Estefania Clavel

Estefania Clavel, ESOL/ HNC Business

Estefania Clavel (38), who is originally from Argentina, emigrated to the UK to improve her English and studied ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at level 5 after she moved to Inverness.  

Estefania moved on to study HNC Business to upgrade the business skills she learned through the marketing degree she completed in her home country. 

Estefania said: “I think HNC Business was the right course because it has given me an overview of the UK business world. Considering that I come from another country and that I have completed my degree in marketing several years ago, it was a good and fruitful experience that has given me the basis to be able to start my professional career in the UK. 

“I felt fully mentored from the beginning of the course, my tutor and lecturers have always been very helpful and supportive. They have closely followed my concerns and my progress throughout the course. 

“I enjoyed my work placement. I developed a strategic marketing plan for a local company, supervised by my lecturer Sinead Brydon, who gave me great support and recognition. This experience was empowering because it helped me to reinforce my passion for marketing and business.” 

Estefania is taking a gap year to visit her family before starting her career in business in 2023. 

“I strongly recommend to anyone who wants to start a career and to progress in the business area to take this course as it will give them the tools to develop professionally,” she said. 

“What I liked most about studying at UHI Inverness was the feeling of being part of a community. I felt very supported by my lecturers and by the institution in general. My favourite thing about living in the Highlands is the people.  

“Developing a sense of belonging to the place where you live, being a foreigner, is key. Apart from living in an amazing place, with a great quality of life, this is an area which is expanding, offering more opportunities to grow professionally. Scotland has opened the doors of knowledge and given me the precious opportunity to grow academically.”