Petra chose to do her internship in the Italian Floating City:

Hey! Where are you from? Where do you study/live/work?
My name is Petra Horváth and I’m from Hungary. Since last year, I’ve been living in Randers, Denmark, where I study Hotel and Restaurant Management. A minimum three-month internship is part of the third semester, and I had the chance to spend this time in Venice, Italy. I’m currently working at a hotel in a lovely little spot in the heart of the city, near the Accademia and St. Mark’s Square.

What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in Italy?
The first thing I noticed was how terrible the weather was! It sounds funny, but Italy is known as the land of sunshine, so I was surprised that it was raining.

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and Italy?
One big difference was the personality of the people who live here. Not necessarily just the Italians (there are many foreigners living and working in Venice), but honestly, everyone has such an open mind. When I first arrived, I didn’t know anyone except for the owner of my apartment. But after just a month, I found myself saying “ciao! come stai?”on nearly every street corner! I meet people just by sitting outside at Campo San Polo near my apartment, going out to eat, or simply walking around Venice. I can’t imagine randomly talking to strangers on the street in Hungary or Denmark, but here it’s completely normal.

What does your typical workday look like?
In July and August, I worked as a waitress in the hotel restaurant, and the rhythm of my workday depended on my shift. If I worked the breakfast shift, I started at 7:30 or 8:30 a.m. The hotel has a breakfast buffet, so my colleagues and I made coffee, set the tables, and checked that everything was stocked at the buffet. Breakfast ended at 11:00. After that, we prepared the restaurant and terrace for lunch, which we served from 12:00 to 15:00. Later in the afternoon, the bar opened — and it was usually very busy. Dinner started at 19:00 and we closed around 23:00 or a bit earlier, depending on how many guests we had.

I did all the typical waitress duties: taking orders, serving food, preparing drinks, cleaning tables, and so on. Honestly, I really enjoyed working as a waitress. It’s fun to talk to and connect with so many different people throughout the day, and I love the idea that I might be adding something positive to someone’s day. One morning during breakfast, a couple from Australia asked me what I did to be so cheerful every single day. I couldn’t answer anything other than: “I just love my job.” No secrets.

On September 1st, I switched positions and started working at the hotel’s front office. It’s a very different type of work – more like an office job – but I’m actually glad I get to experience this side of the hotel as well. At the reception, we welcome guests, handle check-ins and check-outs, provide information (about public transport, restaurant bookings), manage bookings, and basically handle everything going on in the hotel. Like my teacher often said back in Denmark: “The reception desk is the hub of the hotel.” And that’s exactly what makes this job so enjoyable.

What’s the work atmosphere like at your internship company?
The work atmosphere is friendly but professional. We’re a small team in the restaurant – two people in the kitchen and two to three on the floor – and the same goes for the reception. Usually, we work in teams of three. The hotel doesn’t have many employees, so we all know each other well, which really helps with working efficiently.

Have you ever felt homesick? How did you deal with it?
In the first few days, there were moments when I felt a bit lonely, but to be honest, I wouldn’t call it homesickness. During my year in Denmark, I learned that whenever I feel lonely, I can always call my mom, dad, sister, or whoever I need — and that always helps.

Do you feel at home in Venice? Why or why not?
I feel at home in Italy because I’ve made friends, I know where to get the best pasta, and where to find the best coffee in the morning. These days, I hardly ever get lost in the city anymore! During the first few weeks, I struggled with the Italian language, but it got better day by day. That made me more confident and helped me find my place here.

Give us some tips on who to make friends with abroad. The Russians? The Irish? The Chileans?
I met people from many different countries, both at work and outside of work, but I don’t think it’s worth choosing friends based on nationality. I’d say Italians are super friendly, and even if you’re not close friends, you can be sure they’ll always have time for a chat.

Describe the people of Venice in three words.
Passionate, open-hearted, and social.

What have you learned from your experience abroad? Was it the lovely community you enjoyed? The cheap cocktails? The beautiful nature? Or was your experience less than expected? We want the details!
Actually, I haven’t finished my internship yet, but it already feels like I’ve learned more about life and people in these two months than I did in the past five years. It’s been an incredibly valuable experience for my studies, especially because I’ve had the opportunity to see every part of the hotel. This will help me decide where I want to work in the future and what really interests me. I’ve also built great relationships with colleagues and friends – they’ve even promised to help me find a job after graduation. And these four months in Venice haven’t just been educational – they’ve been the time of my life. I love this city, and there’s no doubt I’ll never forget the memories I’ve made here!