'I closed my hair salon to study criminology'

After decades of hairdressing, Daniella Zammit decided to trade in her scissors for a course of study, and last week she graduated with a degree in criminology at the age of 53.

“Five years ago, I didn’t think I would be here today,” Daniella said, recounting the ups and downs of her path. But now that she’s graduated, she couldn’t be happier with her decision to persevere. “The reward is priceless,” she said. “If you don’t try, you will never know how successful you are.”

Daniella discovered an interest in studying when she began taking online holistic therapy courses during the COVID-19 lockdown. She realised that she enjoyed the balance her studies brought to the usual client rush and diary keeping that come with owning a salon.

The online classes unleashed a ‘study vibe’ in her, and she noticed she was having a good time. “I was feeling relaxed, less stressed,” she said. 

When the lockdown ended, the University of Malta’s criminology programme caught her eye, and she felt pulled to continue her studies. At first, she felt hesitant about starting anew at 50, but after thoughtful deliberation, Daniella decided to become a full-time student. 

“I took the leap of faith. I closed my salon.”

As Daniella went from stylist to student, her hair changed too – a bold bright fuchsia replaced her earlier blonde and marked her new identity. 

“It was very difficult for me to explain to my clients,” she said. But she also received a lot of support from clients who encouraged her to give higher education a shot.

“In the beginning, it was a little bit of a shock,” she recalled, describing how young her classmates were. Out of the 55 students in her cohort, she was one of the eldest.

Daniella worried that her lack of IT knowledge would put her at a disadvantage since she had only ever used books, pencils and paper in her prior education. Nonetheless, she cast her fears aside and trusted she would find people who could help her learn.

“I integrated so well with the younger generation because we were mixing my life experience with their incoming experience.”

She saw these intergenerational differences as an asset for students in the lecture room. 

I integrated so well with the younger generation because we were mixing my life experience with their incoming experience.

She could offer perspectives that her younger classmates didn’t have, while her younger peers helped her navigate online assignments and taught her strategies for time management. 

“I felt like I was part of the class even though there was an age difference.”

Daniella’s background in holistic therapy came in handy during exam seasons when she used aromatherapy to help her relax and concentrate. 

One day, she began rubbing some essential oil on her skin to prepare for her exam. When her classmates found out that the scent could help them focus, they started asking her to try out her oil. 

“All of a sudden, people are putting essential oils on their hands, and everybody’s smelling their hands,” she said, smiling. Over time, Daniella became known for her aromatherapy, and classmates would count on her oils before exams. “I will always carry that beautiful memory with me.”

Daniella felt drawn to the areas of her criminology programme focused on social restoration and has now decided to pursue a master’s degree in Trans-Cultural Counselling.

While nothing is set in stone, she envisions herself accompanying younger and middle-aged people through their walk in life in the future.

She hopes that her counselling skills and personal experiences will be able to come together to encourage others in their journeys, especially those searching for a change.

For Daniella, any significant life change requires a careful evaluation, but she wants to offer encouragement to anyone taking a non-traditional education path.  

“If it makes you happy, go for it because it will change your life.”