Hays Travel is hosting three interns from Morocco at its Sunderland head office for six weeks, following the success of a similar placement last year.
The agency is working with Morocco’s Education for All charity, which selected business and management students Hind (20), Houda (21) and Laila (20).
Their placement follows the experience of three other Moroccan students – Kaoutar, Nawal and Fatima – who were in the head office in 2023.
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The internships were set up after the agency chain’s owner, Dame Irene Hays, visited an Education for All project in Morocco during Abta’s 2022 convention in Marrakesh.
Following the visit, she pledged to offer placements, which saw Kaoutar, Nawal and Fatima head to Sunderland in 2023. They spent time with retail, marketing, finance, commercial and people services.
“Last year’s interns enjoyed their time with us and gained so much from their experience that the charity, Education for All, contacted us, and we agreed to welcome a further three interns this year,” said Angela Riseam-Smith, Hays Travel head of learning and development.
“This year, each intern has an individually tailored programme. After the general induction, they will also spend time with the people team and Vista before a two-week placement in a business area based on their studies and interests.
“Hind will spend two weeks in retail, Houda in marketing, and Laila across the commercial teams.”
Hays Travel colleagues will also take them to restaurants, the cinema, seaside, theatre and a football match.
Zakiya from the social media team and her sister visited the three interns at their home and gave them henna hand paintings.
The three also hope to visit London to explore the capital while they are in the UK.
The internship is their first experience of travel and their first international trip.
On graduation, Laila intends to work in a travel agency; Hind plans to work in a hotel and Houda would love to run her own business one day. Before that she hopes to learn more while working for an international company.
Laila says life is hard in the High Atlas Mountains, where all three grew up, as schools and hospitals are far away from their home villages.
Reflecting on the devastating earthquake in September 2023, Laila said: “It has been very hard.
“All the houses are gone, and families lost everything in the earthquake. Some people are still living in tents.”
Houda added: “Many people died, and everyone misses the family and friends they lost.”
Hind commented: “It is difficult for life to get back to normal, surrounded by the memories of lost families and friends.”
They appreciate the “brilliant” opportunities and new experiences they are having with Hays – and thanked Education for All Morocco too.
Houda said: “Hays Travel is doing great work. It’s brilliant that all people get an induction, everyone learns about Hays Travel, the values, how everything works, and each other, not just their own department.
“I want to thank my parents for trusting in me to come here for this amazing opportunity.”
Laila added: “Everyone says thank you and appreciates what [Hays] do,” while Hind commented: “There’s a lot of support; everyone is friendly and will help you if you ask.”
Riseam-Smith added: “As an organisation we are committed to supporting young people and helping them to reach their potential – supporting these young people is an extension of that.
“It’s also a positive initiative for all the colleagues involved.”
Juanita Folmsbee, Education for All Association board member, commented: “Girls in the rural High Atlas Mountains face many challenges, just to receive a basic education that many of us take for granted.
“Education for All Association supports girls from this region to continue their education through Lycée and helps them to see beyond their local village to become tomorrow’s leaders in their local communities and beyond.
“Internships like those offered by Hays Travel help them better understand the travel industry and develop their communication skills, cultural awareness, confidence, and adaptability.
“The experiences they have and skills they learn during their internships really change lives; not only theirs but also others back in Morocco.”
To find out more about the work of Education for All, click here.
Main picture, from left: Hind, Houda and Laila at Hays Travel head office in Sunderland. Picture: David Wood.