Minds We Meet—Pénélope


Who are your fellow students?  It can feel like you are all alone in your studies, but across the nation, around the globe, students like you are also pursuing their AU education, and The Voice Magazine wants to bring their stories to you.  If you would like to be featured next, do not hesitate to get in touch!

The Voice Magazine recently had the chance to chat with Pénélope (she/her), who is currently living “in a little town close to Thessaloniki in Greece.”  She stated, “I’m from Montreal, Quebec.  I left not a long time ago because I can’t live in a cold country.”

Pénélope is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology here at AU.  Although she admits that she is not great at making future plans, she is thinking of pursuing a Master’s degree, or perhaps a PhD, although she “still [has] a lot of time to think about it.”  She explained, “I don’t know where I’m gonna be at the end of my [degree] but that’s the beauty of the journey.”

When she is not studying, Pénélope enjoys taking photos and taking long walks, explaining that she enjoys finding new places in different cities.  She also enjoys biking and watching sunsets.  She continued, “I love being in nature and disconnecting.” She is currently “reading Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr.  Joe Dispenza.  It’s really interesting and useful.  If you want to manifest something in your life you should read that book to understand the process.”

She is pleased with her online learning experience so far.  She explained, “I always hated school but with this kind of learning I don’t even feel like I’m going to school.  It’s like reading interesting and expensive books but having to focus more.  The only thing hard is to stay motivated.  Distraction is everywhere so it’s a lot of self-talk.  But it’s for the better.”

When asked if she has ever wavered about continuing her schooling, Pénélope replied in the affirmative.  “I never wanted to continue school after high school.  I never believed in the fact that I could have a higher education.  But some people believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.”

She finds communications with her course tutors, “not bad.”  She explained that she has only spoken to one, however, the tutor did answer her question sufficiently.  “Even more than [she] thought.”

If she were the new president of AU, Pénélope’s first project would be “Making sure everyone can have financial aid, no matter what.  Education isn’t free but you need it to make money.”

And her pet peeve?  “My pet peeve is not to know what my pet peeve[s] are.”

When asked which famous person, past or present, she would like to have lunch with, and why, Pénélope stated, “It can sound crazy but it would be with a serial killer.  Probably Ted Bundy.  I just don’t understand.  I want to know what they are thinking.” And the lunch?  “Choosing only one is too hard.  I would want some tapas, having different choices.”

And the most valuable lesson she has learned in life?  “Life goes on.  With you or without you.”  And the proudest moment in her life?  “When I finally wake up and realize that I’m the only one who can make change in my life.”

When asked what distinguishes her from other people, Pénélope thoughtfully answered, “I don’t like this question.  No matter what I’m gonna say I know that there’s a lot of people who think or act like me.”

As a final thought, when asked if there was anything she would like to add about the student experience, she stated, “It’s not too late.”  Best of luck Pénélope!