Daniela Ziller: I still can hardly believe what I experienced in Kazan. The thought of the competition makes me very emotional. I like to think back - probably also because I know that this time was unique and I will never experience anything similar again.

You did a brilliant performance in Kazan. What challenges did you face?

We only received the exact task at the beginning of the competition. There were six disciplines. One of them was speed. Under time pressure, a measurement plan had to be transferred to a wall with adhesive tape and painted with self-mixed colors in a detailed manner. Each work had to be organized and realized by the participants themselves. For this I had to work highly concentrated.

How did your participation come about?

It was a defeat that brought me to the World Skills. After my application for the vocational baccalaureate in art and design was rejected, I was very disappointed. I did not have a plan B. But when I discovered the Swiss Skills application form, which had been on my desk for a while, I took heart and registered for the competition. After winning the Swiss Skills, it was clear to me that I would travel to Kazan. I wanted to seize this chance.

There is a lot of work behind your brilliant result. How did you prepare yourself?

I had to sacrifice a lot of free time. Thanks to my boss, I was able to reduce my workload to 50%. I only had one day off per week. The other days I worked or trained. The result: 600 hours of sweat and tears. In order to simulate the competition situation, I already took part in competitions in Liechtenstein and Germany during the preparation phase. The Swiss Association of Painters and Plasterers (SMGV) supported me very much and provided me with Viola Stillhard Krasniqi as an expert. I think it's great that the association is so committed to its young talent.

Were there any joint preparations for the participants from Switzerland?

In addition to professional training, the Swiss delegation gave us the opportunity to do sports, media and mental training as part of team weekends. The other participants have grown very close to my heart. Together, we got through highs and lows. We supported each other when motivation was lacking and celebrated successes together. This solidarity was priceless for me. The mental training was also very helpful for me. Silvia Blaser, our mental trainer, made me challenge myself, believe in myself and think positively. Without this attitude I would not have been able to master the competition.

In Kazan you met people from different countries. Were there special experiences?

In Kazan all participants lived in an international village. Early in the morning I met participants from Brazil, Russia or Oman. Such encounters were incredibly exciting. It was amazing for me that the participants proceeded quite differently during the competition in order to solve the same tasks. What looked chaotic at the beginning could lead to a very good result.

After your return to Switzerland, you immediately started with the vocational baccalaureate and are now back in school. What's on the agenda afterwards?

Basically I'm open to everything. But my wish is that I can pursue a profession that inspires me every day. Painting is my great passion. That's why I can very well imagine returning to my profession.