My name is Jana Jassir Zakari. I'm 27 years old, and I'm studying Creative Business at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden. During my studies, I've focused a lot on branding, marketing, and content creation. For my graduation internship, I was looking for an organization where I could combine these interests with a dynamic working environment. That's how I ended up at WestCord Hotels. What immediately attracted me was that every hotel has its own unique identity and that you're given plenty of freedom to contribute creative ideas. I'm currently doing my internship in the marketing department for the Northern and Wadden Island hotels, where I work on social media, marketing campaigns, and strengthening the brands of the different hotels on a daily basis.

What attracted you most to this internship in the marketing department?

What appeals to me most is the variety and the opportunity to think creatively. Every WestCord hotel has its own character and target audience, so you're never working on the same thing all the time. I also like that this internship isn't just about creating content—you're involved in campaigns, branding, and a wide range of marketing projects. It gives you a great understanding of how marketing works within a large hotel organization.

What does your internship involve, and what do you work on every day?

During my internship, I work as part of the marketing team for WestCord's Northern and Wadden Island hotels. No two days are the same. One day I'm writing copy for social media or the website, the next I'm designing a poster, promoting an event, or visiting one of the hotels to create content. Besides that, I support the team with a variety of marketing tasks and projects that come up throughout the day.

You're responsible for the marketing of multiple locations (the North and the Wadden Islands). How do you approach that?

Because I work for several hotels, I'm in regular contact with colleagues from different locations. I also visit the hotels from time to time to create content, attend meetings, or get a better understanding of what's happening at each location. I really enjoy that because it means I'm not just working from the office—I also get to experience the hotels firsthand and get to know the different teams.

What has been your favorite part of the internship so far?

What I've enjoyed most so far is seeing the results of my own work. Whether it's a social media post, a poster, or a piece of content on the website, it's rewarding to come across something I've created online or in one of the hotels. It makes the work feel tangible and gives me a real sense of accomplishment.

What have you learned during your internship that you didn't expect beforehand?

Before I started, I didn't realize how broad marketing in the hospitality industry really is. I expected to focus mainly on social media and content creation, but there's so much more involved. I've also worked on websites, printed materials, events, partnerships, and coordinating with different departments and hotels. It has shown me just how diverse the field is and how much happens behind the scenes.

What was the biggest challenge when you first started your internship?

In the beginning, the biggest challenge was getting used to working for multiple hotels instead of just one company. Every hotel has its own identity, and you work with different colleagues and contacts across the organization. It takes some time to get to know everyone and understand the different ways of working. I'm still learning, and I actually think that's one of the most enjoyable aspects of the internship.

How would you describe the collaboration with your colleagues?

The collaboration is very open and approachable. Even though I'm an intern, I'm genuinely involved in the team's work and I can always turn to my colleagues with questions or to brainstorm ideas. Everyone is willing to help and contribute, which makes it a great environment to work in.

What has been your biggest achievement or favorite project so far?

I especially enjoy projects where you can really see the final result. For example, working on a campaign or designing a poster from start to finish and then seeing it published online or displayed in one of the hotels is incredibly rewarding.

If you had to describe your internship in three words, what would they be?

Dynamic, educational, and creative.

Why would you recommend an internship at WestCord to other students? (Or not, of course 😉)

I would definitely recommend WestCord as an internship destination, especially if you're looking for a lot of variety. You get the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and actually see the results of your work. There's also plenty of room to contribute your own ideas and explore different aspects of marketing, allowing you to gain valuable hands-on experience in a relatively short period of time.