Aleksandra’s work placement at South East Technological University (SETU) kick-started her career as an assistant manager in a hotel in the south of France.
"Go abroad! I know that people struggle with the language but it’s so important – improving my French helped me so much." SETU Graduate, Aleksandra Wisniewska
Aleksandra Wisniewska, from New Ross, Co Wexford and originally from Poland, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Hospitality Management from SETU.
Speaking about starting her career, Aleksandra said, “Once my exams were finished, I moved to the south of France because I got a position as the restaurant assistant manager in a hotel called Château L'Hospitalet. Near the city of Narbonne.”
Work placement
I previously worked in Château L'Hospitalet as part of my college placement. We have a work placement in third year so I went over for six months originally. Course leader Dr Don O’Neill helped me find the placement. I went back the following year to work over the summer and then after university, I decided to move back again and that’s where I am now.
Learning French
I would say to try to go abroad, especially for your work placement or maybe even for the summer and focus on the language part of it. I know that people struggle with the language but it’s so important – improving my French helped me so much. When I first went to work in France, my French was very basic, but because I worked and lived there, I am fluent in French now.
Get involved in college
I took part in hospitality competitions in college and our lecturers encouraged that. I know it's college and you want to have fun but it’s also fun to do things with SETU as well. They help you and it helps with your CV as well.
Friendships
You make great friends here at SETU and they are friends for life now. I’m so excited to be graduating, I’m proud that I did it – that I’m here after four years and able to graduate with my friends and enjoy it with my family.
