At Club Med, the term “all-inclusive” means more than just an all-in-one package including exceptional locations, premium services, lively entertainment; it promises a worry-free paradise for guests. At the heart of this experience are the G.Os, the lifeblood of the resort atmosphere. They are always in the spotlight, leading everything from quiet conversations to high-energy stage performances and transforming each interaction into a meaningful connection. With such a vibrant atmosphere, it’s easy to assume every G.O must have boundless energy.
So, is it possible for a quieter, more reserved person to truly thrive at Club Med? Madusha’s journey from a quiet novice to a confident ski instructor is the definitive answer, highlighting how the ‘all-inclusive’ spirit makes room for every personality to shine.
Back in Australia, Madusha had followed a traditional path from his studies at the University of Melbourne to managing e-commerce for a publishing company. After a long, uninterrupted stretch of school and work, at the age of 25, he realized that he needed a break. It wasn’t about escaping his career, but simply a chance to try something new and explore a different side of himself.
In a bold move to experience something he had never tried before, Madusha joined a program with EA Ski & Snowboard Training where he not only tried the sport but also mastered the skills to become a ski instructor. It is one of the world’s largest organizations for training and certifying instructors across resorts in Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the U.S, with direct pathways to employment at major corporate partners. The program took him from a beginner to a confident expert on the slopes and opened the door to his next chapter: an internship with Club Med.
As a newly qualified ski instructor, Madusha’s journey began at Club Med Kiroro Grand. It was a stunning property: new, modern, and undeniably fancy. However, he soon discovered he was more comfortable with a casual atmosphere than the impressive setting at Club Med Kiroro Grand when he was transferred to Club Med Sahoro a few weeks later. It is a family-focused resort, which was more relaxed and informal, a place he felt he truly belonged.
But the work wasn’t that easy. It was a high-energy, nonstop environment that sometimes felt more suited to extroverts. “I would say I am not the typical Club Med personality” he admitted, “I’m not loud. I don’t love being the center of attention”. It was then that Madusha truly understood the core of this experience. Club Med didn’t ask him to be louder, he was simply required to show up, do his best, and bring his own version of warmth, discipline to the team.
He said: “But I didn’t have to change who I am. That’s how I found my place in my team, with my students, in small conversations backstage.”
Once Madusha was no longer under pressure to be someone else, he transformed the challenging environment of the ski course into an ideal training ground for himself. The schedule was relentless, with a six-day workweek at Club Med where a typical high-pressure day began with early morning preparations and hours for training on the snowy slopes. His responsibilities often extended beyond, as even lunches were spent sharing stories with guests, and some days stretched late into the evening with vibrant night shows.
Yet, for all its demands, the work never grew tedious. Instead, the shared challenges strengthened the team’s bond, and every interaction became a practical lesson for Madusha in building genuine connections with guests from vastly different backgrounds. Over time, his time management and communication skills reached a new level. More than just new skills, the experience led Madusha to appreciate the quieter aspects of life he had previously overlooked. This newfound enjoyment of his own company was an unexpected revelation, granting him an unshakable confidence rooted in a better understanding of his identity.
This growth was fostered in a working environment built on mutual effort, where authenticity was embraced, openness to differences was encouraged, and everyone took responsibility to give their best. And his quiet dedication began to show. At the end-of-season celebration, Madusha was recognized as “Most Improved Instructor” proving that although his growth was quiet, its impact was louder than anything. That also reaffirmed his initial decision – stepping off the “career treadmill” doesn’t mean falling behind.’
Madusha has since returned to his full-time job in Melbourne, picking up right where he left off with much more self-understanding and confidence.
“After snow session at Club Med, I know I can do anything. Life at Club Med is intensive in ways that go far beyond the slopes. But I made it through quietly and proudly” he said.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 