English Students’ Perceptions towards Internship in Hotel Industry: A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

Internship program plays a vital role in exposing students to real activities. During an internship program, a study program needs to develop the 'link and match' between curriculum and industries. Hotel industry absorbs a great number of English department graduates; however, data showed a quite significant decrease in the number of students conducting internship program in hotel industries. Through a qualitative inquiry, this study examined students' perceptions on their internship program at hotel industries. Using purposeful sampling, twenty-three sixth-semester students who had conducted their internships in hotel industries were selected as the participants. An online, structured, closed-ended questionnaire was distributed, followed by a semi structured interview with six out of the twenty-three participants. Data were analysed thematically. The findings of this study are expected to minimize the gap between education and the workplace and improve the implementation of internship program, particularly, in English study program.

Skill Development Journey through Hospitality: An In-Depth Study of Trainee Experiences in Malaysia

“…In the field of education, internships act as a link between academic learning and practical application, providing students with insights into industry practices and workplace dynamics. Through structured internship programs, students can develop essential competencies, refine their professional identities, and cultivate valuable skills necessary for their future careers (Indrastana et al, 2023). Additionally, internships contribute to students' career development by offering handson learning opportunities and industry exposure, shaping their career paths (Jain et al, 2023).…”