Lodging Engineer Helping Hands of International Visitors By Manny Higazi


I would like to take the time out of our focused engineering articles and write about others that contribute to mak- ing things happen in our hotels. Recently our


hotel, the Crowne Plaza hotel, participated in what it is called work study program for international students. They come from all parts of the world to USA for the summer. This program helps to give them an inside scoop of working for a company in America. These students in this program accept job offers from many American company spon- sors, from McDonalds, retail stores, hotels and many more opportunities. They work and make a living like everyone else and also pay their rent with roommates nearby their work place.


I would like to speak about my property and our visitors. We had 7 Russian students. Their names were Zoya, Azniv, Tonya, Natalia, Asiyat, Ksenia and Andrey. The 6 girls worked in housekeeping and Andrey work in banquets. They have had studies on the English language and understood how to speak and write. Their contribution and timing of their arrival has helped the hotel move forward. Our occupancy at the time was high and the demand for their ser- vices has kept them busy. Their experience working here at our hotel has taught them a lot about hotel operations and respon-


sibilities. We tend to not give recognition on who has been contributing to the suc- cess of businesses. We should all keep in mind it is not just the American people that make it happen here in America. Our Rus- sian friends have played a big role. Three out of the six girls Zoya, Azniv, and Tonya, as well as Andrey, I got to know more be- cause they are good-natured, warm per- sons who asked so many questions. Many times they needed to define American English words when trying to explain their thoughts. In turn I managed to learn some


was from Volgograd. I myself can say I have learned a lot working with them be- cause they have re-educated me about what Russia is all about. My thoughts of Russia was something like a cold place with bad weather. Now I know that there are many different places in Russia that have different climates in different regions. Keep one thought in mind, if you get the opportunity to have these special visitors come to your property make them part of our family, they are here to learn, explore, and take part in wanting to know about our


“We should all keep in mind it is not just the American people that make it happen here in America.”


Russian as well. So now I know a lot more Russian words than balalaika, vodka and samovar.


Azniv and Zoya (Zoychi) are from Krasno- dar (Black Sea Coast). Their studies back at their home university Academy of Mar- keting and Social-Informational Technolo- gies was translator for English and Span- ish languages. Zoya also took up studies on Salsa dance classes with her club Sal- sa Pa-Ti with instructor Roman Kuleshin, to put a little mix in the Spanish language she studied. Tonya was from Moscow, her studies was on economics and Andrey


way of life as well as an education on busi- ness and work relations. Zoya made it a constant reminder to me that there are no polar bears in Krasnodar. Their program concluded at the end of summer and they have returned to their native land. We wish them good luck and who knows they might return to explore more opportunities here in America one day. Many businesses look forward to the next bunch next summer and are proud to be able to give this edu- cational opportunity to students who seek to learn and explore the American world in which we live in. n


PAGE 15 | Winter 2011 | Lodging Engineer


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