Nina Brigou. Cool without a purpose.

“I just really don’t know.” Nina Brigou is dead honest when we ask her about her purpose. We know her as a true VUBer in heart and soul. First as a philosophy student, when she was active in student life. And now for several years as a committed employee full of concrete action. The pandemic has been very frustrating for “people people”. “But in general, I feel very comfortable with the idea of purposelessness.” 

Nina Brigou is a policy officer for PR and communication at the Faculty of Science and Bioengineering. Previously, she worked at the Student Info Point and on the launch of the CANVAS learning platform. She is also the administrative and technical staff representative on the Academic Council.

“Whether I am a critical thinker or not, I don’t know. I do think people think that of me. I just ask questions: Why are we doing this? Why in that way? What do we actually want to achieve? I am 100% sure that I’m a thinker, and I also dare to speak my mind. But a critical one? What is that, critical thinking? I’m also sometimes gullible and I’m happy about that. I just really like to deal with people openly.”

Too much time to think

“I don’t really like to think much. When I’m hanging against a rock, or sliding on a board over snow or waves, I’m very focused. I think of nothing and it clears my head. That’s great. That’s when you get the best insights.”

There’s been none of that during the pandemic. “Far too much time to think. I started questioning everything. I was also single, and we were hardly allowed to meet people. Suddenly my whole universe of activities and people was in question. I was suddenly always alone. A year later, I’m still not used to it.”

Working behind a screen every day isn’t her thing either

“Basically, my job is very people-oriented. Interactive, active, varied. A bit of policy, a bit of dry stuff. But mainly fun communication tasks, working with people from other departments, with students and their organisations. And our brilliant professors, of course. Brilliant in the sense of being mega smart, but also super fun. Suddenly, that was over. I was supposed to follow in the footsteps of my predecessor for a year, but suddenly everything was radically different. The corona shift was a nice mental challenge. We worked really hard, but for me personally, the fun soon ran out.

“I was able to share that experience in the Academic Council. In the beginning, most of the attention went to students and lecturers. That was only logical. But it soon became clear that this corona crisis would be about much more than digital education. Keeping in touch, avoiding isolation. Fortunately, VUB quickly adjusted and did what it could in the circumstances.”

No need for a purpose

“I’ve always been a seeker. Maybe that’s why I started studying philosophy and morality. I don’t really have a plan. I walk through life with an open mind and see where it takes me. People expect you to have a plan, but why? Do you need an end goal? The road to the unknown is also fascinating. When I did seasonal work in winter sports when I was 18, I thought it was for ever. Higher education seemed terrible to me. In retrospect, that turned out to be one of the best periods of my life.

“Purposelessness also doesn’t mean you can’t be committed. It just means that you’re not following a mapped-out path. I started helping out at Maximilian Park and put my name down on coronavirus volunteer lists. For a while, sewing face masks was my purpose. Face masks as a purpose. Write that in your article!

Routine and absurdity of corona 

For free spirits, the pandemic has been a strange period. “If you think about it, as well as being frustrating, it was above all absurd,” she says.

“Take the face masks. The government decides you have to wear them, but there are none in stock. So you all just start sewing. I remember how, with the ‘singles club’, we were overjoyed with this sudden sense of purpose. I made about 70 of them, and was able to donate some to the residential care home around the corner.

“And then that hopeless routine. I’m not much of a planner. In my work, maybe, but not in my private life. Meeting next weekend just happens. But then you suddenly have to reserve a time slot two weeks in advance to go swimming... And the walking. My backpack and I have wandered a lot. But three times a day for half an hour at fixed times? Just to see a human being? It’s all very strange.

“Thanks to the virus, I have got to know a friend from the neighbourhood better. She was in a similar situation. But that extra ‘cuddle’ contact, what an inhuman dilemma. Do you take your best friend who, with two children, hardly has any time? Or do you choose for yourself, and take on another lonely soul?

“Ah, it’s all relative. My grandfather was alone in hospital for three months. My grandmother was only allowed to visit for half an hour. They’ve been inseparable since they were 17.”

Dating during corona

Since Christmas, a new boyfriend has joined the bubble. Starting a relationship during corona has also been quite a strange experience.

“Instead of going on a first date in a bar or restaurant and spending hours in front of the mirror choosing that right dress, I had to put on thermal underwear and walk through the freezing cold in a Michelin Man outfit. Of course, you’re totally unrecognisable with your face mask and hat. Blind dating, the next level. And of course there’s not even a kiss on the cheek.

“And then the second date. Before corona, it was high-level planning in a packed diary. When are you free? Well, tomorrow, and the day after, for a whole month. Forget about playing hard to get,. On date three you make carrot stoemp together and during week three he was helping prune my trees. We are looking forward to finally going out on a proper dinner date after six months.”

The DNA of VUB

Nina tells her story with a smile; it’s all relative. Maybe just being relaxed, and going your own way, is also typical of VUB. “Or it’s just who I am,” she says.

“I think the DNA of VUB is that there is appreciation for critical thinking everywhere. You can always speak your mind, no matter who you are. Student. Professor. Administrative officer. Everyone looks at it from their own point of view, but when it comes to opinions, everyone is equal.”

Unlike Nina, would you like to find a purpose? And is doing your own thing or thinking critically something for you? Then take a look at The World Needs You under Poincaré.