Welcoming the world
First-year student lands job at hospitality agency for Paris Olympics.
Manuela Bonzo landed her first job the summer before coming to University of Richmond, and it was the experience of a lifetime. Manuela worked with the French-based reception and hospitality staffing agency, Profil, and was paired with Sportfive, a sports marketing agency.
Sportfive was creating a hospitality program for its client ArcelorMittal, an international steel company and Olympics partner, and Bonzo was pulled in to assist. “ArcelorMittal created the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower, the torch, cauldron, and Paralympic Agitos on the Arc de Triomphe. They were a very important partner of the Games,” Bonzo said.
Bonzo worked with colleagues to welcome ArcelorMittal clients to Paris and served as a host throughout their time in the city to and from Olympics events. “I was there if they needed anything,” she said. Bonzo attended the Opening Ceremony, watched several volleyball games, and even got to meet a few athletes. She also spent a lot of time at the client’s accommodations, interacting with guests and ensuring they stayed on schedule.
The experience opened her eyes to the world of hospitality and events, something she would like to experience more. “I met so many interesting people, had the chance to practice my English, eat lots of good food, and travel. I felt the Olympic spirit. It was magical. As a first job I could not ask for better,” Bonzo said.
Born and raised in France, she lives in a town about 45-minutes outside of Paris, Bonzo is no stranger to spending time away from home. For the last two years, she studied at United World College (UWC) Atlantic in Wales. Students travel from over 150 countries to live, study, and learn together, pursuing the International Baccalaureate and an outdoor-oriented experiential education.
Her plan was always to attend college in the U.S., and she was attracted to University of Richmond because of the beautiful campus and small class sizes. And while she has only been a student for a few weeks, “so far so good,” she said.
Manuela dances and plays the cello and is interested in pursuing a degree in global studies and business—all endeavors she looks forward to exploring at UR.