Leanne Peak – Hospitality in Australia

Before the trip

What are you studying?

Currently Studying International Tourism Management at Leeds Beckett University.

Why did you choose to do a Hospitality placement in Australia as part of your degree?

I chose to do a placement as part of my degree because I knew that it would give me some valuable industry experience that would boost my skills and knowledge about the industry that I want to work in postgraduate. I chose my course because of the opportunity to do a placement year as not all courses offer that.

How did you first discover us?

My university has had students do placements through you before but I discovered you through your website.

Were you finding it hard to find a placement?

Yes, I had applied and just didn’t know who to look for or what was trustworthy.

Did you think this was unachievable on your own?

I had already completed a 5-month placement in the USA so needed at least 6 more months worth of placement hours to complete my placement year. By the time I got home from the USA, time to find another placement was tight so it was hard finding one quickly enough but thanks to Placement Year International everything got arranged very quickly.

Why did you choose Placement Year International over other services?

What drew me to choose Placement Year International was that their website is very easy to navigate and explains the placement options very clearly, including where and the role. I also liked the range of different countries that they offer placements in, and compared to what I paid for my USA placement, the prices are a lot more affordable.

How easy was the process from interview to getting to your placement with our help?

The process of getting to my placement was quick and easy with your help, everything was done very quickly as the time restraints were to everyone’s knowledge. Once I landed in Australia, I was picked up as promised and everything was smooth getting to my accommodation.

Leanne Peak – Hospitality placement in Australia – Placement Year International

On placement

What are you doing for your placement?

I am doing a Hospitality placement in Australia where I am working in the restaurant and bar. I have restaurant experience but the bar experience is new to me.

I am also getting opportunities to do some work behind the front desk doing reception work as well as shadowing the Accommodation Manager.

What is your role?

As a hospitality intern, my role in the restaurant/bar is to deliver exceptional food and beverage service, which includes taking food and drink orders as well as serving food to customers, rotating tables in the restaurant, answering phone calls to make bookings or answer enquiries, all while maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene and ensuring compliance with Responsible Service of Alcohol.

My role when I am behind the front desk is to assist guests with check-in, check-out, and room bookings and cancellations to enhance their overall experience.

What skills or knowledge have you gained so far during your placement?

During my time here, I have enhanced my skills and knowledge in communication, customer service, food safety, decision making, hospitality service, organisational skills, Point-of-Sale systems, problem solving, service quality, teamwork, time management, waiting tables, and receptionist duties. I have also gained new skills such as bartending.

Did you find it difficult adapting to a new working environment?

At first, like any new job it was daunting to work with new people and have to get to know them and how they work, especially when everyone else already knows each other. In terms of the work environment, I have worked hospitality jobs before so am used to the type of work that is required which made things a lot easier as well as everyone being so kind and welcoming.

Leanne Peak – Hospitality placement in Australia – the view from her placement! – Placement Year International

Have you received good support & advice from your work colleagues at the host company?

Since arriving in Australia, everyone I work with have been very supportive and friendly, happy to offer any help needed. I know that I have people to talk to about anything if I were to need it which is very comforting with being so far away from home.

How has your placement helped you develop as a person so far?

My confidence in my abilities has definitely grown and I also think that my ability to ask for help if I need it has improved as I have always been cautious with asking for help from too many people.

Since joining Placement Year International, what have we done well?

Placement Year International have been great and very supportive from the beginning; no question me or my parents could ask was too much or they were unable to answer, and response times to emails and enquiries never take a long time, even with the time difference as they have a team at the destinations they offer placements in.

At this time, I haven’t had a bad experience with Placement Year International so can’t think of anything that I think could be improved.

If you were to recommend us to friends, what would you say?

Although my university have connections already with Placement Year International, I would definitely highly recommend using them to people outside of my university as well as students who are looking into doing a placement year from my university as I think there is something for everyone, no matter what course you’re studying.

Leanne Peak – Hospitality placement in Australia – Placement Year International

Leanne Peak – Hospitality placement in Australia – Placement Year International

Leanne Peak – learning how to make cocktails on a Hospitality placement in Australia – Placement Year International

Find out more about our Hospitality placements in Australia.

More info: Click here to read more about Hospitality placements in Australia, or click here to send us a question or email us at: info@placement-year.org for more information.