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Hotel Internship at an Eco Resort in Bangladesh

Posted by on March 31st, 2014

Title: Hotel Intern

Number of Open Positions: 2

Location: Jessore, Bangladesh

Duration: 8 weeks

Salary: 15,000 Tk/ month living stipend (room, board, and transportation within Bangladesh are provided; students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Bangladesh)

Job Description:
Panigram Resort will be a socially and environmentally responsible spa resort located in southern Bangladesh. We are developing a luxury boutique resort with a spa and wellness center that protects the natural and cultural heritage of Bangladesh, provides authentic and distinctive travel experiences to discerning travelers, promotes sustainable development, and improves the quality of life in the host community. The hotel interns will help with the hospitality training of the villagers and creating the standard operating procedure manual as well as other miscellaneous pre-opening activities.  Interns also act as ambassadors for Panigram Resort in our host community and are expected to participate in other activities with the villagers such as Friday English lessons with children and movie night.

You will be staying in the newly constructed staff quarters at the resort property. The rooms are clean and modern and you will have your own private bathroom, but there is no air conditioning.

Interns are given some basic Bangla lessons when they arrive so that they can communicate with the villagers. The Bangladeshi people are very warm and hospitable and our past interns have formed some strong bonds with the community.

The environment is one of work and play where you can take a pottery class in our pottery village, go on a cow cart ride, take a night time boat ride, and truly experience Bangladeshi village life. The resort is currently under construction so you will be a part of the pre-opening process.

Qualifications:
•    Hotel major
•    Has completed at least their sophomore year
•    Independent worker
•    Comfortable working in foreign cultures

To Apply:
Please send your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the internship to hr@panigram.com with the subject “Hotel Internship” by May 1, 2014. (Applications without cover letters will not be accepted.)

Categories: Internships, Job Opportunities | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments: 2

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ULAB Professor Helps Bring Organic Farming to Our Village

Posted by on June 30th, 2013

This week Panigram was host to Shafiqul Islam, a professor from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. He came to assist the interns in refining the plan for the organic farming test plot. Professor Shafiq is well versed in the methodology and theory behind organic farming as he was actually an organic farmer before he became a professor.

Shafiqul Islam, professor of organic farming at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), and Dudu, a local farmer, discuss the benefits of organic farming.

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Categories: Community Outreach, Interns, News, Social Responsibility | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Comments: 1

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The Gift of Teaching

Posted by on December 10th, 2012

If I had to describe our students in one word, I’d choose “unique.”

Most adult ESL students live in urban areas where they’re exposed–whether a lot or a little–to cultures other than their own. They pass hotels and Western-style restaurants. They see tourists. They may even work for international companies.

Not our students.

Before they started our English class, many of them had never met or spoken to a native English speaker and their exposure to anything tourism related was almost non-existent. Simple things that most travelers take for granted are completely foreign to these students, and foreigners are exotic creatures. At the same time, their simple lifestyle and age-old practices are utterly fascinating to travelers like me.

Trying my hand, er foot, at the rice mill near one of our student's homes.

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Categories: Community Outreach, News, Responsible Hospitality, Social Responsibility | Tags: , , , | Comments: Be the first to comment..

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“You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!”

Posted by on November 11th, 2012

As a teacher, when you’re with your students, experiencing their growth as it happens, sometimes it’s difficult to realize how far they’ve come. Sometimes you need a little perspective.

Well that’s exactly what happened when our new students arrived.

As I sat giving the new students their preliminary speaking evaluations, I was reminded of the original students (whom we have lovingly named our “Pioneers”). Back in June, the Pioneers were awkward and confused. They either quickly blurted out whatever English they had memorized or sat looking at me blankly, answering every question with, “Yes.”

“Ma’am. Panigram Resort is very, very wonderful. I love Panigram Resort.”

“Oh, thank you. That’s nice. Now, what do you see in the picture?”

“Yes.”

“What is the boy doing?”

“Yes.”

“How is the weather?”

Silence.

Over the past few months, I’ve been so focused on our goal ahead and all the work required to reach it that I had forgotten where we started.

Meeting the new students, I was reminded. Reminded of my first few lessons back in June, when I was still figuring out how much English skill the students really had. Reminded of the patience and repetition required to explain seemingly simple tasks. Reminded how overwhelming it all seemed.

Now, when I teach a class to the Pioneer students, they’re no longer awkward. It’s no longer laborious to give instructions. They no longer stare at me blankly and answer every question with, “Yes.” They do still tell me how much they love Panigram Resort, though. (Smile.)

So, as we begin again with the new students, who are still in their awkward phase, I am able to appreciate the progress we’ve made so far and feel even more excited about the progress I know we’ll continue to make.

We still have a long way to go, but there’s no doubt we’re getting there, one English class at a time.

Nazmeen (far left) and Angela (far right) with one of their "Pioneer" classes. (We are still working on breaking them of the Bangladeshi habit of frowning in photos!)

Categories: Community Outreach, News, Responsible Hospitality, Social Responsibility | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments: 4

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British Invasion! Our Second English Trainer Arrives

Posted by on November 9th, 2012

We are really gearing up our village training programs now. About 100 new students joined our classes on November 1st, so we had to import another native speaker to help train them in English. Nazmeen Green is the latest addition to the Panigram team. She will be working with Angela to develop our English curriculum. Nazmeen and Angela are also teaming up with our hospitality experts to teach our students how to book spa treatments, make beds, and properly clean rooms. Most of our village staff will have had one year of training (6 classes a week) by the time Panigram opens its doors.

Nazmeen Green

Nazmeen Green Headshot

Nazmeen Green

Assalam alaikum! I’m Nazmeen Green and I have been working alongside Angela as an English trainer at Panigram for the last month.

I was born and raised in England, where I decided at quite a young age that I wanted to teach English in either France or Germany. However, after graduating with a degree in languages from the University of Wales, Swansea, I realized that I needed a short break from studying in which to travel.

I set off for a one-year teaching contract in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I eventually stayed for eight years. While visiting some friends in Dhaka earlier this year, I was struck with a feeling of belonging. The warmth of the local people and their acceptance of me made me feel instantly at home, especially when they heard that I was a recent convert to Islam.

I started looking for work in Bangladesh and struck gold with Panigram. I am really excited to be part of such an interesting project and to be working with some wonderful people. I have been delighted to see the eagerness of the students and the way Panigram is contributing in a positive way to the local community. I look forward to seeing both the students and the resort develop over the next year.

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Hospitality 101

Posted by on August 8th, 2012

Students practicing their English

It’s my last opportunity to visit the English classes before I have to leave Bangladesh. I feel both sad and excited when Angela, Yohana, and I arrive at the Union Council building where the classes are held.  It will be the last time that I will see these students, and I’m disappointed that I won’t be around to see them finish their training. But today is also exciting because I know there is something special in store for the students.

Today’s lesson will be taught by Yohana Tsegai, the hotel intern. Angela, the instructor from the U.S., usually teaches the class but will have an assisting role this time. It’s the first time where the roles are reversed for Yohana and Angela.  I’m just as curious and interested as the students to see what the lesson will be like. Read the rest of this entry »

Categories: Community Outreach, Education, Interns, Internships, News, Responsible Hospitality, Social Responsibility | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Comments: Be the first to comment..

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It’s Time for English Class!

Posted by on July 30th, 2012

Angela teaching a class on timeAt the Union Council building, it isn’t difficult to find where the English class is. Out in the courtyard, I only had to follow where the loud, excited voices were coming from. Not to mention that the groups of children and adults peering into one of the rooms was a good giveaway that there was something interesting going on inside or perhaps that a foreigner was present—or maybe both!

Last month, Panigram Resort started its English classes to increase the language skills of those interested in becoming a Panigram employee.  All of these students are currently from the surrounding villages near the resort. They come to class eager to participate and learn. In fact, students usually rush to answer the questions if not shout them out. It’s probably every teacher’s dream to have such eager students. Read the rest of this entry »

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