Experiencing luxury hospitality as a guest made Iulia Baksha keen to see the business from the ‘other side’. An internship with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts has delivered this Master’s student’s desire…

“I’ve always been a guest, never really thinking about what goes on behind the scenes in hotels, restaurants and luxury retail. But, after being constantly amazed by the great service I received, I got curious, and I wanted to learn the ins and outs of hospitality – the ‘tricks of the trade’ that make everything run smoothly.”
– Iulia Baksha

As young talents like Iulia have discovered, an excellent way to fulfill this ambition is to join our Master’s in Luxury Management and Guest Experience, which has proven a popular choice since we launched it back in 2019.

Having already completed her two academic semesters in Switzerland, Iulia is now in the luxury hospitality powerhouse of Dubai. She’s working as a Human Resources intern at Marsa Al Arab – an architecturally stunning (see main image) new hotel currently in pre-opening phase, which belongs to the Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts family.

Why Dubai, and why the Jumeirah Group? “I am eager to learn from a company that is a recognized leader in the luxury hospitality industry,” Iulia explains. “The emphasis Jumeirah puts on personalized service and attention to detail aligns with my own values and aspirations in luxury management. Also, I was impressed by the way Jumeirah demonstrates a strong commitment to valuing their employees and treating them with respect and fairness. Last but not least, being part of a pre-opening team, where we’re building a new team and culture at a brand new luxury property, is a very valuable experience.

“As for coming to Dubai, this is a true luxury hub, with a great ecosystem and huge connectivity. It’s also a genuinely multicultural environment, just like Glion! Honestly, I believe the Middle East is the leader today when it comes to luxury and more personalized hospitality.”

Landing the talent

Iulia’s internship role is focused on recruitment and onboarding – crucial tasks when staffing up a pre-opening hotel.

“I started in the onboarding section, and this means dealing with visa applications, arranging flights, accommodation, transportation, employment contracts, opening bank accounts – all those administrative elements needed to bring an employee into the hotel.

“Having experienced the onboarding side, I’m now working within the recruitment section. I help to screen candidates who apply through our careers portal, plus I get involved with interviews, dealing with recruitment agencies, etc. Alongside this, I also keep existing colleagues’ records up to date in our HR management systems.”

Iulia is already confident in her grasp of fundamental HR operations, plus she says her interpersonal and negotiating skills have taken a significant step upwards. “Moreover, I’d say this internship has significantly bolstered my ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines, honing my time management skills and cultivating a resilience that I feel is vital for success in this field.”

An offer on the table!

What next for Iulia once her internship is complete? She already has the answer, in the form of a job offer which will not only keep her in Dubai but also keep her feet firmly planted in the world of human resources.

“I have a clear goal within the luxury hospitality industry and I am dedicated to pursuing it, overcoming any challenges that may arise,” she concludes. “This internship has provided me with the skills that are essential for my long-term professional goals. Staying in Dubai also makes sense, because there is such a strong and active Glion Alumni community here, which provides new networking opportunities as well as job openings.”

Good luck with your future career in luxury hospitality, Iulia!