Emmanuelle Santos: WORK EXPERIENCE

I became a Guest Room Attendant in Xanterra South Rim LLC. What is a guest room attendant? A guest room attendant or housekeeper is the one in charge to clean guest accommodations according to established standards. As a GRA, I control all the keys, master and guest room keys and maintain security of guest rooms, both vacant and occupied. Strictly follow correct room discrepancies and report any maintenance. Practice Risk Management procedures, including morning stretches, to ensure a safe working environment.

Working at Grand Canyon National Park can be an excellent exchange experience for me. I have the chance to explore a natural wonder of the world, to make friends from all regions of the United States and other countries, and to gain unique and special experiences that I will remember forever.

Living in an isolated community far away from shopping malls, theatres, and other conveniences I have used to taught me so much lesson that it is not easy but if you try and you fight you will succeed. Grand Canyon is very dry and sunny with an altitude of 2,400 meters (7000 feet). It was a high desert sometimes sunny but with a great experience when the winter season came. All of Grand Canyon was filled with white snows embedded in every rock and everyplace of the canyon.

First Place, Inc. is a Philippine-based career and education counselling organization, which helps students and young professionals attend training and internships, cultural exchanges, travels and studies in the United States, Europe, Australia and other countries. Since 1999, FPI has been serving hundreds of students and young professionals gain valuable experience in self-reliance and independence while experiencing other cultures and gaining new friends and business contacts through its various overseas programs.

First Place Inc. is the agency that helps me fulfill my dream to go abroad. They call it the Work and Travel Program, in which the students are given the opportunity to experience work in America but also to travel around it.

WHAT HAPPENED TO GC?

For three months, from March 15, 2011 until June 20, 2011, I worked at Xanterra South Rim LLC. It was a fun and exciting experience for me. At first I think that it was very nerve bracking because for the first time I was away from my parents. But, what I thought was wrong, even if I was far from my family, I have established a relationship with my co-workers and new friends found in the Canyon that I can consider my family during my stay there. There different lodges and hotels inside the canyon, I belong to the BRIGHT ANGEL LODGE family.

There are different nationalities; there are Thai’s, Americans, and Native Americans, Polish, Slovakian, Macedonian, Nigerians and many other nationalities. I thought dealing with these people from other nationalities would be difficult, but what I thought was wrong. They are very friendly and helpful to me.

Working abroad would be miserable if you make it yourself difficult but if you enjoy, its worth it! At first I was a Guest Room Attendant but after 1 month I was promoted to be an Inspector. The benefit of being a inspector, my wage increases from $7.65 to $8.00. The best part of working is when you received your pay check. All the sweats and the body pain will be gone if you already in cash your pay check. You will learn how to budget your money and save for the time when you will go home.

During my stay in Grand Canyon and all the hard works that I did my Bright Angel Family had received awards like Best Lodge in Attendance and me, I was recognized for a Job well done for giving an extra effort in the work during the Environmental Accreditation for our Lodge. Once my name was posted at the Pinyon Pine the official newspaper in Grand Canyon. I was very thankful with these recognition because I am one of the two Filipino employees who are recognized by our managers.