Almost finished three months at my internship in The Club at Ibis, and Christmas is fast approaching! As the weeks have gone by I have observed the club getting busier especially when it comes to the holidays. Being from Ireland I have never experienced Thanksgiving, we had been warned by the staff that besides Christmas it is one of the biggest holidays. Little did we know that our newly opened clubhouse would hold a massive Thanksgiving dinner in the grand ballroom seating over 650 members and their extended family. It was a great Cultural experience getting to witness an important American holiday. Before Thanksgiving had even finished the decorators were already running around the Clubhouse adorning it with spruce and lights getting it ready for the Christmas festivities.

 I am writing this blog and quickly checking my Christmas countdown app on my phone, its 16 days away!! It’s crazy to think how fast the weeks are going by. For me personally Christmas time in Florida is really weird! I’m used to the freezing cold temperatures and horrendous weather in Ireland, so going out in shorts and a t-shirt is a completely different experience at this time of year. Christmas is a family time, and although it will be tough spending it apart from my massive crazy family I am very grateful to have such a fabulous “American family” to stuff my face with this year round.
In the last week of November I received a package from home my wee mummy. She sent me over clothes along with various Christmas decorations and of course my very own stocking, but most importantly not to forget my beloved punjana teabags! As soon as December 1st came we purchased a Christmas tree for our apartment, festive fever without a doubt has kicked in! As buddy the elf says “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” In our case I’m surprised we haven’t received a noise complaint for the amount of screeching that goes on every time we put on the Michael Buble Christmas Album. 
 
 
 

Ibis opened a brand new clubhouse this September, within the clubhouse they opened three new restaurant outlets, The Atrium, which is a buffet/A la Carte restaurant, The Pub and Panache a fine dining restaurant. It is a privilege to be part of the first group of international interns to open the new Club at Ibis. The restaurant in which I work is called the Atrium; it is a buffet for lunch and dinner with a la carte options, it proves very popular with the members who play golf. The Atrium is seen as a quick lunch in between a round of golf, and is strategically positioned beside the golf course. The restaurant typically seats many large groups of golfing teams at a time meaning lunchtime is a very busy part of the day.
 
My shift starts at 10am so I catch the 9:15 bus to work. When I arrive its my duty as hostess of the Atrium to get the floor plan from a manager and make sufficient copies for the hostess stand the managers and the side stations for the servers and bar backs. I then communicate with both chefs of the hot and cold buffet, in order to find out what todays specials are which include the carving station, soups, small plates and salads. Once I have this information I can now label all items on the different buffet stations. Other tasks carried out in the morning are ensuring that the lunch table tents are set out on each table and attending pre meal. Pre meal is a meeting with the managers and floor staff to go through today’s menu and to ensure that everyone is working on the same page. Once pre meal is over I ensure that I have everything I need for the lunch rush. Ensure that al my fellow hostesses are up to date on the floor plan and the specials of the day In the event of a member asking them what the specials are they can inform with confidence.

​Safely arrived in New York after a long 7 hour flight, tired but full of excitement. We had a long wait ahead of us another 6 hour wait until our second flight of the day! We stepped onto the plane, which resembled more like an old bus from the 1960's. As I found my seat glancing around to find a familiar face my fear of flying started to get worse. Up in the air no more than 15 mins and we get a warning not to leave our seats that we were flying through a hurricane!
I can safely say I have never experienced worse in my life when we eventually got off the plane I didn't know whether or not to kiss the ground that I actually made it to Florida in one piece!
Now 12am Stepping outside the terminal and the humid heat hits you! Yep were definitely in the US, spot the Irish were all standing round with hoodies on in the sweltering heat! 
We were taxied from the airport to our Apartments to be met by our landlord Francis who showed us around and brought us to Walmart to get bedclothes and food! Straight to bed for all 6 of us after that day of traveling! My apartment is pretty big considering I share with five other irish interns. We quickly settled in on our first night and as we say in Ireland “we hit the hay” after the exhausting trip we had just completed. Having the weekend off to recharge and find our way about West Palm was perfect because Monday morning came fast. 

My Visa is now collected and the fights are booked!!


My one way flight to Florida is now booked! Everything is beginning to seem real!
The only problem now is the packing, too many pairs of shoes not enough room! Girl Problems!!

Interview Day came, I arrived in Belfast armed with every document possible! Passed security where they handed me a visitor pass then proceeded to the office.

Thankfully on the day of my interview the Belfast office seemed to be pretty quiet. When I arrived they called me up, took my documents and checked them only to inform me that I had forgot to bring my visa photograph!
Even though I checked my documents 100 times you always forget something, luckily the consulate allowed me to go after my interview get the photo done and return it to security.

On my second call up to the glass window I had my finger prints taken on both hands and was told to take a seat and wait to be called for interview.

15 mins passed and I was called "Miss McGinley interview booth please". I did not know what to expect, I imagined the interview to be much like an interrogation session. To my disbelief I was greeted by a friendly american lady who went through my details asked about my course then asked if I was excited about my placement!
Fingerprints re-scanned and that was the process finished!
All that dread for nothing the hardest thing was getting through security and taking off every piece of jewellery I own!  

So about a week after I paid for my Visa which in total cost about £1600 (Yes it sounds like a lot of money but it will be totally worth it in the end!!) My visa documentation arrived in the post.
With this information I had to:
1) Book an appointment with the American Consulate in Belfast
2) Pay for the appointment
3) Gather any relevant documentation for the interview.

The nearest appointment was a month away so I booked mine for 7th August, to receive a frustrating email a week later informing me that the consulate had decided to close that day and that i must reschedule another appt which happened to be 18th August.
Word of warning make sure you book your appt ASAP as the appts fill up very quickly!

Travelling to London was such a great experience, learning vital information about our placement and hearing stories from previous interns, and of course not to forget meeting all my fellow Ibis Interns!
After the orientation we all headed to Wetherspoons to introduce ourselves to our groups, after a few drinks.
Later that night we all met again at The Tattershaw Castle for more drinks..... 
(London tubes are not easily navigated after a few too many gins!)

Just about to board my very early flight to London for the Orientation Day! The purpose of this trip is to find out more information about my placement in Florida, to hear past interns experiences and to have the chance to ask any of those unanswered questions!

Up since 4am flying out of Belfast at 6:20am this is going to be a long day, but i'm excited to meet the rest of the Ibis Golf & Country Club Crew!