In my last year of my international tourism bachelor degree at the university of Cergy Pontoise, I needed in order to graduate do a compulsory internship abroad. I directly thought of Asia as I’ve always been attracted by its culture and landscapes. At first I didn’t know much about Malaysia but when I fell upon Amazing Borneo as one of the leader tour operator of the country I wanted to know more about it. The fact that they put a lot of importance on the quality of the tours all while trying to be the sustainable really appealed me. I applied and after an interview I got the internship.
My ‘Amazing’ Tasks:
As an intern for both Marketing and Sales, I got the chance to discover a variety of tasks throughout my internship.
I started my journey in the Marketing Department.
Marketing Team all complete
On my first day, I tasked to manage Instagram and Facebook accounts of two of their main attractions, Mount Kinabalu and North Borneo Cruises.
My role was to update the accounts with content, find the right captions, be active, and obviously interact with the other users in the comments section and Instagram Direct Messaging.
After a period of time, I was entrusted to do daily tweets on Amazing Borneo’s Twitter feed and oversee the user activities in a Facebook group called “Mount Kinabalu Live”.
With handling these social media accounts, I got the chance to learn and try out different Marketing strategies to see which ones were more effective and brought results.
Being a part of the Marketing team, I was given full creative freedom to express my ideas and vision through photo and video editing for the accounts, and also many opportunities to author a variety of articles on “Travelogue”, Amazing Borneo’s blog section on their website.
My colleagues not only gave me tips that greatly improved my writing skills, but they also taught me how to edit videos. This is something I’ve always been interested to try, and I found myself having a lot of fun doing it together with my other tasks!
First vlog about North Borneo Cruises in the make
I gained knowledge about cameras and their settings to take the best possible photos and videos in different .
Putting my camera skills in action
I entered the Sales team a month after I first started my internship, but I continued doing all my Marketing tasks.
One of the Sales tasks I was tasked to do was some Data analysis on last year’s invoices, selecting the five principal markets, and identifying the packages they bought. This has proven to be very beneficial because thanks to all the information compiled, they’ll now be able to determine new strategies to better target the different markets, and has helped me in coming up with new Marketing strategies with regards to my social media postings
Participate in different events
During my time here, I got the chance to participate in a few events and see another side of being part of the Amazing Borneo team, or the “Amazing Team” as they like to call themselves. A very fitting name!
- I helped in planning and organising their first Open Day event, which turned out to be a success!
The Amazing Open Day 2018
- Took pictures during one of the several team building activities the company offers. As the organisers change with each team building enquiry, different cycles of employees get a chance to participate at least once if they want to. This gave me the chance to meet and bond with employees outside of the Marketing and Sales Departments.
Team building activity
- I joined two interesting trainings, one about social media and a DISC training about knowing how to better work with your colleagues according to their personality type as well as discover more about your own.
Listening and trust exercise during our DISC training
Big thumbs up!
What I really appreciated about my internship is that I didn’t get the impression of being an intern. I was entrusted tasks with responsibilities and considered as just as any other employee. New suggestions and ideas were always welcomed, and my opinions were taken into account during meetings.
I had never experienced this at any of my previous internships and I really appreciated it as it gave me the impression that my work was close to what they expected from me and of their standards
Discovering new places!
The perks of working for a tour operator is that you are supposed to know your destination well enough before selling it to a customer or writing about it in an article.
Sabah was completely unknown to me. I felt lucky that I could join a few tours and write about my experience in articles, take content pictures or even vlog!
I will leave Sabah (for now) with unforgettable memories about:
- A cycling tour through Borneo’s unique landscapes and little villages
Showing off my sportive side
- My first diving experience followed by a PADI Open Water course (I’m now PADI-certified!)
Finally discovered the underwater world, and it’s AMAZING!
- Beautiful sunsets onboard of North Borneo Cruises
Won’t forget the indescribable Sabahan sunsets
- Proboscis monkeys and fireflies during Klias river cruise
I see you!
- The paradise islands and colourful fishes during a snorkeling tour
Lunch at Mamutik island during our snorkeling trip
- The well worth it trek to the top of Mount Kinabalu resulting in unforgettable views at the summit
Don’t need to present Mount Kinabalu anymore
- One week working out of the office, collecting footage, travelling from place to place, and from homestay to homestay.
We woke up at sunrise every day, went to the best places for the sunset and stars. It was exhausting but it’s the best way to discover new places, participate in local activities, and fully immerse in Sabah’s vibrant culture!
With one of the homestay owners in Kota Belud
Interviewing a homestay owner during our content trip
Working environment:
The minute I entered the Marketing department and later Sales, I immediately felt integrated into their teams. My colleagues were super friendly, funny, warm-hearted, and perfect to work with.
I admit being impressed by how serious they are about their work making the perfect balance between time to play/relax and time to work (for instance after Open Day).
After work they would often bring me from place to place to discover true Sabahan lifestyle and food, how sweet is that?
About the office, it’s the coolest and most modern one I’ve seen so far!
- A gym is at your disposal to eliminate all the Malaysian delights you will eat.
- A kitchen is there for you to eat and stock some good food that will make you get through the day and have a coffee break.
- Use the amazing shared space with a full entertainment set and pool table to relax, have fun and connect with your colleagues
- A karaoke set is even available for you to sing your stress and worries away!
- You can use the idea room to isolate yourself a little, rest your mind, and why not get some new ideas?
5 stars’ internship!
If could rank my internship, it would definitely get 5 stars!
When I look back at it now I can only be grateful of my time here! I’ve learned so much and have been given the opportunity to see so many places all while meeting fantastic people!
I have just one last thing to say, Terima Kasih! :D
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