Reflection on the First Half of My Stay at Chateau Coliving 31.10.24
My experience so far at Chateau Coliving has been great. I’m constantly learning, and the team here has struck a perfect balance between providing guidance and allowing me to learn by doing. This approach, where I’m encouraged to make mistakes and grow from them, has been invaluable.
The busy summer/fall season, with large and diverse groups, has been very educative. The different groups and the changeover process—managing transitions from one group to the next—was something I hadn’t fully anticipated. I learned that while hosting a group is demanding, preparing to welcome the next one requires a completely different set of organisational skills. This has been an eye-opener, and planning these changeovers has taught me a great deal about logistics, time management and adaptability.
In terms of meeting the program’s objectives, I can say that these are being achieved. Not only am I gaining hands-on experience, but I’m also getting a more comprehensive view of what it takes to manage a coliving space. Once everyone is settled in, I get the chance to focus on broader tasks, like marketing and exploring the financial side of operations. These aspects have provided me with insights that I wouldn’t have been able to get from a classroom setting.
Additionally, every group brings a unique energy and dynamic to the chateau, leading us to organise a variety of events—from murder mystery nights to special “Olympic” games. Witnessing the collaboration and camaraderie among guests during these events has been inspiring and has underscored the power of shared experiences in creating a sense of community.
At this point, I wouldn’t suggest any specific adjustments to the program as I’m continuously learning and finding great value in each aspect of this experience. Overall, the progress I’ve made in understanding coliving management and the insights I’ve gained about teamwork, planning, and adaptability have been incredible, and I’m looking forward to what the remainder of my time here will bring.