Lison Chaillou: grasping opportunities

Read how she made the most of her degree and time at university with the support of QMUEmpower, to help become her best self.

Influenced by family members who work in hospitality, Lison has always had a natural curiosity about food, entertainment and travel so deciding on a career in the travel and tourism industry seemed the perfect choice.  

Determined to broaden her horizons by studying in the UK, Lison worked as an au pair in London to help improve her English skills before applying and joining QMU in 2021. She was drawn to QMU’s career-focused, International Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management (ITEM) course, which provided her with the ideal blend of both the theory and practice she desired.

After settling into student accommodation in Halls, Lison embraced campus life and enjoyed exploring Edinburgh, especially the city’s renowned attractions and festivals, as well as joining the QMU Volleyball club.  

She engaged to the fullest on the ITHEM degree, often supported by the package of services offered through QMUEmpower including philanthropic scholarships.

Lison welcomed the opportunity for peer-learning and regularly volunteered to work with students in lower year groups to help practise and develop critical ‘soft’ skills like communication, leadership and teamwork. 

Some of her fondest memories of the ITHEM course include guest lectures by leading business experts who shared their experiences, insights and advice.  

During Lison’s second year, she completed a 20-week placement, working as an Event Project Management Intern at Ville de Vannes in France. This enabled her to gain greater industry knowledge and relevant work-experience. She explained its impact on improving her employability skills, crucial for career-readiness:

“The internship was particularly valuable, allowing me to step into the professional world and develop practical skills especially in the area of event logistics, as well as building personal networks.

“I worked on an array of local cultural and public events, and was responsible for accommodation, catering and transport, along with overseeing the backstage areas for artists.”

An experience of a lifetime awaited Lison in third year, and she was overwhelmed that QMU would support her as a European student already studying in Edinburgh to participate in an international semester exchange - giving her the opportunity to study outside of the EU and immerse herself in a completely different country and culture.  Lison’s Hong Kong adventure was achievable after receiving £5,000 from the Lisa Persdotter Simonyi Scholarships Fund. 

She made the most of her time at Hong Kong Baptist University; she learned Mandarin and explored the country through its fusion of cuisines, whilst visiting temples and landmarks, and tackling hiking trails.   

She said: “The Lisa Persdotter Simonyi Scholarship made my exchange to Hong Kong possible, and enabled me to explore Asia, visiting new countries including China, Philippines and Vietnam. The experience has been one of the best of my life, and I know the opportunity will help me stand out from the crowd with future employers.” 

As fourth year approached, Lison was once again incredibly grateful for the support of QMUEmpower by means of a Lord Forte Foundation Scholarship. As Lison did not receive any financial support from SAAS or any other funding body, this £2,500 scholarship proved crucial, relieving some of the financial pressures she faced with day-to-day living costs, allowing her to focus on her studies during her final year. Lison’s hard work and dedication paid off, when she was awarded a First-Class honours degree as well as winning various prizes at graduation including the Dean’s Cup and the Scotsman Hotel Event Management Award, which are bestowed on the highest achieving student of the year. Commenting on her success, Lison said: “These achievements would not have been possible without the financial help and ongoing support from QMU. Your investment has helped me pursue my career dreams and life ambitions.”

After graduating, Lison returned to France to work as a Guest Assistant and Hostess at the Four Seasons Hotel in Megev, before undertaking an MBA at the l’EFAP in Paris. She credits QMU for boosting her confidence and helping her grow important career and life skills such as event management, strategic thinking and teamwork, which has helped her thrive in her postgraduate studies and journey so far. On a more personal note, Lison cherishes the real and lasting friendships she made at QMU.     

When Lison was asked for some words of wisdom as to how QMU students could become their best selves, she concluded: “Embrace every opportunity QMU has to offer. Get involved in projects, join a society, try a new sport, collaborate with people from different cultures, and consider stepping out of your comfort zone with a semester abroad.

“And, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it - QMU offers many services to support you with academic and personal matters throughout student life.”

Lison hasn’t quite decided yet what she wants to do after she completes her MBA, but she is keen to progress her career in the events industry, possibly with an agency specialising in live events such as concerts, or perhaps in the cinema industry where she believes there are many opportunities.

We wish her all the best.