RAUL MENA-PEREZ A friend to all
Raul Mena-Perez, a Grade 11 boarding student from Spain, says coming to PC was one of the most important decisions of his life. “I’m from a really small place and I wanted to be independent, be in a different country, learn a new language and a new culture,” he says. “The people of Pickering College are very welcoming, they were so nice from the beginning, it really impressed me and is something I really like about the PC community.” He values all the relationships and friendships he has formed throughout his time at Pickering College, especially while living in boarding. As an avid sports fan, particularly of soccer and basketball, Raul is a team player who is a friend to all he meets. “Beside me I have a friend, on the other side, I have my other friend. In the evenings, we can talk, we learn new things. It’s really fun, the mix of cultures, countries, and languages, it’s very diverse and I really like it.” Raul says the boarding program at Pickering College is fantastic and inclusive. “They make you feel comfortable and that’s something PC is really good at, and at the beginning that helped me a lot.”
“The people of Pickering College are very welcoming, they were so nice from the beginning, it really impressed me and is something I really like about the PC community.”
Now as a Proctor, which is a leader in the boarding community, it is Raul’s job to help support the boarding program, curriculum, staff, and to enhance the experience for other students while encouraging positivity and kindness. Working directly with other members of the boarding community, including new students, Raul takes the time to show them around campus ensuring they feel welcomed and comfortable. He plays an important role and exemplifies the leadership traits of integrity, positivity, cooperation and respect, to name a few. Academically speaking, Raul enjoys chemistry and participating in his radio class. “I like the way you can express yourself with radio—telling people the news, talking about it with your partner—it’s not a typical course, it’s really cool,” says Raul. Raul appreciates the relationships he has made with his classmates, teachers, and fellow boarding students who make up his family away from home. “Those relationships are the things I will keep forever,” he explains.
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