My hospitality journey started with my grandma. She was the one of the first people who believed in me and told me to speak my mind. I am Amina Abdiaziz, born in Somalia, living in Sweden but currently studying at Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland.

 

I come from a big family where every Friday was a family get-together at my grandparents' place. Where my grandmother showed me what hospitality is, and I fell in love with it. I was told from a young age that I talked too much and should tone it down. However, my grandmother encouraged me to be myself. She told me to stand up and not listen to the "no"-sayers. Instead, I should listen to myself and follow my dreams.

 

I have experience from working in youth centers and with healthcare in Sweden and also in one of the biggest e-commerce companies in Scandinavia . These opportunities helped me gain skills like looking at things from different perspectives, how to be more understanding, and also dealing with high levels of stress. In addition to that, I had the privilege of meeting her Royal Highness of Sweden, Queen Silvia, and worked on one of the projects her foundation has invested in and supported.