Corendon Hotel Visit Gives Students a Glimpse of Hospitality Careers

24.09.2026

Wittenborg Students Invited to Explore Hospitality Careers at Corendon

Students from Wittenborg recently stepped beyond the classroom and into the fast-paced world of international hospitality during a company visit to Corendon Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The visit offered students a behind-the-scenes look at hotel operations, career opportunities and the skills required to succeed in one of the world's most dynamic industries. Led by Corporate Recruiter Jeffrey Roger Otten, the tour introduced students to the company, its facilities and the internship opportunities available within the organisation.

Exploring hospitality in practice

Throughout the visit, students explored the hotel's extensive facilities, gaining a deeper understanding of how different teams and departments work together to deliver a seamless guest experience.

The tour included the hotel's Sky Bar, restaurants, meeting and event spaces and leisure facilities, offering students insight into the wide range of operations involved in running a large international hotel.

One of the highlights of the visit was the opportunity to explore the former KLM Boeing 747-400, which now stands in the hotel's grounds as a unique event venue. Students were able to step into the cockpit and take photographs while learning about the aircraft's transformation from passenger jet to hospitality attraction.

Looking beyond the internship

While the facilities impressed many students, the main focus of the day was employability.

Corendon regularly welcomes visitors from universities and other educational institutions, introducing students to the hospitality sector and the opportunities available within the organisation.

"We want students to see what our company can offer and learn more about the opportunities available in hospitality," said Otten. "The industry is dynamic and international, and many of our internships provide a strong foundation for future careers."

As part of the Marriott network, Corendon exposes students to international hospitality standards and business practices, while providing experience within a highly international working environment.

Otten further noted that many internships ultimately lead to long-term career opportunities.

"If you are applying, my advice to students is simple: be yourself. An internship or job should be a good fit for both the student and the employer. Give your best in whatever you do, and every path can lead to success."

Bridging the gap between study and career

The visit also highlighted the ongoing relationship between Corendon Hotels & Resorts and Wittenborg. Otten regularly participates in Wittenborg career events and job fairs and has recruited Wittenborg students for internships in the past.

Reflecting on the experience, Sophia Faraji, External Relations & Events Manager at Wittenborg, said: "Company visits such as this give students the opportunity to connect directly with industry professionals, gain insight into potential career paths and better understand the expectations of employers. One of our goals is to help students bridge the gap between their studies and future careers, and hearing directly from employers about internships and graduate opportunities makes that journey much more tangible."

The visit was particularly relevant for students interested in careers in hospitality, tourism and events. Wittenborg offers a range of bachelor's and master's programmes tailored to these sectors, including specialisations in Hospitality Management, Tourism Management and Event Management.

Learning beyond the classroom

For students, the visit provided the chance to connect academic knowledge with practical business experience.

Garima Dhingra, a student at Wittenborg's Apeldoorn Campus, described the experience as both insightful and inspiring.

"Visits like these are a great reminder that learning extends beyond the classroom. Every organisation offers an opportunity to understand how business works in practice."

Dhingra added that, despite studying Finance, she found it particularly interesting to see how business operations, customer experience and different departments work together within a large hospitality organisation.