• ISEOTY 2010 - Saskia

► ISEOTY 2010 - Saskia

Winner of the International Student Employee of the Year Award 2010
Saskia Wischnewski studying marine biology at the University of Aberdeen
Working part-time as a hotel receptionist at a Premier Inn

What Saskia said ...

"When I arrived in Aberdeen last September, I belonged to a group of students, who were not able to get any accommodation in the university halls, but were accommodated in a hotel between Aberdeen University and city centre. During this month, which gave us the opportunity to settle down and find a flat by ourselves, we all had a great time and the hotel became our home, but for me it was not all about enjoyment. Next to a flat, I needed a job as soon as possible, since I were under a lot of financial pressure.

I never belonged to the students who got a loan or support from their parents, since my parents aren't able to do so. I had to earn everything by myself, since I chose to go to Aberdeen even though a lot of people advised me to become a governmental supported student back at home in Germany. This would have been an easy option, but since I was already 21 when starting my studies I wanted to specialise on Marine Biology right from the first year, which was not possible in Germany. How happy I was when the Premier Inn, the same hotel we were staying at, which already became my home away from home, offered me a job as receptionist, a position I was already used to working in during my travels through Asia and New Zealand. I was so thankful to receive this opportunity. Me, a German student, whose first language was not English, preferred to any other applicant.

I started at the end of October and I am still working here. I cannot describe how important this job is for me and how much I grew during this year. It became so much more than just a possibility to earn money. The Premier Inn is my home in Aberdeen and I am so thankful to the whole management. I wanted to give them something back in return and this award seemed to be an perfect opportunity. On the other hand it is a very important acknowledgement for myself. Even though everyone told me that I can not successfully combine studies and work, I managed to do so. It was a lot of work to still get involved in University, manage to keep up my grades and work all the time it is left, but I proved them wrong and this is my message to all the future students being confused by even those sceptics.

It is definItely not always the easy way to follow your dreams, but if it is really what you want to do and you are willing to give 100% for it, you can achieve everything and nothing is impossible. At the moment I am looking a little bit sad towards the 20th of August, the day I am leaving my job behind and go on following my dream, since I have the opportunity to represent my University during an International Exchange Year in Canada. But if I come back, I would be glad to start working again at the Aberdeen City Centre Premier Inn."

What Saskia's employer said ...

"Saskia is an absolute credit to her university and for us, and shows us the behaviours that as a company we live by. The best character Saskia has is undoubtedly her attitude to life and our guests and team members. She has a very positive outlook in life and is always interested in other people whether guests or team members. This has without question given her a great advantage in life but more so in reception where she works."