I received two interesting comments from a reader named Brian. He asked me why Marriott doesn't sponsor people from other countries to train in our hotels in the United States.
Actually, we do sponsor international associates to train in our country. Currently, we have 590 people from different countries training at our hotels in the U.S. on what's called a J-1 visa.
These associates train for a year in our domestic hotels and they are a great asset to our company. They possess great skills and bring with them unique, international perspectives. Not to mention, they can help us communicate better with guests visiting from other countries.
In fact, when I was in Fort Lauderdale at Christmastime, I met two of our associates who were in the country on J-1 visas. Both of them were from India. One was from Chennai and the other one from Hyderabad. They told me they were excited about what they were learning at Marriott and hope to return to India and work in the hotels that we have over there.
When the visas expire after one year, these employees have to go home for at least a year. Some take permanent jobs at a Marriott where they live. They end up playing the very special role of "ambassadors" for our company and for the United States. They share their firsthand experiences here in the United States and help reinforce Marriott's culture of the Spirit to Serve our guests, the local communities and fellow associates.
After spending a year at home as required by U.S. law, some come back for jobs with Marriott in the States. If they're hired, we sponsor them with an L-1 work visa until they are eligible to apply for their green cards. Whether they decide to come back to the U.S. or continue to work abroad, many participants in this J-1 Exchange Visitor Program have gone on to hold very high positions within our global network.
Marriott also sponsors a few U.S. employees to work abroad. One way is the Jessica King Scholarship. Jessica, an American, was the Front Office Manager at the Copenhagen Marriott in Denmark when she was killed in a plane crash in 2001.
Jessica's family and the Association for International Practical Training established a scholarship in her honor. They wanted to help Americans develop a deeper understanding of other cultures through training, working and living abroad, just like Jessica did. Her scholarship means other Americans will have the same opportunities.
Whether people from other countries are coming here to the U.S., or Americans are going abroad, international sponsorship is something we strongly believe in. There is no substitute for the experiences you will have and the lessons you will learn working in another country and absorbing its culture.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
I've worked for a year in the States with a J1 Visa.I went back home and worked with Marriott in Europe. I'm here almost 2 years now and would like to go back to the States with a L1 visa. I've heard that that is just possible if I have a certain Manager position and that you can't transfer when you are not a Manager. Is that correct?
I would appreciate any suggestions or information about it!
Warm regards,
Nina
Posted by: nditt448@googlemail.com | 01/07/2011 at 04:18 PM
Hello Mr Marriott,
I'm from Malaysia. I would like to thank you for the opportunity that was given to me in year 2005 when I participated in J-1 training program in Marriott New Orleans, LA.
I had such a wonderful time there in the Big Easy City that the memories still keep fresh in my mind. I still remember that Marriott as the company has been taking care all their associates very very well. I was one of those thousand of people that affected by the hurricane katrina. I still remember that I was all the help from Marriott during those hard days. I even was there when you came over to New Orleans to re-open the JW Marriott after almost 2 months when the hurricane struck. I never regret to came back to New Orleans to help out to rebuild the city even when I was being offered to finish my training in JW Marriott Grand Lakes, Orlando. But I choose to be back in NOLA.
Someday I will be with Marriott Group again because I know that Marriott Associates have the Marriott Culture as their philosophy.
P/s: The other day when I was in the bus coming back from work (at one of the biggest building in the world) I saw that Marriott will be opening soon in Macau. I really can't wait for it! Just let me know when Marriott or Ritz are hiring. I will be there in a snap!!
Thanks for everything!
Best regards,
Azhar
Posted by: Azhar Elmiza Ahmad | 03/01/2008 at 03:13 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott:
Thanks for your comments. I was an AIPT and a management trainee with the Marriott International, Inc. with the J-1 visa. I am sure I had a picture taken with you in the Baltimore Renaissance Harborplace in 2001. I am now working in China as a hospitality teacher in a vocational-technical college. I still can not forget the Marriott culture and its philosophy. If I want to come back to contribute to the Marriott International in the States, can I be sponsored with a L-1 visa? Thanks
Posted by: Shukun Zhang | 02/25/2008 at 06:38 PM
Dear Mr Marriott,
I worked for your companpy as part of the Walsh Visa/Irish peace process for three years in Washington DC and Virginia in Event Technology and found the experiance highly rewarding. I look forward to the opening of The Marriott Belfast and the world class service that is Marriott.
David Thomas McQueen
Posted by: David Thomas McQueen | 02/24/2008 at 03:36 AM
Bill,
I don't see any program where Marriott offers to hire graduates particularly from MBA in hospitality and tourism administration.
Do you offer any internship for MBA students to lead the Marriott leadership in future?
Thanks.
Current MBA Candidate & Potential employee
Posted by: Fahim | 02/22/2008 at 01:42 AM
We went to Marbella last year & met some wonderful staff who are from diverse nations. They were appreciative of the opportunities Marriott has offered.
Posted by: Kirsten Coombs | 02/11/2008 at 12:59 PM
The next thing that it would be great to see would be adoption benefits for your employees. You're falling way behind there. You can visit http://davethomasfoundationforadoption for more information about that. Another area that is widely ignored is fertility services benefits. Many people would love the opportunity to create a child and are stymied by the astronomical cost of trying to medically resolve their fertility issues. Both such measures would go along way toward community goodwill.
Posted by: Ron | 02/11/2008 at 12:07 PM
I had the opportunity to watch part of your talk at the Press Club in Washington over the weekend. I was pleased to learn that you had a blog and will try and visit it from time to time. As a Platinum Member you will appreciate my connection with Marriott. I have had the pleasure to know HansPeter Backoffner when he was stationed in Boston and Munich and my recernt lengthy stay at the Renaissance in Paris was most enjoyable as was my stay over Christmas at the Marriott, Canary Wharf, London. You and all your staff have an exemplary code of conduct. God bless you.
Posted by: Richard McKinney | 02/10/2008 at 11:31 PM
Dear Mr. Marriott:
I saw tonight on CSPAN
Sat. Feb. 9th. You spoke at the National
Press Club. I was so moved the was you
talked about your Mom & Dad, and how they
traveled across this great County of ours
in their MODEL T. The great admiration that you still feel for your parents after
all these years was so beautiful. See I lived with my Mom and Dad until their passing in 1996 and 2000. Then I met a
writer for the Buffalo News and got
married. I was 47 at the time. Your
story was wonderful Mr. Marriott.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
P.S. My Wife & I Love Your Places
Sincerely
Ron Berke
Posted by: Ron Berke | 02/09/2008 at 01:47 PM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
I have been looking for a legal way to go to the US and work in the hospitality business. I am looking for a professional opportunity to work and enhance my customer care skills with a prosperous hotel chain. I firmly believe that the experience of working in an American hospitality institute such as the Marriott will be irreplaceable, unique and matchless. I would love to know how I could apply for the international J-1 training programs sponsored by your chain. I would extremely appreciate any help you and your concerned management can provide in this aspect. I have no problem in adhering to the J-1's complete rules and regulations.
Posted by: Feras Werr | 02/08/2008 at 09:36 PM
I´m from Brazil, and I had the opportunity to participate on a J-1 Visa Program. I stayed for 18 months, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott- TExas and it was great To learn the Marriott Culture at the country it was Born. Great People, great chance to grow both in a Professional and Personal way. It really helped my career within the company. If you have the chance to do it. Go for it!
Posted by: Alex Cardoso | 02/06/2008 at 07:31 PM
I have noticed for some time your practice of bringing people in from overseas to work at your US hotels. It is particularly noticeable at the registration desk since the nameplates on their lapels indicate where they're from. I have found your employees from these countries to be some of the best and most friendly people I have met at your hotels. It is a disappointment for me when I come back to those properties I frequent to find they have returned to their country or gone on to another Marriott property. Keep up this terrific program. You are not only training Marriott employees, but goodwill ambassadors for our country.
Posted by: Steven Kahn | 02/06/2008 at 09:39 AM
Bill, what was the second comment from Brian? Just curious
Posted by: Rory | 02/06/2008 at 09:35 AM
It's nice to see a company actively investing in the education of their employees.
Posted by: English Lessosn | 02/06/2008 at 07:56 AM