Future Game Changers | Maia Povia

Maia Povia

Some people grow up surrounded by opportunities; others grow up learning how to create them. My name is Maia Povia, a second-year at Hotel Management School Maastricht. 

I come from Martina Franca, a small town in the south of Italy where life teaches you simplicity before ambition. Where you learn to appreciate what you have, even when it is little. Where gratitude becomes a way of seeing the world, not just a feeling. Growing up there shaped me: it grounded me, it made me genuine, and it taught me to stay transparent and kind even when life becomes complex.

Maia's Experience

When I arrived at Hotel Management School Maastricht, I carried this foundation with me. But I quickly realised that HMSM would teach me something my hometown never could: the ability to turn kindness into leadership, gratitude into vision, and simplicity into personal strength. Helping others feels natural to me, not because of position or recognition, but because I believe listening is one of the most powerful forms of care. Whenever students are facing challenges, I feel compelled to be there, to mediate, to support, to make sure no one feels alone.

One of the most important things I developed at HMSM is a deeper confidence, the courage to speak up, to take initiative, and to trust my own ideas. This is a skill I would never have gained without being in such an international, creative environment. I learned to express myself clearly, to share my intuition without fear, and to embrace cultures and perspectives far from my own. HMSM also pushed me to discover something essential about myself: I am not afraid to learn, even when learning requires stepping into vulnerability.

A moment that made this clear was participating in a regional cooking competition back in Italy. Cooking has always been a private passion of mine, something that connected me to my family, to tradition, to emotion. When I decided to compete, I found myself presenting my dish in front of a Michelin-starred chef who served as jury. It was intimidating, but also liberating. I dared to bring my originality to the table, not only through the flavours I created, but through the courage to be completely myself. That experience taught me that originality is not loudness; it is the quiet bravery to show who you are, to create with intention, and to learn from every challenge with humility.

Beyond my academic curriculum, I have consistently taken on projects that allowed me to contribute in a concrete and professional way to both university life and the hospitality industry. In October, for the second year in a row, I was selected to represent the school at the Michelin Star Awards Netherlands 2025, where I worked as an on-stage assistant. This experience, followed by my role as supervisor at the Michelin Gala Dinner later that evening, allowed me to operate in a high-pressure, excellence-driven environment and apply my hospitality training at the highest professional level.

In addition, I was elected to the board of the Academic Council, a role I am particularly proud of, as it allows me to represent students and support constructive dialogue between students and staff on matters that contribute to strengthening the HMSM community.
From September until December, I worked on the 75th anniversary of Hotel Management School Maastricht, where I supported event execution, content creation, and social media communication. Through this project, I contributed to multiple celebrations while documenting key moments as a photographer and content creator, helping shape the visual narrative of the anniversary and enhance student engagement.

In collaboration with Student Services at Zuyd, I also supported initiatives aimed at international students. This included co-creating a ceramic painting night designed to encourage connection and well-being, and I am currently involved in developing international student introduction activities taking place in February, with a strong focus on inclusion and a sense of belonging
 

Maia's Values

The HMSM value “Original” resonates deeply with me. I express myself with honesty, I stand for my ideals, and I listen with genuine presence. I believe leadership begins with authenticity, with staying close to your values even when the world expects you to fit into a certain frame. The hospitality industry, for example, still struggles with stereotypes about appearance. I have tattoos and piercings, and more than once people assumed they didn’t align with professionalism. But originality means proving every day that professionalism comes from behaviour, dedication, and integrity, not from conformity. I want to be part of the generation that changes this narrative.

Maia's Ambitions

Looking at the future, my dream is not tied to a specific title. What I know is that I want to guide others, perhaps through creative and innovative consultancy, helping people find happiness, purpose, and balance. I imagine myself in Japan one day, working in sustainable hospitality, surrounded by nature, respecting traditions, and embracing a culture that values silence, meditation, and politeness. Japan reflects many of the things I admire: intention, respect, gratitude, and harmony.

HMSM helped me grow by giving me confidence, opportunities to be recognised, and a network of people who believe in my potential. It taught me that being kind does not make you naïve; it makes you strong. That being grateful does not limit your ambition; it shapes it. And that positivity is not a personality trait, but an active choice.

Maia's Tips

If I could offer one piece of advice to other students, it would be this:
Be kind to the people around you, be grateful for what you have, and do things with passion. Life becomes softer when you choose to see it with a little light. And sometimes, spreading that light is all it takes to change your path and maybe someone else’s too.

In the end, being a gamechanger doesn’t mean being extraordinary. It means being original and having the courage to let your originality make a difference.