Recognising Excellence Award Winners - Aminata Mbaye
Edinburgh College recently hosted the Recognising Excellence Awards, an evening celebrating the hard-work and successes of many of our wonderful students, held at the Granton Campus.
Continuing on from that great event, we are featuring a series of interviews with just some of the winners, finding out how significant it was for them to pick up an award, as well as hearing about their journey through the College. Next up is 33-year-old Aminata Mbaye, originally from Italy, who won the Award for Excellence in PDA Educational Support Assistance.
Hi Aminata! How did it feel to be recognised for all the work you’ve put in to your studies?
“I feel very proud, and grateful. It means a lot to me because I’ve worked hard to achieve my goals, and being recognised this way gives me confidence, and reminds me how far I’ve come since I first started at the College.”
Tell us a bit about your experience at Edinburgh College. What brought you here to begin with?
“I chose Edinburgh College because it offered the support I needed to improve my skills and progress in my education. The welcoming environment, and the variety of courses, made it the perfect place for me to learn and grow. Before I started, I had recently given birth to my second daughter, so I was focusing on my family, but I knew I wanted to improve my English to create better opportunities for myself and my children.”
Are there any moments from your time at the College that really stand out?
“The best bit has been the whole experience! I’ve had amazing support from the staff and my lecturers, they’ve always encouraged me and helped me believe in myself. I’ve also met wonderful people from all different backgrounds, and made lasting friendships. One of my biggest achievements is progressing from an ESOL student, to becoming an Education Support Assistant. This journey has shown me that with perseverance, anything is possible, and I am very proud of what I have achieved for myself and my family.”
Do you have anything you’d like to say to the staff and lecturers who helped you on the way?
“I would like to thank all the lecturers and staff at Edinburgh College for their support, encouragement, and dedication. They have played a huge role in my journey and helped me achieve things that once seemed impossible.”
Finally, what are your plans for the future?
“My immediate goal is to continue developing my career as an Education Support Assistant and gain more experience supporting learners. In the future, I would like to continue learning and growing professionally so that I can make a positive difference in education and help others achieve their goals.”