Indian vs American Hospitality Industry: Santosh's Experience Working at Marriott Atlanta
Santosh shares his unique perspective as a hospitality professional—from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to SpiceJet Airlines to Marriott in Atlanta. His insight: 'Management understands you better in India but respects you better in the United States.'
Indian vs American Hospitality Industry: Santosh's Experience at Marriott Atlanta
A unique perspective from a hospitality professional—from the Andaman Islands to SpiceJet to Marriott Atlanta. Santosh shares the cultural differences in how management treats employees in India versus the US.
Key Insights from This Story
- From Andaman and Nicobar Islands to international hospitality career
- 3-4 years India experience: SpiceJet, Chennai hotels, Marriott Four Points
- 2 years at Marriott Atlanta on job internship
- Key insight: India understands, US respects
- Visa challenges in hospitality sector
- Next stop: Germany for hospitality career
Santosh's Background
Santosh brings a unique perspective to the Desi Return community—he's from the hospitality industry, not IT. His journey started in one of India's most remote locations.
Origin Story
- Birthplace: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Education: Completed studies in India (Tamil Nadu and other states)
- Industry: Hospitality
- Current location: United States (Atlanta)
- Time in US: 2 years
Hospitality Experience in India
Santosh spent 3-4 years building his hospitality career in India before moving to the US.
Career Journey in India
| Company | Role/Details |
|---|---|
| SpiceJet Airlines | 1 year in Reservations—"wonderful time to remember" |
| V7 Hotel, Chennai | Three-star property—first hotel experience |
| Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram | Marriott resort property—helped him grow significantly |
| Adel (Real Estate) | Brief stint—tried to leave hospitality |
The Hospitality Calling
Santosh tried to leave hospitality for real estate, thinking he'd "work it out" in a different industry.
This realization brought him back to the industry he loved.
The Unacknowledged Struggle
Santosh emphasizes that hospitality professionals' struggles are often overlooked:
- Career paths not as well-documented as IT
- Visa processes less understood
- International opportunities exist but aren't publicized
- Sponsorship challenges are real but rarely discussed
Moving to the US
Santosh's move to the US was for work, not education—a path less traveled in hospitality.
How It Happened
- Type: Job internship (similar to IT sector's OGT)
- Company: Marriott
- Location: Atlanta, United States
- Duration: 2 years (at time of interview)
- Not for study: Studies were completed in India
Hospitality International Paths
Santosh wants people to know that hospitality has international career paths too:
- Job internships available (like IT's OGT)
- Major hotel chains offer international opportunities
- Visa sponsorship is possible (though challenging)
- Career growth can happen across borders
Work Culture: India vs US
This is Santosh's most powerful insight—the fundamental difference in how management treats employees.
⚠️ The Key Difference
What This Means
| Aspect | India | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional attachment | Managers have emotional connection | No emotional attachment |
| Understanding | "You're sick, family not well"—they understand | Less personal understanding |
| Respect for needs | May ignore personal needs | Respects needs based on "humanity laws" |
| Personal situations | Understood but may not act | Acted upon professionally |
The Nuance
Santosh acknowledges this is a sensitive topic but shares his honest experience:
- In India, managers understand your personal situations emotionally
- But they may still ignore your personal needs
- In the US, there's no emotional bond
- But your needs are respected as a matter of policy
Pay and Worth
Another honest observation about early career in hospitality:
Visa Challenges in Hospitality
Santosh is candid about the visa challenges that hospitality workers face in the US.
⚠️ The Reality
- Getting work visa in hospitality is very difficult in the US
- Hotel management won't easily give work permits
- Involves lots of government paperwork
- Many federal questions to answer
- Even good performance doesn't guarantee sponsorship
Santosh's Situation
Despite his experience and performance:
- Couldn't get work visa
- Management positions won't sponsor easily
- Had to make a decision about next steps
⚠️ Warning About Shortcuts
Santosh warns against taking illegal paths:
- Some people find "ways" by doing small jobs illegally
- The risk is huge
- The money and investment to come to US is significant
- Getting caught has serious consequences
- International students suffer a lot from this
His advice: Don't take false hope from people saying "you can work it out."
Future Plans
Santosh isn't giving up on international hospitality—he's pivoting strategically.
The Plan
- Return to India: Coming back with a plan
- Stay in India: Couple of months
- Next destination: Germany
- Process: Already started for Germany
Why Germany?
Santosh has heard positive things about Germany for hospitality:
- Good pay
- Good exposure
- Respect for work
- Hospitality is about travel and work—"keep moving, keep upgrading, keep learning"
Comparing Options
For international hospitality careers, Santosh compared:
- US: Slightly hard for hoteliers to get work visa directly
- Europe: More opportunities (Germany specifically)
- India: Home base, but different career trajectory
Advice for Aspirants
Prepare Mentally
Before leaving India, understand you'll live with different people, religions, and cultures. Make up your mind that you're going into a new life.
Keep Your Mind Open
Be ready to adjust. Once you step out of your home, it's not your home anymore. You have to be accommodative.
Don't Be Afraid to Be Different
Indian students coming abroad have a huge fear to step aside and show how different they are. Don't be that person—have strong guts.
Value Your International Friendships
Your family hasn't seen your journey abroad—only your close friends there have witnessed your struggles. Be loyal to those friendships and carry them forward.
The Reverse Factor
Santosh talks about the importance of reciprocity:
Key Takeaways
Santosh's Journey Summary
- Hospitality career from Andaman to Atlanta
- India understands, US respects—key cultural difference
- Visa challenges are real in hospitality sector
- Don't take shortcuts—risks are too high
- Germany next—keep moving, keep learning
- Value friendships made abroad
- Be open-minded and ready to adjust
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