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One year in China, countless lessons learned

Updated : 2025-09-25
By Eliot Hoff (en.wuxi.gov.cn)

Location: Wuxi, China

Hotel: Intercontinental Wuxi Taihu New City

Skills: Hospitality service | Event coordination | Cross-cultural communication | Luxury standards

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Eliot Hoff poses for a photo with his colleagues in Wuxi. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

What is it like to be a Management Trainee in a luxury hotel in China? In a word: transformative.

After a semester of university exchange, I had the chance to extend my stay in China by joining the Intercontinental Wuxi Taihu New City as a Management Trainee. This experience has been deeply meaningful on both a personal and professional level.

I returned to France with lasting friendships, real-world experience, and a B1 level in Mandarin, developed through daily interaction and practice.

On the professional side, I completed a full rotation through the hotel's key departments: front desk, concierge, F&B (restaurant & bar), housekeeping, and marketing. I was trained to meet the high standards of luxury hospitality — including:

Aesthetics: Neat presentation, impeccable uniform

Attitude: Positivity, service mindset, professional conduct

Operations: Table setting, coffee service, club lounge procedures, housekeeping protocols

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Eliot Hoff poses for a photo with his colleagues in Wuxi. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

I also contributed to the planning and execution of major summits, events, and high-level meetings, hosting several hundred guests — ensuring smooth coordination and top-tier service.

My role extended far beyond day-to-day service. I actively supported cross-departmental functions in communication, guest relations, and internal coordination. As a Management Trainee, I made it a point to stay visible, adaptable, and engaged across all departments, learning from each team and preparing for a future leadership role in the global hospitality industry.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this experience so special — especially my Chinese colleagues and friends who helped me grow every day.

I highly recommend this internship to anyone seeking a meaningful professional and cultural adventure. The hotel is currently looking for new trainees — feel free to reach out if you're interested!

The author is a French student at NEOMA Business School in Reims, France.

If you would like to share your Wuxi stories, then send us your writings at wuxiexpatstories@outlook.com.

     
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