Following his departure, Kaibin Qiu, who was a culinary intern at Caribou Highlands Lodge, reflects on his positive U.S. internship experience with Greenheart! Read on to find out what he said!
Time has gone by incredibly fast, and it’s still hard for me to believe that I have already completed my internship. I wanted to take some time to share with my personal experience and what this past year has meant to me.
The Diverse Team Accentuated the Cultural Exchange
Our team came from many different places and backgrounds, which made this experience much more interesting and meaningful. We worked together, spent our days off together, cooked and ate together, and shared so much of our daily lives. Because of that, we really got to know one another. We learned how to understand each other’s personalities, cultures, habits, and differences, and I believe that made us more accepting of one another and brought our team much closer together.
Having a Supportive Training Supervisor
One of the most important people throughout my experience was our manager, Jake. I am extremely grateful for everything he has done for me and for our team. His management style has always had a good balance between being relaxed and knowing when to be serious. He didn’t just treat us like employees—he genuinely cared about us as people.
Jake created an environment where I felt warmth and a sense of belonging. To me, he became much more than just a manager; he became someone I consider family. Whenever we needed help, whether it was related to work or something happening in our personal lives, he was always willing to listen, encourage us, and help however he could. Even when I made mistakes or had things I needed to improve, he gave me opportunities to learn instead of simply making me feel bad about them. That gave me confidence and motivated me to become better.
I also learned a lot from him professionally. Over the past year, I improved many of my cooking skills, became more comfortable working in a professional kitchen, and learned how important communication, teamwork, responsibility, and efficiency are in a busy kitchen environment. Looking back at myself when I first arrived compared with who I am now, I can see how much I have grown.
Overcoming Challenges
There were definitely challenges throughout the year, especially because living and working in a new country and adapting to a different culture was not always easy. But those challenges also became an important part of my experience. They taught me how to be more independent, patient, adaptable, and understanding of other people.
What I will remember most is not only the work itself, but the people. On my last day, Jake arranged for me to work at Stuga, where I had the opportunity to see the team prepare for a beautiful wedding. Watching everyone put so much care into creating an unforgettable experience for the guests while knowing that it was also my final day made it feel like a very special ending to my journey here.
When I left, I realized just how attached I had become to this place and to the people around me. It was much more emotional than I expected. This experience gave me friendships, memories, professional skills, and personal growth that I will carry with me for a very long time.
I am truly grateful to everyone who made this opportunity possible, and especially to my supervisor, Jake, and the entire team for welcoming me, teaching me, supporting me, and making me feel like part of a family.
Although my internship has ended, I don’t feel like this is necessarily goodbye forever. I hope that after taking some time to continue improving myself, I will have the opportunity to come back one day as a better and more experienced version of Kai.
The Program Exceeded my Expectations!
It provided me with valuable hands-on training in a professional kitchen while allowing me to learn directly from experienced supervisors. I had many opportunities to improve both my technical and leadership skills in a real working environment.
The training was well organized, and the support from my supervisors and coworkers helped me grow professionally and personally. I also gained a better understanding of American workplace culture, communication, teamwork, and customer service. Overall, the experience was extremely rewarding and beneficial for my future career.
I gained valuable knowledge in kitchen management, leadership, supervision, cost control, food safety, and daily kitchen operations. I learned how to prioritize tasks, communicate effectively with coworkers, solve problems under pressure, and maintain high standards of quality and efficiency.
In addition to improving my culinary and operational skills, I became more confident in working as part of a professional team and developed stronger organizational and time management abilities. These experiences have prepared me well for future leadership positions in the hospitality industry.
My Favorite Cultural Activity!
My favorite cultural activity was exploring the beautiful natural environment of northern Minnesota. I especially enjoyed hiking, visiting Gooseberry Falls State Park and experiencing the changing seasons. During the winter, I also had the opportunity to go skiing, which has a completely new experience for me. These activities allowed me to better understand American outdoor culture a=d appreciate the natural beauty of the region while creating unforgettable memories.
The Very Positive Impact of Greenheart’s Intern and Trainee Program
My Greenheart Exchange Intern and Trainee Program had a very positive impact on both my professional and personal development. It strengthened my technical knowledge, leadership abilities, communication skills, and confidence in an international work. The program also gave me a deeper appreciation for cultural exchange and allowed me to build meaningful relationships with people from different backgrounds. I believe this experience has prepared me well for future career opportunities and has broadened my global perspective. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program.
Final Thoughts! A remarkable Program Experience on All Levels
I would like to sincerely thank Greenheart Exchange, my host organization, and my supervisors for providing such a valuable learning opportunity. The training was well structured, and everyone was supportive throughout the program. This experience has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my life, and I will always appreciate everything I learned during my internship. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to my supervisor, Jake Wiele. Jake is not only an outstanding leader and mentor, but also, a very fun and engaging supervisor to work with. He created a positive and supportive work environment, was always willing to answer questions, provide guidance, and share his experience. His encouragement, patience, and sense of humor made the training both enjoyable and rewarding. I truly appreciate everything he has taught me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from him. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to have this experience. This past year has become a very meaningful chapter of my life, and I will always be grateful for it.
Thank you, Kaibin! We do wish you a wonderful remainder of your program and all the success in your future endeavors!
Are you a U.S. business and interested in hosting international professionals to enrich your company with a global perspective? Visit HostGreenheartProfessionals.org to learn more.