dual study at the HOTELCAMP REINSEHLEN

Lara Schäfer, Dual Student

What inspired you to pursue a dual study program in Tourism Management?
Since I have loved traveling and discovering new countries and cultures since school, I found out through internet research that this program allows me to turn my passion into a career. The dual study program also offers me the chance to gain practical experience early on, which should make entering the profession easier.

Which topics at university do you find particularly interesting?
One of my recent courses was "Stakeholders in the Tourism Industry," which I found very exciting because I wasn’t aware of how many players there are in this market. It was especially interesting to learn about organizations that promote sustainable and fair tourism and find solutions to existing problems. Also, I always enjoy our English classes because I like using the language in everyday life.

What was the most curious or funniest moment you have experienced at work so far?
Since Hotelcamp Reinsehlen is located in the middle of nature, it’s inevitable to encounter all kinds of animals here. For example, rabbits have hidden several times in the tall grass on the terrace, creating quite a stir and delighting the guests. When I first witnessed this while working in the service department, I had to smile. That’s definitely not something you see every day at other workplaces.

What would a perfect workday look like for you?
Nothing is perfect, but what makes a workday especially nice for me is being warmly greeted right in the morning, meeting guests who walk around with a smile, or having a few words with my favorite colleagues.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter your field?
Definitely: Be open. Tourism is primarily about people, and sometimes they can seem complicated and make your life difficult. But if you approach every situation openly, try to understand people, and don’t take everything to heart, you can handle any situation and find joy in this profession.

Which tasks do you enjoy and which not so much?
Through my studies, I get to experience almost every department of the company, so I learn many different areas of work. And of course, there are tasks I like more than others. I particularly enjoy working in service — the direct contact with people and constant movement are great. On the other hand, I find housekeeping tasks physically very demanding and have great respect for everyone who works in that area.

How do you handle shift work?
Because I constantly switch departments, I’ve experienced many different working hours. In service, you sometimes work in the evening and even late into the night, but that never bothered me. I think every working time has its pros and cons. You just have to manage your free time well, no matter if you have early, mid, or late/night shifts. Especially when you are young and maybe live alone, irregular working hours are manageable.

What do you like to do most in your free time?
Besides work and studies, my dog takes up a lot of my time. We like going for walks together. Also, my family lives a bit further away, so I try to visit them at the Baltic Sea as often as I can.

How do you deal with stressful situations? Do you have strategies that help?
Communication: As an accommodation service provider or in this industry in general, it’s important to understand that the company is an organism and cannot be managed by just one person alone. So if there’s a problem, talk about it and get help — two heads are better than one. Stressful situations can usually be solved quickly that way, often they aren’t as stressful as they seem.

Thank you for the interview!