There’s something beautifully humbling and honestly, magical about choosing to be a student again. It’s like telling life, “I’m not done learning, growing, or chasing dreams.” That’s exactly what Elaiza and I felt when we walked into Asian Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Academy, Inc. (ASDEAI) to start our training in Food and Beverage Services NCII.
This is not just a blog. It’s a love letter to learning, partnership, and the courage to reinvent yourself.
Let me take you back to where it all began.
✨ A Simple Decision That Changed Everything
One quiet afternoon, over coffee and laughter, Elaiza and I found ourselves dreaming aloud. We talked about new skills we wanted to learn not just for jobs, but for life. Food and beverage service came up naturally. Hospitality runs in the veins of every Filipino, after all. We imagined ourselves hosting events, managing our own café, or simply knowing how to serve others with grace and professionalism.
So we asked: Why not us? Why not now?
When we found out that ASDEAI offered an accredited program in Food and Beverage Services NCII, our hearts said yes instantly.
🎓 First Day Feels: Butterflies and Brave Hearts
Walking into ASDEAI as students, again, was surreal. We weren’t the youngest in the room. We had jobs, responsibilities, a home to run. But we also had something precious: a deep willingness to grow.
I remember looking at Elaiza on our first day. Her eyes full of excitement and a little nervous energy and I knew: this was going to be special.
For 3 months, we studied, learned, and grew together. We weren’t just earning a certification; we were becoming students of life again, side by side. And by 2024, we were proud graduates, ready to take on the world of food and beverage services.
💡 What We Learned Beyond the Modules
Yes, we studied table setting, service etiquette, menu knowledge, customer care, and all the technical skills you’d expect in a world-class F&B course. But we learned more than that.
Things no module could capture:
1. Learning Has No Deadline
You’re never too old, too busy, or too “established” to learn something new. Going back to school reminded us how freeing it is to be a beginner again.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
2. Humility is the Secret Ingredient
It wasn’t always easy. Some days we fumbled. Other days we felt out of place. But showing up with humility made every moment meaningful. We weren’t there to prove, we were there to grow.
3. Supporting Each Other is Everything
Some days, Elaiza reminded me to stay patient. Other times, I helped her revise. We leaned on each other. Learned from each other. Studying together deepened our bond in ways we never expected.
4. Service is a Superpower
Food and Beverage Service is more than serving food. It’s about grace under pressure. It’s about reading people, anticipating needs, and delivering joy in small, beautiful ways. These are skills for life, not just for work.
🌟 Advice to Anyone Thinking of Studying Again
-
Don’t wait for perfect timing. Start where you are with what you have.
-
Find someone to walk the journey with. Whether it’s a friend, partner, or even an online community, support makes all the difference.
-
Be kind to yourself. Learning something new can be challenging. Celebrate progress, not perfection.
-
Embrace the awkward stage. Every expert was once a beginner. Allow yourself to be in that messy, magical middle.
❤️ A Shared Dream, A Shared Diploma
One of the most unforgettable moments was when we completed the course and looked at each other, diploma in hand. It wasn’t just a certificate. It was a milestone in our journey together.
We didn’t just earn a credential.
We earned confidence.
We earned clarity.
We earned a new chapter.
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey
🥂 To Anyone Reading This…
If you’ve been thinking of starting over, going back to school, or learning a new skill, this is your sign. Whether it’s for career, passion, or personal growth, don’t be afraid to be a student again.
Like us, you may just discover new strengths, build deeper bonds, and unlock possibilities you never saw coming.
So here’s to learning.
To courage.
To partnership.
To making dreams real, one lesson at a time.
And to ASDEAI, thank you for giving us more than education. Thank you for giving us a memory we’ll carry forever. ❤️
Comments
Post a Comment