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Hospitality management requires clear communication to ensure customer needs are always met and employees can effectively collaborate with one another. If you hope to find success in the industry, you need experience communicating with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, as both the employees and clientele are bound to be diverse. One of the best ways to do this is with an international hospitality management internship.
An AIFS Abroad internship will expand your global perspective while building valuable skills that will impress employers and help you succeed in the hospitality industry. AIFS Abroad offers exceptional opportunities for internships in some of the world’s most exciting cities. Here are five top cities for hospitality management you won’t want to miss!
Want to lay the groundwork for a successful career in hospitality? Explore AIFS Abroad’s top 5 global cities for hospitality management internships!
1. Granada
Thanks to Granada’s booming tourist industry, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to break into hospitality management. Granada offers a range of hospitality management opportunities including boutique hotels, hostels, high-end restaurants, and wineries. Granada attracts people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, so despite its small size, its range of options are vast. The city’s size lends itself to close professional networks, providing valuable connections in a tightly knit community. Additionally, Granada’s blend of Moorish, Andalusian, and Spanish influences offers a unique opportunity to learn how different cultures shape hospitality experiences and customer expectations.
There’s a reason Granada’s tourism industry is so robust—it’s a beautiful city packed with things to do and see. When you’re not at your internship, you can set out to explore the city. Walk down cobblestone streets and enjoy the mosaic of pebbles under your feet, look up and see the Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture that stands throughout this city and let it call you back to a different time. Take a short bus ride out of the city and hike the Sierra Nevada mountains or swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Did we mention Tapas? You can’t forget Tapas.
2. Lisbon
As the capital city of Portugal and a world-renowned tourist destination, Lisbon is an incredible choice for aspiring hospitality management professionals. It’s an international city where you can build professional and personal relationships with people from all around the world. With an internship in Lisbon, you can gain experience serving clients and collaborating with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, helping you to build the versatile communication skills you need for a successful hospitality management career. In addition, you can find yourself immersed in diverse responsibilities including guest services, front desk operations, food and beverage services, and much more. Moreover, Lisbon offers unique experience supporting customers who’ve landed from cruise ships and are interested in seaside tourism, opening doors to niche opportunities related to maritime hospitality. Gain industry experience you can’t find anywhere else with a hospitality management internship in Lisbon!
But your experience in Lisbon isn’t limited to the workplace—you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy life and dive into the local culture. Sit outside at a local café and watch the city come alive—watch the yellow trams glide by, admire the sunlight dancing off the colorful azulejos, listen to passersby speak and enjoy the blend of languages—Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and more. Or head to the beach to lay out in the sun and see world-class surfers catch waves on Lisbon’s famous blue flag beaches, known for their clean waters and eco-friendly standards. Of course, there are also must-see sights like the Belém Tower, Castelo de S. Jorge, and the city’s countless museums as well. With an internship in Lisbon, you’ll discover there’s never a dull moment!
3. Milan
As Italy’s center for business, finance, and fashion, Milan offers a hospitality scene catered to wealthy businesspeople and those looking for sophisticated, quality customer experiences. Milan is a great option for gaining experience at a luxury or high-end hotel that is renowned for their meticulous attention to customers’ needs. With a hospitality internship in Italy’s luxury , you can intern in a competitive environment that will be sure to hone your hospitality management skills and impress employers. Gain valuable experience from some of the highest-esteemed hospitality professionals in the world with an internship in Milan!
There’s so much to do and see in Milan. Start out by visiting some of the most famous attractions like the stunning Duomo di Milano or go shopping at Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Of course, there’s so much world-famous art to see in Milan, and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is just the tip of the iceberg. Want to enjoy a day trip out of the city? Head to the picturesque Lake Como, capital which is less than 2 hours from Milan. Discover everything Milan has to offer—unique architecture, renowned art, and beautiful natural sites with a hospitality management internship abroad!
4. Dublin
Irish hospitality goes back to the Middle Ages—Early Irish Law, known as the Brehon Laws, mandated all households, including royalty, provide hospitality to travelers. Irish hospitality continues today, and they’re world-famous for welcoming guests with kindness and warmth. With an internship in Ireland’s capital, you place yourself in the center of Ireland’s business and hospitality environment. You’ll collaborate with seasoned hospitality professionals to meaningfully contribute to your employer’s operations. Gain direct exposure with responsibilities such as welcoming guests, providing top-notch customer service, assisting with reservations and bookings, and helping with other hospitality management responsibilities as they come up. As a metropolitan city and global business hub, you’ll be sure to serve diverse business and travel customers that come from every corner of the world, helping to bolster your multicultural communication and customer service skills. Plus, if you’re lucky, some of that Irish charm might rub off on you!
When you’re not serving customers, you’ll have plenty of time to cater to your own personal pursuits. Dublin is home to so much history and culture that’s just waiting for you to experience. Visit the National Museum of Ireland to watch Irish heritage and culture come alive in expertly crafted exhibits. Or enjoy one of AIFS Abroad’s excursions that are included in the program fee—past excursions have included a day tour of Belfast and a visit to the stunning Cliffs of Moher. At night you can bond with other international interns at the student residence or head out to enjoy the city’s famous nightlife!
5. Florence
Florence has been a world-renowned tourist destination for centuries—today, it’s a haven for hospitality and a great place to begin your career in the industry. This Italian gem, called the “Jewel of the Renaissance,” has a steady flow of tourists in all seasons, ensuring a year-round demand for skilled hospitality management professionals. In Florence, you’ll learn how the modern hospitality industry meets deep-rooted traditions at hotels, wineries, and restaurants that market their traditional Florentine heritage while also offering modern amenities. The city is synonymous with class, refinement, and unparalleled service, making it an ideal setting to master hospitality. Working alongside industry veterans, you can build exacting customer service skills in a position that demands excellence, adaptability, and attention to detail. With a hospitality management internship in this city, you can assure future employers you know how to make every guest experience nothing short of exceptional.
Florence is one of those rare cities where you can wander aimlessly and find delightful sights and smells around every corner. Beyond famous sites like the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi gallery where numerous world-renowned art pieces hang, there is so much to enjoy in this city. It’s a beacon of culture and art—as you walk these city streets you can practically hear Machiavelli’s verses echo from the sound of footsteps on cobblestone, look around and see the same sights that inspired Da Vinci, and enjoy the bustle of piazzas where people once whispered the Medici name. Intern abroad in Florence and put yourself in the center of history, luxury, and culture—we promise your future self will thank you!
Looking to impress employers with an international hospitality management internship? Connect with new cultures and develop your career simultaneously with AIFS Abroad!
An international hospitality management internship is an incredible way to gain hands-on experience while immersing yourself in diverse cultures across the globe. AIFS Abroad provides unparalleled opportunities for aspiring hospitality management professionals in some of the world’s most exciting cities. With inclusions such as housing, insurance, career readiness programming, excursions and activities, on-site staff, and emergency support, you’ll have a stress-free global education and professional development experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain hands-on hospitality management experience with an internship abroad!