Erich von Däniken. Writer: Contact. Däniken attended a Jesuit boarding school, where his interest in religion also led him to deal with philosophical problems. The high school student was passionate about archaeology and futurology, space travel and molecular biology. After attending school, Däniken trained as a cook and waiter. As such, he initially began working in the hotel industry and in the catering industry in major Swiss cities. His job...