After completing an ESOL course at NESCol, adult learner Sigita returned seven years later to kickstart a career in travel and tourism.

Sigita Jancijuk lives in Aberdeen and has recently celebrated her 40th birthday. She is originally from Lithuania and moved to the UK back in 2009.

Sigita’s first experience at NESCol was on the pre-intermediate ESOL course, which she completed in 2014. Since then, she’s worked mostly as a cleaner as well as being a mum of two.

In 2021, she made the big decision to return to College to study SCQF Level 5 Discover Travel & Tourism.

She said, “After raising my children and working part-time, I decided it was time to do something for myself. I remembered my positive experience studying ESOL, which was such a nice, interesting, and inspiring time.

“I also wanted to improve my English, gain qualifications (as I only had from secondary school when I was younger), and open up better job opportunities.”

Travel & Tourism

Returning to education at 36 was a daunting prospect for Sigita, especially as English wasn’t her first language and she had a family and work to juggle alongside her studies.

She said, “Sometimes it wasn’t easy. At the beginning, my self-confidence was low, and I was worried about my English. We also went through the pandemic and had to study remotely which was challenging for me as my computing skills were limited.”

However, as her skills grew, so did her confidence. After completing her course, she progressed to SCQF Level 6 Travel, Tourism and Aviation, followed by HND Travel & Tourism in 2023.

Sigita said, “I actually enjoyed every day at College, and the opportunity to gain knowledge in travel and tourism and learn new skills. It was also nice to meet new people and learn from different perspectives.

“The courses weren’t only about travel and tourism – we covered many different topics, including employability, history, some IT and much more. This variety made it interesting and helped me grow not only professionally but also personally.

The practical aspect of the courses also really benefited Sigita.

She said, “I especially valued the practical experiences as they pushed me out of my comfort zone, which helped me grow in confidence and develop stronger communication skills.”

Studying at NESCol

Sigita found the teaching and support at NESCol excellent and praised how staff were always willing to answer questions or give advice.

She said, “The lecturers were always approachable and supportive. I felt comfortable asking questions, and they explained things clearly whenever I needed extra help. Their encouragement made me feel confident and motivated to keep improving.

“Their teaching style was very engaging, and they encouraged us to participate. They shared real industry knowledge and examples, which made the lessons more interesting.

“I also received helpful feedback on assignments and access to resources that made studying easier.”

The facilities at NESCol helped Sigita get the most out of her learning experience.

She said, “The library and study areas were excellent, with plenty of resources both online and in print. The common areas, café, and IT access also made it easier to focus on my studies.”

Next steps

Sigita graduated from NESCol on 7 October 2025 at the Music Hall in Aberdeen. She has already had an interview for an ancillary consultant position and also recently had a job offer from a business travel company!

She plans to continue her learning journey and would like to move up the career ladder in the future.

She said, “After gaining experience and learning new skills, I see myself progressing into a higher position.”

Advice for students

From developing her English and digital literacy skills, to growing her confidence and knowledge of the travel industry, Sigita has embraced every learning opportunity at NESCol.

She said, “I would encourage anyone who is unsure if it’s worth it – it is more than worth it! From my experience, you just need to start and push yourself.

“College really helped me to improve my English, gain qualifications, and grow in confidence. Only a few years ago I couldn’t imagine myself using a computer, going to job interviews with confidence, or getting a role in a professional environment.

“I want to encourage everyone, even if you are older, that you can still learn, gain new skills, and start a career. Balancing part-time work, family life, and studies with two children was challenging, but now I can say with confidence: it was all worth it.

“I am more than thankful to my lecturers for all their support — I want to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for everything they have done for me and for all their encouraging words. I will always remember them and speak of them with the highest praise.”

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