's degree internships, visit the dedicated page of our website
