Raffaello during his internship in London

Hey! Where are you from? Where do you study/live/work?

Hey, I’m Raffaello, I’m 19 years old and I’m from Soest. Currently, I’m studying Hospitality Manager/Entrepreneur.

What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in London?

Super cool, because it really is a world city.

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and England?

It’s not that bad, because the countries are very close to each other. Of course, cars drive on the left here, but you get used to that very quickly. My biggest annoyance was that supermarkets sell very different products than in the Netherlands.

What does your typical workday look like?

A normal workday for me starts at 7 am or 3 pm. Then I have to check people in, help with their luggage to the room, and also help people who are not familiar with London to find the fun things to do in London.

How is the working atmosphere at your internship company?

The working atmosphere at my hotel is great!

Have you ever felt homesick? How did you deal with it?

I’ve actually never really felt homesick, only at the beginning you miss your friends. But you know that beforehand when you take on this adventure alone!

Do you feel at home in London? Why (not)?

After 2 months, I already feel completely at home in London because you gradually get to know your way around and discover all the nice restaurants.

Is there a typical local dish that you REALLY can’t eat (or actually really like)?

English Breakfast.

Give us tips on who you should befriend abroad. The Russians? The Irish? The Chileans?

There are lots of Dutch people in London for internships or studies, so I definitely recommend that.

Describe the inhabitants of London in three words.

Polite, Multicultural, and Unique.

What have you learned from your experience abroad? Was it the beloved community you liked? The cheap cocktails? The beautiful nature? Or was your experience less than expected? Details, we want details!

What I’ve learned from London is that it’s very expensive to live here! First of all, a room is ridiculously expensive. Try not to use an agency, because they make it even more expensive. What I do recommend is a room in the city. My room was in the Shoreditch area — of course, you pay a bit more, but it’s really worth it. Secondly, food is expensive, especially if you live alone and have to cook for one person. Try to find someone else who’s also alone and wants to cook together. It saves you money and it’s much more fun because cooking alone is no fun. Thirdly, going out — the prices at clubs can really shock you sometimes. Try to drink something nice at home first, that definitely saves money!