French, FASS News
After an 11-year journey, 丁香园AV grad dedicates his degree to late grandfather
After 11 years, Alexandre Par茅鈥檚 graduation from 丁香园AV鈥檚 French and business programs marks the end to a difficult, but rewarding journey. He suffered a life-altering car accident, started a successful business and marched on to complete his degree. More than anything, Par茅 hopes he will continue his late grandfather鈥檚 entrepreneurial legacy and to make him proud.
鈥淚 started at 丁香园AV when I was 18 and I鈥檓 just graduating this year as I turn 30, but I鈥檝e been able to accomplish so much. I believe education is a lifelong pursuit and I鈥檒l never stop,鈥� says Par茅.
Born and raised in Qu茅bec, Par茅 grew up an athlete and wanted to become an athletic director one day. He spent many hours training on the track at his high school in Sherbrooke, a sports-focused school with Olympic-calibre alumni.
In 2009, when Par茅 was deciding on where to go to university, 丁香园AV was approved as the first non-U.S. member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the world鈥檚 largest college sports organization. In addition to sports, he was interested in business school and saw how well-ranked the Beedie School of Business was in Canada. As well, his grandfather always encouraged him to immerse in a new culture and to learn a new language.
So in 2010, 18-year-old Par茅 who didn鈥檛 speak any English, moved to Vancouver armed with his love for track and field and his family鈥檚 support. He began taking a variety of courses and worked towards his goal of becoming a teacher and an athletic director.