VUB Alumna Jo-Ann Monsels combines optimism and enthusiasm to make the world a better place

“Life sometimes requires you to take the leap and see what happens next”   

After her studies at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Jo-Ann ventured on a trip to Brussels to get a Master’s degree in Sociology at VUB (in Dutch). Upon her return to Paramaribo, she started working as an independent consultant. She is now employed full-time as a lecturer and thesis coordinator at the FHR school of Higher Education in Suriname. 

Apart from that, she recently published her first children’s book ‘Opa wat is kokos’, which was an instant success. The story takes place in Coronia, an agricultural community - also known as the coconut district - and teaches children to process information within the school system. This makes it easier to learn and remain interested.  

Her own story also reads like a novel. Not always a happy one, but she is the first to draw a smile on everyone’s face when she starts telling it.  

‘You need to be optimistic. You don’t have another option. Most certainly not in a country like Suriname, but it actually helps in other difficult situations too.’  

‘My first day in Brussels, I walked through the city without shoes on. Slightly confused I had dropped them, together with my luggage, in a car that was supposed to take everything to our hostel. The car left without me, so I had no other option than to walk there barefoot. From the first day in Brussels my down-to-earth nature was put to a European test.’ 

Dreams and reality 

This lucidity and casualness in handling things is something that will remain intact for the remainder of the conversation.  

‘Of course, I had and I still have my dreams. When I was a little girl, I wanted to become a doctor. My teachers back in Paramaribo supported me, but apart from the money issue, there were other more pragmatic reasons, which restricted my opportunities right from the start. It is what it is. I can spend a lifetime regretting that I did not make it into the medical profession, or I can move on. I choose to do the latter.’  

‘My choice for VUB was influenced by language and the fact that we had family in the region. But apart from that, I never really regretted choosing VUB as a university to get my Master’s degree. I am a firm believer in taking responsibility into your own hands. You climb the cliff, and then you jump, otherwise it’s a useless exercise. Stepping out of my comfort zone is a part of my life choices. Don’t settle for the status quo, take the road less travelled, because you never know what will happen, not in the least to yourself, as a person.’ 

(picture: Jo-Ann helps building a school in Sierra Leone, together with other VUB-students and VZW Edukado)

Critical thinking 

The much acclaimed and discussed critical attitude at VUB is a reality to her. It helped her to figure out what to do in life, how to handle situations. The sober, almost matter-of-factly observations are countered with humor and deeper insights.  

‘Of course we are victims of racism, in a city like Brussels. It’s difficult to rent apartments, by the nature of your skin colour! And I can count myself lucky, because of my name, and my command of the languages, but not speaking French in Brussels proved to be a real handicap. You deal with it, you get angry, and frustrated, and the only thing that remains is your resolve to make the world a slightly better place. I do that in my work, through my engagement in society and by constantly questioning situations, and trying to improve them.’ 

VUB Alumni  

Jo-Ann is full of ideas and initiatives. And she wants to keep a strong relationship with Brussels and her Alma Mater. Living in a developing country doesn’t make things easier.  

Which leads to her conviction that it’s both useful and more engaging to rally VUB alumni around a specific project. That’s how she started thinking about a children’s university, together with some of her friends. Rather than worrying about funding and financial implications, she wants to start up the whole thing just to see how far she can stretch it. Funding will follow, if it proves to be a valuable idea.  

‘Apart from meeting other people via the alumni activities, I want to make a difference. I sincerely think that we have a responsibility in this world. To share our experiences, to grow our knowledge and develop initiatives and ideas to develop sustainable growth. We didn’t go to university just to earn more money (and trust me, I’m serious about earning money and have a decent life!), but also to put our whole personality and what we know in the balance. That is a recurring theme in my blog, that I gladly share with all of you.  I hope my writings can inspire you to take a good look at this world we all live in... and make the best of it.’ 

Jo-Ann’s tips and tricks 

‘Get interested in the languages. VUB and, by extension, Brussels is a real microcosmos, you will meet people from all parts of the world. Learn to enjoy it.’  

‘VUB or Brussels, for that matter, forces you to come out of your comfort zone, that is valuable in itself…  The campus has great infrastructure for any activity, but you need to do it, rather than wait for things to happen.’  

‘Last but not least, because it was very important to me, the ability and the ease with which you can find a student job, through the VUB network is astonishing. I needed to work during my studies, and VUB made that really easy for me.’  

A day in the life of Jo-Ann

'Well, first of all there’s no typical day, because there are always unexpected moments. I teach and I work at the school, but besides that, there is the work with the children’s book and my engagement towards children and the Suriname society.   

Our situation is a lot more difficult than you can imagine. Last year I was asked to write some stories that would be used in schools, but then I got the news that the project was on hold for budgetary reasons. That doesn’t mean that your work is useless, it just means that it’s postponed. You then have two options. You can sit and watch and hope for a solution, or you can actively pursue opportunities. I do the latter.  

You need to have an optimistic take on life otherwise all the setbacks will have a very negative influence on you. I will never allow that to happen. It’s that mentality that accounts for change, and progress, which we so badly need. I am convinced that my writing and my initiatives around the children’s university will make a difference.' 

Want to study a Master of Science in Sociology, just like Jo-Ann? Discover the study program (in Dutch). Want to know more about Jo-Ann? Connect on LinkedIn.