Each month we are highlighting one participant as our Most Valuable Participant. We selected German as our January MVP because of his achievements at work: “I've been doing amazing at my job! last month I won second place in name recognition and my boss gave me a portofino cup as a price for my hard work. Also, I collected a lot of Star Cards for my hard word at the front desk.” Continue below to learn more about German and his Exchange Visitor Program.

Name: German Eneas Verbeke Gallardo

Home Country: Argentina

Internship Field: Front Desk

Employer: Loews Hotels - Portofino Bay in Orlando, Florida

Fun Fact About You: My favorite movie is Jurassic Park, and I’m a Slytherin.

You did two work and travel programs with Loews. How is your internship different from your work and travel experience?

There’s a huge difference in the way that on the Internship program I got to learn in depth about the hospitality industry, especially the front desk position. Because the internship program lasts longer than the work and travel, I can definitely say that they prepared me for this amazing new experience.

What are the most valuable things you have learned while on the internship program?

I got to truly understand the guest and what they can expect for their vacation. During the first months of my experience I got the chance to create memorable moments for the guest that will last forever in their lifetime. By the end of the day, I got a personal satisfaction that the first positive image they get from the hotel is at the moment of checking in with myself.

How do you think an American internship will benefit you in your future career?

I am learning a lot of new skills and abilities from the American hospitality industry that I want to implement when I get back to Argentina, in their developing hospitality industry. Share that knowledge with my future workplace in order to succeed in the industry and be competitive with other tourist destinations around the world.

What are your top three recommendations for places to visit/things to do in Orlando?

Definitely Disney and Universal for sure, the Orlando Premium Outlets for some shopping and Cocoa Beach for an amazing day at the beach.

Why do you think cultural exchange programs are important?

They are important because of everything we can learn from each other. We can exchange our cultures to create a better, diverse world, to improve our work experience at such unique locations, and to make everlasting international friends.

 What is your career goal / dream job that you are working towards?

Last week my boss told me that my dream job might not be invented yet. I do know that I have started walking the path that might lead to it. My goal is to be able to combine my two passions that are filmmaking and hospitality management. My career goal would be to have a management position at a luxury hotel in Argentina or maybe the US, and in my free time be the producer of new movies or short films to tell the stories that needed to be told. I know there is a bright future ahead, and I am ready for it.