David V. TeenzTalk Peer Leader
1. What are you passionate about?
2. What have you learned from challenges or disappointments?
3. How do you relieve stress?
4. What is happiness?
1.) PASSION: David's passions are research & volunteering. At the University of Maribor, he investigates new renewable energy sources & ways of substituting more economically suitable materials into biogas production. He also enjoys volunteering at elderly homes. In his current volunteer work, he does EKG's on the elderly & communicates the results with physicians. He feels the elderly are more open to working with young people, & he takes pleasure in helping them improve their quality of life - through modifications in their everyday activities.
2.) GROWTH: David was disappointed by his high school experience, facing teachers who lacked motivation to teach. After-school programs or research opportunities were also scarce, so students needed to be self-motivated to find their own projects. He learned not to rely on the school for teaching, but to study subjects on his own, search for growth prospects, & improve himself. "You won't always have a supportive environment... You have to just keep going & remain focused on your goals."
3.) STRESS RELIEVERS:
- swim - time to relax & reflect
- physical activity
- express your creative side through art
- paint landscapes
4.) HAPPINESS: David expresses, "A lot of people are searching for some things which are hard to find in order to achieve happiness. On the contrary, I consider that little things can make us really happy." He enjoys spending time with his family & friends, as well as immersing himself in pleasurable activities.
