graduated from universities with degrees in tourism and translation, becoming a teacher in 1990, a job he left in 2004 after being elected to Luxembourg’s parliament. Between 1994 and 2020, he served on the Luxembourg City council, a position he left after joining the European Parliament.

What was your first job and how long did you do this job for?

Teaching French and German to refugee children in special classes. I did that for two years before moving on to the Hotel Management School in Diekirch, where I helped set up a tourism curriculum.

What’s your best and worst memory?

The ability to provide some kind of normality to refugee children and seeing how quickly they were able to integrate in spite of their terrible experiences of fleeing war. (And the good food at the Hotel Management School prepared by the students).

It wasn’t always easy, but I have no bad memories.

What did you learn that helped your career further along the way?

I have learned to listen to young people and take their concerns seriously, something that I have tried to do throughout my political career.

What did you spend your first salary on?

Inviting my parents to a dinner at a fancy restaurant.

Why did you quit?

When I was elected as a member of parliament, I had to give up on teaching.