Following Her Own Path: How Siobhan Gyzemyter Turned Curiosity into a Life of Adventure

For many graduates, the years after school are defined by study, career choices and figuring out what comes next. For St Benedict’s College foundation student Siobhan Gyzemyter (Class of 2017), the journey has been anything but traditional. From travelling across Europe and working in hospitality roles in multiple countries to launching her own photography business, Siobhan has embraced every opportunity with an open mind and a willingness to step beyond her comfort zone. Her story is a powerful reminder that success looks different for everyone, and that sometimes the most rewarding path is the one you create for yourself.

Siobhan graduated from St Benedict’s College in 2017 as part of the College’s foundation cohort.  Reflecting on her time at St Benedict’s, Siobhan credits her teachers and the strong pastoral care culture for helping her navigate challenges and develop resilience.

“St Benedict’s College taught me resilience,” she said. “I found my high school experience academically challenging; however, I attribute my success and resilience to my incredible teachers.”

She fondly remembers teachers including Paula Mary, Michael White, Amanda Spooner, Chris Carlill and Cheryl Bell, recognising the impact they made while helping establish a brand-new school community.

After graduating, Siobhan initially followed what she believed was the expected path, enrolling in university and beginning a Bachelor of Design at Griffith University. However, halfway through her second semester, she realised she wasn’t ready for tertiary study and decided instead to travel.

That decision marked the start of a journey of self-discovery. Over the following years, Siobhan travelled extensively, worked overseas and later returned to Australia where she balanced essential service jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic while attempting university study for a second time.

Although she later enrolled in a Bachelor of Communications and explored personal studies in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), she ultimately chose to leave university again.

Looking back, Siobhan says that decision helped her realise an important truth.

“The original decision to apply for university came from the pressure of external expectations to succeed,” she explained. “Over time, I have learned that success doesn’t mean a university degree. And it certainly doesn’t come from doing what others want you to do. For me, my success comes from my heart and following my passions.”

In November 2023, Siobhan booked a one-way ticket to Europe and hasn’t returned to Australia since.

Over the past few years, she has built a career in the hospitality industry, working across Austria, Spain, France and Ireland. Her journey has taken her from cafés and bars to restaurants, hotels, private chalets, luxury barges and yachts, where she now works with small groups of international guests.

Each country has presented unique challenges, from language barriers and cultural differences to adapting to new workplaces and ways of life. However, Siobhan sees every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.

“These experiences have taken me places I never could have imagined,” she said.

Along the way, she has visited more than 13 countries and embraced a lifestyle that balances meaningful work with opportunities to travel, explore and connect with people from around the world.

While building her hospitality career, Siobhan also transformed a lifelong passion into a thriving business.

In 2024, she officially launched her freelance photography business, combining her love of creativity, storytelling and travel. Through the connections she has built across Europe, she has worked with brands and businesses in France, Bulgaria, Ireland and Spain and has been commissioned for engagements, weddings, lifestyle shoots and travel photography projects.

Photography has been part of Siobhan’s life from a young age.

“I’ve had a camera in my hand since my mother gave me a Kodak for school camp,” she shared.

Today, her business not only allows her creative freedom but has also taught her the value of self-belief, self-motivation and trusting her own abilities.

Alongside her commercial work, Siobhan continues to document her travels and experiences, regularly pitching her portfolio to potential clients across Europe while working towards her long-term goal of exhibiting her work in a gallery.

For Siobhan, inspiration rarely comes from a classroom or a textbook. Instead, it comes from the people she meets and the experiences she embraces.

A self-described hands-on learner, she has always been drawn to psychology, art, travel and meaningful conversations. She believes personal growth happens when people challenge themselves and step into unfamiliar situations.

“Every conversation I have with strangers motivates me and inspires me to seek discomfort,” she said. “Through discomfort comes growth and a new understanding of how the world works.”

That mindset has guided many of her life decisions and continues to influence both her work and personal journey.

While launching her business is one of her proudest achievements, another experience holds special significance.

In May 2025, Siobhan completed the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, walking 115 kilometres across Spain.

The journey tested her physically and mentally, with four consecutive days of rain challenging her determination along the way. For Siobhan, however, the pilgrimage became a symbol of perseverance, resilience and self-trust.

“It represented my hardships and learning to overcome them,” she reflected. “Learning to trust myself and challenge myself physically and mentally.”

The experience reinforced the values that have shaped much of her life since leaving school: courage, persistence and a deep appreciation for the journey.

Today, Siobhan is based on a private hotel barge in Burgundy, France, where she works as part of a small team hosting guests from around the world as they explore the region’s famous vineyards.

Alongside her hospitality role, she continues developing her photography business, pitching her work to French clients and planning personal creative projects.

When she is not working, she spends her time running through the French countryside, visiting local wineries and châteaux, and expanding her knowledge of the region’s rich culture, food and wine traditions.

With her sights set on future gallery exhibitions and continued growth in both her professional and creative pursuits, Siobhan remains focused on making the most of every opportunity that comes her way.

Siobhan encourages current St Benedict’s students to remain curious, embrace new experiences and never stop learning.

“Try new things all of the time. Expand on your hobbies — it's never too late to try something new,” she said. “Talk to as many people as you can and never be the smartest person in the room. There is always something to learn.”

She also reminds students that there is no single definition of success.

“You have time to figure it all out. And truthfully, no one has it all figured out anyway,” she said. “University is a great tool, but there are many different pathways to choose from. A lot of your opportunities will come from simply saying ‘yes’ and giving it a go.”

Living by the Irish saying, “What’s for you won’t pass you,” Siobhan believes that what is meant for you will find its way into your life—and that rejection is often just redirection.

Her journey is proof that sometimes the most extraordinary opportunities begin with the courage to follow your own path.