Following feeling over planning
Where some choices come from planning, this one came from feeling. At the time, I had the opportunity to go to Disney in Orlando as a cast member, something that had always felt like a “dream path”. However, during the process I realized that this direction did not fully align with who I am and what I wanted to learn at that moment.
Instead, I chose something less obvious.
I followed what felt more natural to me, which brought me to Cascais, Portugal, where I completed my internship at a surf yoga retreat called The Salty Pelican. Looking back, this decision marked an important moment in my development. It was a shift from following expectations towards making choices based on my own values and intuition.
This is something I want to continue doing in my future: making conscious choices that align with who I am and where I want to grow.
A different perspective on the industry
The environment I entered in Cascais was very different from what I had been exposed to before.
There was no large-scale attractions or fast-paced operations, but a smaller, more personal environment where experiences are created through atmosphere, connection, and attention to detail. Through this, I developed a broader understanding of the leisure industry. I learned that experience is not only created through design or concepting, but also through the way people are welcomed, the energy of a space, the interaction between guests and staff and the overall atmosphere.
I saw how people from different cultures came together. How small details shaped the entire experience. How important it is to truly understand people.
This is where I developed my awareness of intercultural communication, human connection, and what is really means to create something meaningful.
Working in an international environment also increased my awareness of intercultural communication. I interacted with people from all over the world with different cultural backgrounds, which required me to adapt my communication style and approach. This helped me develop skills that are essential within the ATPM field, where diversity and global interaction play a big role.
Looking forward, I want to further develop my ability to understand different target groups and create experiences that connect with them on a deeper level.
Professional and personal development
During my internship, I was responsible for social media, alongside operational tasks and observing management processes. this allowed me to develop several skills. I improved in
- Working independently and taking responsibility
- Planning and managing my own tasks
- Applying marketing skills in a real-life setting
- Learning how to work with editing and videography
At the same time, I gained insight into how an organization operates, from daily processes to decision-making.
However, my development during this internship was not only professional, it was very personal. Living abroad and stepping into a completely new environment challenged me. I had to adapt to a different rhythm, take initiative, and step outside my comfort zone. Living and working with people from all over the world meant constantly being surrounded by different perspectives, habits, expectations, and ways of thinking. At times, this felt overwhelming. I noticed that I often tried to adjust, control situations, or make sure everything and everyone felt aligned but over time, this led to a deeper realization.
During this period, I read about what is often referred to as the “Let Them Theory” (Robbins, 2023). This idea focusses on allowing people to be who they are, without trying to control, fix, or change their behavior. One of the lines that stayed with me is “Let them be who they are so you can be who you are”. This completely changed my perspective. Instead of trying to manage situations or people, I started to step back more. I began to observe rather than react, and to accept that not everything needs to be controlled to work. This shift had a very positive impact on the way I work and interact with others. I noticed that I became calmer in group situations, I listened more instead of trying to direct, I was more open to different perspective and collaboration felt more natural and less forced. This experience thought me that working with others is not about controlling the process, but about creating space for different people to contribute in their own way.
Looking forward, I want to actively apply this mindset in team projects and future professional environments by focusing on trust, observation, and acceptance instead of control. This lesson did not only influence my professional development, but also the way I approach life in general.
Robbins, M. (2023). The Let Them Theory. Hay House Publishing.
The art of slowing down, what this internship really thaught me
Looking back at my internship and the transition into year 3, I can see that this period played a major role in my development
It was not only about gaining experience, but understanding how I learn, where I struggle, and what motivated me. My biggest insights are:
- I am strongly motivated by creating meaningful work
- I need to improve my disciple and consistency
- I develop the most when I step out of my comfort zone
- I work best when I can combine creativity with structure
I see a clear shift in my development. From exploring and reacting, to becoming more aware and intentional. Instead of just going through experiences, I now reflect on them and use them as input for my development
One of the most impactful things this internship thought me was something I did not expect at all: how to slow down.
Coming from the Netherlands, I was used to a lifestyle that is very focused on productivity. Everything revolves around planning, deadlines, efficiency, and always moving toward. There is a constant pressure to be busy, to achieve, and to make every moment count in a productive way.
In Portugal, this was completely different. The rhythm of life was slower, more present, more connected to the moment. At first, this felt unfamiliar, and it gave me stress. But over time, I started to notice something changing.
I realized that my body had been in a constant state of stress for years, without me even being aware of it. By slowing down, that tension slowly started to disappear.
I began to experience things differently. I started noticing the small things: the sound of the ocean, the feeling of the sun, people talking on the street, the calmness of daily routines.
Instead of constantly thinking about what comes next, I was more present in what was happening. This helped me reconnect with something I had lost for a while: my creativity.
Before my internship, I noticed that I was mostly focused on school, deadlines, and scrolling on my phone in my free time without really doing anything meaningful. My creativity felt blocked. In Cascais, that changed. Because I had more space in my mind, I felt inspired again. Ideas came more naturally, and I felt more connected to what I was creating. This made me realize that creativity needs space. And that constantly being busy does not always lead to better results. I feel like this healed a big part inside of me that was blocked for a long time.
I realized that sometimes, slowing down actually makes you more productive in a deeper and more meaningful way.
This experience has had a strong impact on how I see my future. It made me realize that working in environments connected to surfing, yoga, travel, and experience-focused settings truly fits me. Not only because I enjoy it, but because I perform better in there environments, I feel more creative, more present, move motivated, and most important: more alive.
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