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Keep learning, stay young
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June 3, 2002
Lifelong learning is a principle that Helene Perez began practicing long before it became fashionable. She has credentials as a medical assistant and a court interpreter and worked at both of those jobs for several years before spending the last 14 years assisting people in crisis at an emergency after-hours office run by the ministry of children and families.
During nine of those years, Perez has been working toward a bachelor of arts degree, which she’ll finally receive this month. "With my job, my son, my husband and my house, it did get challenging," concedes Perez, 52. "The bottom line is, it was something I gave to myself, to do this."
Despite being older than most of her fellow students, Perez was never intimidated by their youth. "School has kept me young," says the Coquitlam resident.." Academically I’ve always felt the same as the other students. We were all learning things we didn’t know." In fact, Perez, whose first language is French, did better than most – she will receive a book prize from the French consulate for having the highest grade point average in the graduating class.
Perez doesn’t plan to stop learning now, either. She has already applied to do a master’s degree in French and hopes to eventually teach French at the college or university level.
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(digital photo available)
CONTACT
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323
During nine of those years, Perez has been working toward a bachelor of arts degree, which she’ll finally receive this month. "With my job, my son, my husband and my house, it did get challenging," concedes Perez, 52. "The bottom line is, it was something I gave to myself, to do this."
Despite being older than most of her fellow students, Perez was never intimidated by their youth. "School has kept me young," says the Coquitlam resident.." Academically I’ve always felt the same as the other students. We were all learning things we didn’t know." In fact, Perez, whose first language is French, did better than most – she will receive a book prize from the French consulate for having the highest grade point average in the graduating class.
Perez doesn’t plan to stop learning now, either. She has already applied to do a master’s degree in French and hopes to eventually teach French at the college or university level.
—30—
(digital photo available)
CONTACT
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323