Jasper(22)

As a second-year tourism student in Delft I wanted to gain international experience. The IEC Young Professionals program offered the opportunity to work in Canada for up to two years in your field of study. I applied to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel — an iconic hotel in the middle of the Rocky Mountains — and was hired as a front desk agent.

Banff is surreal. You literally live in a national park, surrounded by mountains, bears and elk. The town itself has 8,000 residents, but tens of thousands work in the tourism sector. Parks Canada enforces strict rules: you can only live in Banff if you work there, and new construction is nearly impossible. Housing is therefore a challenge — I lived in staff accommodation at the hotel.

Working at the Fairmont was a masterclass in world-class hospitality. Guests from over fifty countries, strict service protocols and a team with colleagues from Australia, Japan, Brazil and the Philippines. My English improved enormously, I learned to handle VIP guests and for the first time understood how a luxury hotel chain operates. That experience is gold on your CV.

Banff's seasonal cycle is intense. Winter (November-April) revolves around ski tourism at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mt. Norquay. Summer (June-September) brings millions of hikers, canoers and wildlife spotters. Between seasons are quiet and many seasonal workers leave. I stayed year-round and received a permanent contract, which laid the foundation for my continued stay.

What I didn't expect was the community. Banff has a tight expat community of young people from around the world. There are weekly potlucks, hiking groups and pub quiz nights. The isolation of a small mountain town paradoxically creates very strong friendships. Some of my best friends I met in Banff.

Now I'm back in the Netherlands to finish my degree, but my plan is set: after graduation I'm going back to Canada. My employer in Banff has offered LMIA sponsorship and with my Canadian work experience I can apply for PR through the Canadian Experience Class. Banff was the start of my international career — and I'm only 22.