Future professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry gained practical skills during an internship in Uzbekistan

54 third-year students of the educational programs "Tourism" and "Restaurant and Hotel Business" of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University completed their international internship in Uzbekistan from June 1 to 8 of this year under the guidance of Associate Professor of the Tourism Department K. Mussina and senior lecturers A. Yessenbayeva and A. Omarova.

Academic partnership and professional exchange

The main host institution was Tashkent University, where the participants of the international internship were accommodated in the student dormitory and became acquainted with the infrastructure of one of Uzbekistan’s leading universities in the field of digital technologies. A campus tour was organized for the ENU delegation, during which the students learned about modern approaches to education, digitalization, and the development of programs in tourism.

Lectures by professors on the topics “Accelerated Tourism Development Using Artificial Intelligence” and “Software Development in the Tourism Industry” sparked particular interest. These sessions examined innovative IT solutions in the hospitality and digital marketing sectors.

Exploring Tourist Destinations: Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand

One of the key goals of the international internship was to explore the rich tourism and cultural potential of Uzbekistan. On the very first day, the students took a sightseeing tour of the capital, visiting Amir Temur Square, the memorial museum, the White Mosque, and modern infrastructure sites such as the Tashkent City business district and the Hilton Hotel. These locations served as examples of a successful blend of historical and cultural heritage with modern tourist services that meet international standards.

Special attention in the program was given to studying historic cities included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. In Bukhara, the students visited ancient architectural ensembles, madrasahs, mosques, and bazaars that have preserved the authenticity of Eastern architecture. The city was presented as a model of sustainable tourism, where tourism activity is harmoniously combined with the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites. During a meeting with representatives of Bukhara State University, the prospects of joint academic programs, scientific research, and student exchanges were discussed.

The trip to Samarkand was a vivid conclusion to the internship’s excursion block. Students visited the legendary Registan Square — a symbol of Uzbekistan — admired the architecture of the Gur-Emir Mausoleum where the great Amir Temur rests, and walked through the streets of the Shah-i-Zinda architectural complex. The participants noted the high level of tour services, the professionalism of the guides, and the well-organized tourism based on cultural heritage.

Gastronomic and Hospitality Experience

An important part of the program was the introduction to traditional Uzbek cuisine. The international internship participants visited various dining establishments, including “Besh Qozon,” “Marvarid,” “Bukhoro Café,” and restaurants in Samarkand, where they assessed service standards, interior design, staff performance, and the presentation of national dishes. This was especially valuable for students of the "Restaurant and Hotel Business" program, as they had the opportunity to compare approaches to food service organization in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

A visit to the “Eski Shahar” market was also organized, where students observed the operations of small and medium-sized businesses in the tourism sector, including craft shops, street food vendors, souvenir stores, and tasting points.

Results and Impressions

The final stage of the international internship included certificates award ceremony for the students’ active participation and a festive dinner at the dormitory. The students expressed their gratitude to the organizers for the unique opportunity to broaden their professional horizons, become acquainted with the tourism system of a neighboring country, explore new service formats, and strengthen intercultural ties.

The international internship in Uzbekistan became an important milestone in the professional development of future specialists in the tourism and hospitality industry. It allowed them to combine academic knowledge with practical observation, strengthened partnerships between universities, and demonstrated the value of educational mobility as a tool for developing the next generation of professionals.