Student Spotlight - Denny Pereira
There is not just one route to achieving your dream goals, and we love how varied every student journey at UHI Perth is. Hospitality student, Denny Pereira graduated in October 2023, after returning to education as a mature student. We enjoyed a chat with him about his incredible growth and progression throughout the years, in Brazil and Scotland, and the path that lead him to where he is now.
What course did you study at UHI Perth?
I have recently completed the BA (Hons) in Events Management – and I got there via the HND Professional Cookery as my pathway for the degree. The first two years I studied the HND full-time and then I did a further two years to complete Year 3 and Year 4 of the degree.
What were you doing prior to studying at UHI Perth?
Higher education has always been one of my objectives. Prior to starting back at UHI in 2019, I was grieving the loss of one of my closest friends. Life, in that cold January, had suddenly shaken and somehow stopped making sense. I wasn’t sure anymore of what I really wanted to do and, if, I wanted to do anything. Around the same time, my parents had a health scare and needed me around them, back home in Brazil. Whilst job hunting in Brazil, I realised the weight a degree would have had on my job applications, so I decided to return to studies back in Brazil. However, Brazil did not feel like home anymore, as the level of prejudice and bias towards LGBTQIA+ people is still high. That is when this quote came to my mind: “home is where your heart is” and my heart is in Scotland. Scotland is the place in the world where I feel accepted and celebrated by who I am. From that point, I reached out to my contacts, and they proved me right. The Tabourels in Perth welcomed me back in their restaurant, creating a job that fully supported my educational journey. The estate agency reserved a flat for me just by message on Facebook as they knew me from before. All the stars seemed to have aligned in a space of a week. Then, when I went for the interview for my HND, the 2019 class was already full, but Clive (UHI Perth Lecturer) squeezed me in for that year and the rest is a beautiful story.
This was my fourth time attempting a degree. The first attempt I started at the age of 19 - computer engineering back in Brazil. I was not mature enough, or ready for university. Coupling that with a highly homophobic environment of the engineering "boys club", I quit and moved to Europe.
The second attempt was with UHI Perth in 2013. After completing Level 7 HNC in Business, I moved to Perth to pursue my degree. There were no spaces available on Level 8 (Year 2) but my work experiences allowed me to jump to Level 9 (Year 3). Two factors made me quit: I was not ready to write academically to the requirements of Level 9 and, I tried to keep working full-time whilst studying full-time. Mission not accomplished. Then the third attempt was back home in Brazil in 2019 - I realised, I could do the same in Scotland. So, I moved back to Perth.
Starting from the HNC year was fundamental to my success, as it enabled me to build the foundations needed for Year 3 and Year 4 of the degree.
What advice would you offer anyone thinking about returning to full time education as a mature student?
My advice would be - do it! Enjoy every step. It is not going to be easy: it is a growth journey and growth happens out of the comfort zone. Be happy to be taken out of the comfort zone, and then take a step back to analyse “what can I learn here?” or “how can I enjoy being out of my comfort zone?”.
My second piece of advice would be: count on people around you. PAT, lecturers, librarians, student support, your fellow students, your student’s association, your work, your friends. The support networks are as important as your books. They will make your journey more enjoyable and easier to navigate. “If you don’t ask, you don’t get” – I live by that.
Finally, attend academic writing workshops. I literally went from a 59 mark (first grade in SCQF level 9 in back in 2013 – which demotivated me and led me to quit that year) to average well above 80s in 2022/23. Christabel in the Learning Zone will keep you right and give you all the hints and tips! I always share some hints and tips with my fellow Hospitality students on how to squeeze those extra marks in. So, if you think I can help you, please reach out.
Were there any staff members during your time at UHI Perth that made your time extra special?
I can go on forever with the list here as UHI Perth staff are all phenomenal. I will follow the timeline. Firstly, Clive for giving me opportunity to join the class in 2019. Secondly, Rhona - my first PAT - as she saw something in me when I had stopped believing in myself, which then enabled me to convert my pain back into self-confidence. Then we have the whole team of the hospitality and business studies: Shirley (my PAT from 2nd to 4th year), Gemma (Subject Leader), Ela, Neil, Lorna, Lynn, Ype, Jill, Kathryn, Liz, Katy, Lisa, Maria, Jon, Christabel, Fiona, etc. I will forget some names if I try to write them all.
The UHI Perth Hospitality and Food Studies team with Denny
In general - from lecturers, to support staff, to librarians, the counsellors, the sector development directors, the marketing, the scholarships, ‘the team at the canteen’. I could write another Vote of Thanks here!
Denny and UHI Perth Lecturer, Rhona.
What has been your favourite memory of your time at UHI Perth?
There have been so many, but let’s pick three. First, when my close support network joined me for my Head Chef night with the Ooh Lah Lah concept trial at the Treetops Restaurant, as part of my assessment. It was a celebration of my first year of studies and it felt amazing. Second, being a finalist on The Herald Higher Education Awards – not for being one of the finalists, but to realise the positive social impact I managed to create with my studies. That is when the coin dropped, and I felt grateful for having had that opportunity within UHI. Thirdly, for being selected to deliver the Vote of Thanks during the Class of 2023 ceremony. It was nerve racking trying to represent “all students”, and I don’t think that one person can or will ever be able to do that – so I hope I did justice to the task at hand and managed to represent as many voices as possible.
Denny giving the ‘Student Vote of Thanks’ at Graduation 2023
You mentioned that you gave the ‘Student Vote of Thanks’ at this year’s Graduation and Celebration of Success and Achievement Ceremony. How did you feel when you were asked to do this?
I was ecstatic when I was informed about it. Shirley Simpson (my PAT) has always been extremely supportive of me and one of my biggest cheerleaders. Her energy is contagious, so I was definitely up for it. When it comes to represent “everyone”, I try to be very careful, because, as I put above, those are big shoes to fill. Originally, I wanted to create a video with as many students as possible, saying “thank you” in their own way, then elaborate the videos in a mosaic to be presented on the screen on stage. In my head I had the question “who better represent the students rather than themselves?”. However, I did not have the equipment and skills for video-editing, and I would not have the time to network to recruit partners to execute the project. Then we went to option two. I wrote the speech in one day. It has always been easy for me to say thank you for those who have helped us on our learning journey, and it is something I will always be grateful for.
How did it feel to graduate? Was the day everything you wanted it to be?
It felt great, a celebration of four phenomenal years. What maybe people don’t talk about is the week after. I felt this “emptiness” – no more deadlines, no more books, degree at hand – what to do next? And even though I had been finished with my assessments since April, it was only after the graduation that the “emptiness” feeling kicked in.
Denny and UHI Perth Lecturer, Gemma McKenzie
What are your future career plans? Are you thinking about returning to study?
I want to progress with my education and create the foundations for a senior role managing people and creating a positive impact in lives of as many as possible. I had originally planned to do my Masters in September, however, plans changed, and I am returning to education this January. I am doing my MBA (Executive) Part-time with UHI and also doing a fully funded Project Management module with the University of Aberdeen.
The decision of returning in January was mainly because I was missing intellectual stimulation. Furthermore, UHI Perth and other colleges has suffered loss in funds from the Government, so one of the easiest ways for me to help is to become a student again and bring those tuition fees in. Two ways the books can balance: cut expenses (which will never be popular) or increase revenue. And, as a student, I can impact the latter. And, if we want our educational establishments to thrive and keep creating the massive positive impact in our communities, we have to contribute ourselves. Furthermore, I can do my MBA online, with all costs being covered by the post-graduate loan, and simultaneously with my full-time job, with the fantastic team led by Jill Elder and Sara O’Hagan. What else could I ask for?
And finally, would you recommend UHI Perth to someone thinking about studying here?
Absolutely. And if anyone need contact names, just please send me a message and I will try my best to guide you to the best person to speak to or ask around who that person might be. Anyone considering an educational journey would be surprised with the level of support and quality that UHI Perth has to offer.
