The Outstanding Volunteer Award goes to - Miriam Auer!

Every semester we recognize a student who has made an extraordinary contribution to student life at MU with the Outstanding Volunteer Award. Miriam Auer, 6th semester BBA in Tourism and Hospitality Management student, took home the proverbial gold (along with an award plaque and €100) for the Fall semester 2012, presented by Prof. Dr. Dagmar Lund-Durlacher, Dean of the Bachelor programs. 

Miriam is a graduate of the Tourism School MODUL, and continued onto higher education at MODUL University. She was one of the first students to become a Student Ambassador, and has made presentations at high schools around Austria informing young people about their study opportunities at MU, as well as at the quarterly Information Evenings for potential students, is a participant in MU'S Buddy program, and organizes events for current students.

We asked Miriam about her thoughts on MU and her plans following her July graduation:

‘’First I would like to announce, that I would like to donate the 100€ to Stiftung Kindertraum, a chairty that fulfills the wishes of disabled and seriously ill children.

Tell us a little bit about yourself – where are you from, what’s your background, and what attracted you to MODUL University?

My name is Miriam Auer, I am 24 years old and was born in Vienna. After I graduated from the Tourism College Modul, I got the opportunity to do an internship in Beijing in the summer of 2008, where I worked in the Austrian House for the Olympic Games. A few weeks later, I moved to Chicago to complete a one-year Internship at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. After this successful year I went back home to try my hand at graphic design - Nevertheless, I was drawn back to my roots, Modul, and the tourism industry. During my fourth semester I went to Melbourne and had an amazing time during my exchange semester. Currently, I am in my 6th semester and working for the Rewe-Company to enhance my chances for a successful professional future, and of course it is great to earn some pocket money ;)

What do you like most about being a Student Ambassador and being active in student life at MU?

Everybody who knows me will tell you that I like to talk a lot! This is probably why the marketing team asked me to support the university as a Student Ambassador. I truly like the atmosphere, the students and the faculty staff at MU, and I also like to present and talk to an audience. I can honestly say that this university was the right choice for me and I am convinced that it was the foundation stone for my successful future. So I find it very easy to talk about my experiences I had at MU! Also, after so many stays abroad, I know how it feels to be in a completely new country and to fend for oneself. This is why I like to support the Buddy program, especially helping students from abroad to have an easy start in their new life. The ‘’MU goes Strudel Baking’’ was my favorite event, as the Student Service Center (SSC) and I arranged the successful activity to help exchange and international students gain an impression of the Austrian patisserie secrets. Pictures!

What advantages do you see through the English-language studies and by working with international students?

In my opinion it is very important that our generation is fluent in English, furthermore, we need it, if we want to work in the tourism sector. So the English language studies and the international environment help greatly to practice English all the time. Moreover you meet people from all over the world you would never have thought you would meet, you get acquainted with each other and exchange different ideas, beliefs, and values. I greatly appreciate this chance and the established contacts can last a lifetime.


You’re graduating at the end of this semester – what are your plans for life after MU? How do you hope your BBA in Tourism and Hospitality Management will help you in your career?

I have an idea what I would like to do after MU. There are two very attractive offers but I still haven’t decided…And YES, I would not study BBA in Tourism and Hospitality Management if I wouldn’t be convinced that it would greatly help my future career! I learned a great deal and I also learned a lot about myself during the studies. MU was definitely the right choice for my future career and for me.''

Student Service Center officer Jesse Alexander, Miriam, Dagmar Lund-Durlacher