Hi! My name is Valentina Vergara, and im a junior at Florida International University studying Hospitality Management. I’m originally from Peru, but I currently live in Miami. I’ve always been drawn to experiences that bring people together, whether that’s through an event or a service. What excites me the most about the hospitality industry is the power it has when creating a memory for groups or individuals, especially when they feel understood and valued.
When I heard about the study abroad London program, I knew I wanted immediately knew I wanted to be part of it, not only because its one of the world’s top destinations for tourism and hospitality, but also because London is a city that seemed so different to Miami in a good way, and I wanted to experience it and expand my cultural knowledge. London is known for having such a rich history, a global influence, and a mix of traditional and modern service approaches, and I want to learn all of it.
As I prepare for this experience, I’m very curious to learn about the hospitality and service culture in the UK. I’ve heard that British service can be more formal and reserved compared to the casual style I’m used to in Miami or Peru. There’s a stereotype that I’ve heard about, that says people in London are polite but distant so I’m looking forward to seeing whether that is true and how it’s shown in hospitality settings. I’m also very interested in learning how the diversity London has is reflected in its service. Do businesses adapt to different guest backgrounds? How do they make everyone feel welcome?
I feel that this program will inspire my personal brand as a person and will help me bring it to life, being friendly, professional, open-minded, and curious. I value authenticity and kindness, and I believe those qualities help build meaningful connections with every person, like guests, team members, mentors, and classmates. I plan to reflect my personal brand through the way I participate in the trip, by asking questions, sharing my experiences, and paying attention to every visit. Whether I’m writing about my experience, creating short videos, or just interacting with people we meet, I want to be transparent in how I represent myself.
I also have a few personal goals for this trip. Firstly, I want to understand well how hospitality works in a different big city like London and learn from different service styles and approaches. Secondly, I want to step out of my comfort zone by trying new things, meeting new people, and maybe even discovering a new passion in the industry. And thirdly, I hope this trip gives me more clarity about the kind of hospitality professional I want to become and how I want to apport to the industry. I’m excited to be inspired by what I see and to bring that inspiration back with me, both for school and for my future career.
I can’t wait to explore London and see where this journey takes me both personally and professionally.