Congratulations to our May MVP, Inno Espende! Well deserved!!

“Inno is a great participant overall. He was recognized with an award from Embassy Suites as employee of the month. Inno is doing great with his training and always has a great attitude. He is very motivated and has big goals that he wants to achieve while on his program.  He has even inquired to put in extra time learning in other departments in the hotel like F&B so he can learn even more about his field of study. He wants to learn as much as he can so he can a manager in his home country”

- Samantha, Intern/Trainee Coordinator

Name: Inno Jardine Ross B. Espende. Position: Front Desk Agent. Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Louisville. Fun Fact About You: This is a tough one. I would like to say I am funny, sometimes :) I like to make people laugh. I have a good (sound) of voice, but I can't sing nor dance. I have a thing for geography, I know the 50 states and in which part in the map they are located. Same as some countries in the world and a few provinces in the Philippines. I have big dreams, and I day dream a lot which fuels my motivation.

Why did you choose to come on a J1 I/T program? My girlfriend and her friend who were applying for the program encouraged me to visit the agency, and that's when I got interested again on this program. The J1 program was already being offered in our school when I was still in college, but I did not have the financial capability at that time. I think this is a really great opportunity to young Filipino participants like us, being immersed in a different culture and being away from our families as this expands our idea of culture, the world, and life.

What are your career plans once you return home? How are you hoping to apply the training you’ve learned? I am definitely hoping for a managerial position when I return home. As I already have supervisory experience in my previous job, I'm hoping that an international exposure on my resume would be an edge that would be considered. I will apply all the positive learnings that I am already gaining here in my property, by sharing different methods and new ideas in the front office operations. I will also for sure have stories to tell my families and friends back home. 

What differences have you found between the industry in the Phillippines and the USA? I always say things are a lot easier here in the U.S than in the Philippines. Work here in the hospitality industry is simpler and less formal. Work hard, but work smart too.

What has been the most memorable part of your program? The most memorable part of the program to me is seeing myself develop in to the person I want to be.  I can say I have more confidence in myself now. I can speak up and share my opinion and ideas whenever needed. I can defend my beliefs and stand my ground on what I believe in. I am outspoken and much more social now. The cultural experiences here in Louisville, like Thunder, Derby, March madness, people and friends are also something I will always remember.

What differences have you found between the industry in the Phillippines and the USA? I always say things are a lot easier here in the U.S than in the Philippines. Work here in the hospitality industry is simpler and less formal. Work hard, but work smart too.

What has been the most memorable part of your program? The most memorable part of the program to me is seeing myself develop in to the person I want to be.  I can say I have more confidence in myself now. I can speak up and share my opinion and ideas whenever needed. I can defend my beliefs and stand my ground on what I believe in. I am outspoken and much more social now. The cultural experiences here in Louisville, like Thunder, Derby, March madness, people and friends are also something I will always remember.