As tomorrow marks the Annual General Meeting of Betapsi, it also marks the end of Valeriya Bonkova as Betapsi President.
Bonkova took hold of Betapsi last summer, after the resignation of John Paul Muscat. On the final day of her Betapsi experience she spoke with The Third Eye about this adventure.
1) How do you feel that this experience in Betapsi is approaching towards its end?
Being just a day away from our AGM, it all feels extremely bittersweet right now. As I look back, I’m nothing but grateful for all the opportunities which this organisation has given me, all the incredible individuals it has introduced me to and all the lifelong lessons it has taught me. I look back at all this with appreciation and excitement for our predecessors, but word can’t explain how much I will miss working and sharing memories with all the incredible individuals within the Betapsi family. Whilst I’ve tried my best to help them learn new things within the field, they have also brought out the best in me. Undoubtedly it has been a joint effort putting all our energy into providing psychology students with as many opportunities as possible. Although it feels like an extremely challenging parting, we’ve been through so much together that I’m sure we will maintain this friendship for a lifetime.
2) Which is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt?
These two years have been a learning experience from day one when I took the first step and got over many of my fears by taking up the opportunity to form part of Betapsi. Despite the differences between the roles of Educational Officer and President, they both taught me one very important lesson in specific; the importance of empowering those around me. Whether by raising awareness on the stigma associated with mental health, making the University experience of psychology students fruitful, or by leading a team by bringing out the best in all their distinct characters, it has all been this one particularly important lesson amongst many others. Betapsi has empowered me from the very beginning, and I will cherish and implement this quality in any other place where I find myself in the future.
3) Will this be the end of your experience in student activism or will we see you taking some new challenges in the near future?
Student activism is something I will always cherish as it has been nothing but a learning experience. I believe that learning is a continuous process, and student activism will always have something new to teach. Primarily, it has taught me to challenge myself and take up new opportunities whilst making the most out of them. As a chapter ends, another begins. I may not know whether the new chapter will take me back to student activism, but whatever it may be, I’m definitely up for the challenge!
4) What is your final message towards your successor in Betapsi?
There’s only one limit, and that is your very own comfort zone. Accept no limits in the road you and your Executive take for this upcoming term, allow no harmful messages to put your effort down and last but definitely not least make it an experience which you will all cherish as a team forever!