Today we’d like to introduce you to Zsofia Varhelyi.
Hi Zsofia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started with a passport and a backpack, and it led to a career and life shaped by travel, learning, and new experiences. I was born and raised in Hungary, and after earning my Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, I began a journey that would take me across continents and cultures. I backpacked through the Greek islands, working in the restaurant industry along the way, and then moved to California as an au pair, experiencing life in the U.S. from the inside.
From there, I worked on cruise ships as a corporate trainer, traveling the world and eventually meeting my husband. We later moved to vibrant London and then to South Carolina, where I was responsible for supporting and managing the J-1 visa program. That role led to a short-term contract to take over the entire international program at Sea Island Resort, which brought us to Georgia.
After completing the seasonal hiring, I was offered the opportunity to join the pre-opening HR team at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm. Living in the Middle East was unforgettable — I loved exploring the region and fully experiencing its culture. After a year, I was invited to return to California to support the J-1 visa program once again, where Coast 2 Coast Experience was born. Since then, our journey has taken us to Las Vegas and now to Boca Raton, where we love the energy, diversity, and sunshine.
Everything I’ve experienced around the world is the foundation of Coast 2 Coast Experience. We connect hospitality students and professionals from around the world with meaningful international training opportunities, while helping hotels, resorts, and private country clubs bring a multicultural perspective to their teams. We match candidates globally with placements in the United States, Australia, and Dubai.
Coast 2 Coast Experience partners with elite 4- and 5-star resorts, hotels, and country clubs nationwide. Florida is home to some of our key partners, including Playa Largo Resort, Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, Southernmost Beach Resort, The Marker, and the W Fort Lauderdale, with a long-standing trust in our program to provide talented, globally minded interns. They return year after year because the program adds real value to their teams and enhances the guest experience.
International opportunities can be life-changing—for interns gaining skills and confidence, and for hotels, resorts, and country clubs enhancing their teams with culturally aware, motivated talent. Coast 2 Coast Experience exists to make these global connections possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges was hearing ‘no’ — a lot. People would say, ‘You can’t do that,’ or ‘That won’t work.’ For me, that’s never a stop sign — it’s motivation to prove what’s possible. Actually, building Coast 2 Coast Experience itself wasn’t the hard part. The real challenge was getting to the place in my life where I had the experience, connections, and perspective needed to make it happen. Every ‘no’ along the way became fuel to keep moving forward, and that mindset shaped both my life and the company I built.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Coast 2 Coast Experience connects hospitality students, graduates, and young professionals from around the world with meaningful opportunities at elite 4- and 5-star hotels, resorts, and country clubs. Years of working and traveling across the globe have given the knowledge, insight, and network needed to guide participants toward the right opportunities, help them succeed in hospitality, and support employers in finding the talent they need.
Our main focus is on hospitality programs in the United States, but we also provide placements in Australia, Dubai, cruise ships, and other cultural exchange programs. Every placement is designed to help participants grow professionally, gain confidence, and contribute to teams with diverse skills and perspectives.
Our mission is to create connections that benefit both participants and hospitality organizations. By bringing motivated, globally minded talent into premier properties, we help teams enhance service, enrich the guest experience, and giving young professionals the foundation for successful careers in hospitality.
I’m attaching some pictures I’m really proud of, because they show exactly what this program is about—friendships forming and internationals meeting from all over the world. That’s what we believe in and what we work toward every day.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’ve always drawn inspiration from people rather than any single motivational book or speaker. I enjoy reading Napoleon Hill and listening to Tony Robbins, but what truly inspires me is seeing people in action—how they navigate challenges and build their lives and businesses. Growing up, my dad was a major influence, and watching him create and manage successful businesses shaped my work ethic and drive. I’m also fortunate to have a close circle of entrepreneur-minded friends who constantly challenge themselves to grow and, in turn, inspire me. That environment continues to push me to take on challenges and think bigger every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coast2coastexperience.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coast2coastexperience/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coast2coastexperience/
