Initial Thoughts & Afterthoughts…
What are students thinking when they hear about our opportunities for the very first time? Are you all thinking the same? Are you the type of person that needs a little reassurance? If so, this short blog post may be of help to you!
The thought of moving to the USA for 6 – 12 Months can be a scary & daunting thought for anyone. Not because it is America, because it is a totally new culture, environment and way of life – it is doing something that is outside your comfort zone & let’s face it, change can be scary for us all! When Rasheeda set this Company up almost 10 years ago, she wanted to ensure that BSG Interns (formally Butler Search Group) was more than just a ‘name’. She wanted the company to have a face and ensure students coming through on the BSG programme felt “part of the family”. It was then she decided that she wanted to invest a tremendous amount of time & money, travelling Europe to physically meet & deliver her presentation about our opportunities directly to students at their individual Universities.
So here we are, 10 years on & we still continue to use the same business model. Why? Because after years of endless conversations with students, we have found that this is the exact business model that works, to ensure students engage, learn & most importantly, trust when opting to join BSG Interns programme.
In case you are one of those students who still isn’t sure whether the USA is for you, we have put together some points of information that have been previously sent across to us by past, present & future students. These short messages have been from both students directly after a presentation & throughout/after their internships – this may well help in your final decision…
“Thank you so much for giving such an amazing presentation at Leeds Beckett University on the BSG Programme, it honestly helped and inspired me to push myself further when looking at options for my placement year, and believe America would be a great opportunity “ – Leeds Beckett University Student
“Everything is going well since being home. I don’t think these Florida Blues will ever leave though. It really was an incredible experience. Forever thankful for your support and help in getting us all there – you do a wonderful job” – City of Glasgow Student
“Thank you for coming to Leeds Beckett today to talk about BSG, I would never have previously considered working in America before your talk today” – Leeds Beckett University Student
“I’ve just got in!! Just want to thank you so much for this opportunity and you’ve changed my life forever” – Grimsby College Student
“I will be sure to send in an application over the next few days or so, as I am very keen take this once in a lifetime opportunity” – Leeds Beckett University Student
“Your presentation really opened my eyes again to how much of a unique experience it would be, and I’d be kicking myself if I missed out. I feel like it is the right choice for me” – Ulster University Student
“Your talk today just seemed amazing and it has changed my mindset completely I am very eager and motivated to expand my restaurant skills as I dream on being a part of Country Clubs and I believe it’s the placement suited for me” – Ulster University Student
“I am writing to thank you very much for the time you took to present to us at Strathclyde University today. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation & feel very excited about the possibility of this internship” – Strathclyde University Student
“Firstly, thank you so much for today’s presentation on BSG. It was so interesting and exciting to know that the opportunities which BSG offer may be of benefit to me.” – IT Sligo Student
AFTERTHOUGHTS – Of course it would be easy for us to tell you about what student’s initially think after they hear our presentation, but what do students think, feel or learn when they are about to close the final chapter in their BSG adventure? Have you any unanswered questions – Will it be everything we said it would be? Is it too good to be true? Am I making the right decision? Well we thought it would be good for you to hear it for yourself. Here is some of the feedback that we have received through the years that will hopefully clarify any unanswered queries you have. YOU DECIDE!
“I hope you will keep changing people’s lives like you did mine”– Katerina Pilcova
“Firstly I like to say thank you very much for bringing me out here. I have met the most amazing people out here and have become life long friends with. For anyone thinking of doing an experience like this, they certainly won’t regret it, I didn’t realize how much I would learn not only about the hospitality industry but learning so many things about the American culture”– Felicity Massy Birch
“My placement in America did not only exceed my expectations but opened up the door of global opportunity to me. On the professional side of things this year has helped structure me towards what I wish to achieve in life and the personal growth and maturity levels dramatically increased! Frank and Rasheeda are two of the most caring and generous people I met on my experience. They will help you with any issues and queries 🙂 one final point I will make is what my mum and dad said to me when I was deciding about America is “jump at the opportunity” best of luck to you on your placement experience”– Danny McGee
“I went to America through BSG not knowing what to expect, nervous and hesitant. Now I’m home after finishing my year I can look back and see how amazing of an opportunity it was for me to go, I grew as a person more than anything. I experienced new and exciting things, but most of all the year abroad I spent with BSG fuelled my ambition for the future. My future goals are now bigger and better than ever and I feel like they are more achievable because of my experiences abroad. Frank and Rasheeda were always there in my times of need, and I have met some life long friends from all corners of the globe thanks to this program and I wouldn’t take it back for anything”– Sam Gibbon
“Every time someone asks me how my time was in America, the one word that comes to mind is- amazing!!!!!! I was so nervous and I didn’t think I would even get on the plane, but I am so so happy that I did! You will learn so much about the business and about yourself! I met friends for life and I got to travel around America! I would recommend anyone to go”– Nicole McKnight
“I just thought I’d let you know how it’s going so far at St Andrews. I can honestly say I am having the absolute time of my life out here and I can only thank you enough for allowing me to come out here with BSG. I love everything about America, St Andrews, our apartments, the people, Boca… The list goes on. This sounds daft but I actually really enjoy going to work each day?! (Even the double shifts) I don’t even see it as work… It’s proved to me that this is the industry for me as I would genuinely do what I do at St Andrews for free (don’t need to let them know that though haha) so getting paid for this is just an added bonus! Also the amount of things I’ve learnt so far is
unreal – they’ve taught us SO much in such a short space of time. The attention to detail in fine dining is unreal here at St Andrews and I already know when I go back to the UK I’ll be ahead of the game as the service standards in America is heaps better than back home. I could go on forever but I just wanted to say thank you for this whole experience. It’s one of a lifetime and I will cherish it for ever.” – Harriett Gibbons
“When BSG came to my college to speak to us about the work placement, I thought it was a dream. Coming from such a small town I never thought anything like this would be in my reach.
But BSG helped me and guided me, and before I knew it I was living in America working at a platinum star country club! I am so thankful and appreciative of everything BSG has done for me. This has been by far the best and most rewarding experience of my life”– Emily Asher
“I can tell them that from my own personal experience, coming out to work in America was the best decision I ever made. I cannot begin to recommend coming out to America enough it is an incredible opportunity that you will benefit from for the rest of your lives no matter what job role or position you work in and the experience from working out here will stand by you forever”– Kimberley Hammonds
“I’ve met some amazing people over the year and have made friendships for life. My year in America has benefitted me professionally and personally. I am proud to have 2 country clubs on my résumé and as a person I have grown in confidence. Thank you again for this unforgettable opportunity and I would love to share my experiences at your presentation in Bournemouth”– Lucy Palette
“For all of you who are thinking of coming to America or who have already been accepted to do placement here I cannot recommend it enough! The lifestyle is great work hard and have fun on your days off! It has been great so far experiencing a new culture and meeting people from all around the world! I can honestly say that already I have met lifelong friends and it is great to spend the time here working and socializing with them. At the start I was worried about missing home and my family and friends but once you get here and settle in you realize that everyone is one big family inside and out of work. All in all, it is an amazing opportunity to come here to live and learn in a new environment and it is a great challenge, I would not change it for one minute.This has been an amazing experience for me so far, from travelling alone for the first time across the world, to working in a fantastic and beautiful environment like Broken Sound Country Club. I have learnt so much, both about the work and about myself and have seen it as an incredible journey. Although there is a lot of work involved in working in Country Clubs I highly recommend it as it is a once in a life time opportunity”– Lisa Calderwood
“Anybody hesitating this experience is crazy. Getting away from England for this long period has been the best thing for me and I have now booked to go to Thailand. I just want to travel travel travel. I can’t thank you enough for all your help and taking care of me at harder times!
To finish I actually cannot quite believe how quick my time in America has gone, this has been the best year of my life without a doubt and I will recommend it to anybody! Thank you for everything” – Steff Kidd
“I am so glad I came to America it’s been a once in a life time opportunity. An opportunity to gain an insight in to the American culture & lifestyle especially in the hospitality industry. I’ve met a great bunch of people who no doubt will be friends for life. In the past 3 months I’ve had the opportunity to visit many places such as Miami & Orlando & I’m sure the next 8 months will bring many more. Not only will the 12 months experience look great on my CV but I’m gaining knowledge, earning money & spending every day in the sun”– Adam
“If you have a chance to spend a year in Florida definitely do it and Rasheeda does a wonderful job of keeping you in check with your visa process making sure everything goes to plan and always checks in on you every now and again in Florida to see how you are getting on which is great”– Michael Owens
“Rasheeda, I’d just like to thank you so much for this amazing opportunity you gave me, and I can really see just how much this year has really changed me (for the better), and it’s been one if not THE best thing I’ve ever done.” – Mike
“I can safely say that making the decision to come to sunny Florida is the best decision I have made and should be an easy decision for you! I came out here with very little experience so don’t let that stop you, the hours you work are long it’s not all sun and fun but the lifestyle you get to enjoy and experience you gain is priceless. Don’t be afraid to come out here by yourself I did, and it was daunting but now have made myself life-long friends. I hope this encourages you to do come out here as I can’t recommend it enough!”– Jamie Fee
“First of all, I would like to say thank you for the wonderful experience you introduced me to, I had a brilliant time in Florida, meeting lots of new people, gaining experience in a Country Club and lots of various other things, that I might not have had the chance to do if I had not met you. Well, I thought that going to America would be a brilliant experience (and I was right), one of those things, that if you don’t take the chance, then you might regret it later on in life. Also thought it would be a great way to see how a different culture’s hospitality varies from ours, and how the businesses function over there. I do think that I have grown as a person, gotten more confident in myself and what I do. I learnt various new things about the Hospitality industry and Country Clubs and learnt more about pastry in my time at the country club. Gained more experience too.” – Gemma Armstrong
“I keep reminiscing about my time in Greenwich, that was one of the best times of my life and such a treat to work there with such fantastic people-and i have you to thank for the experience”– Kathryn Glasgow
“This program was really helpful for me, every day I am learning new things from the Managers. I did have theoretical knowledge before I came here, but after I joined Pine Tree Club, I also got the greatest opportunity to learn about the golf business and Management, while gaining loads of practical experience. Pine Tree management staff has taught me how to use my theoretical knowledge and past experience in practical work, and also how to manage members and work well within a team. I have had the chance to meet many new people from different countries and make new friends who are going to remain friends for life. It is a great life time experience for me and for my future career. Thanks again for giving me a great opportunity. Butler Search Group Rock – I do love Hospitality”– Nayim Galeb
“This experience has meant the world to me and has opened up so many doors to help me in the future. I have already decided to come back to Florida as I have been offered a job for when I finish my degree which is a lot more than I could have hoped for. The opportunities within the hospitality industry in the USA are fantastic, I definitely recommend coming over even if you are not sure, because the way of life, the quality of the work and experience is great. This has made a huge impact on my life and made me truly realize what i can get out of this experience and has pointed me in the right direction to reach my aspirations and goals. if you like hospitality or that’s where your interests lie i certainly recommend just trying this experience because Florida is an amazing place and you need to just take the leap and come work here for a year and it will change your life”– Lewis Rainey
“I personally can say that having an internship in U.S. does make a big impact in my life. For me, I am a person that likes to travel and explore a lot. One of my American friends told me this ” YOU NEVER KNOW, UNTIL YOU GO”. Life is a short journey, live your life without any regrets. No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying”– George Tan
“I would like to thank you for all you have done for all of us and hope that some of the students you show this too trust you and take the chances you can offer like I have because I will always be extremely grateful and would recommend this to everybody without even a seconds hesitation”– Jack Bowen
“I have had the most incredible experience here in America and I want to thank you greatly for making this journey possible!!! It is hard to find the words to both express how incredible this year has been and how thankful I am to you. To say this year has changed my life would not be an exaggeration in the slightest! I am sure this is not the end of my American adventure, I already have plans to spend thanksgiving in New York, so we shall see what the future holds!”– Ellis Golden
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you both for the year I have had. It is with a heavy heart I leave after a truly exceptional and life affirming experience.” – Sebastian Bunford-Jones