“I’d even say that I owe my new hobbies in Pittsburgh to my interactions with other PULSErs. PULSE simply wouldn’t be PULSE without the people.” – Alex Auyeung
A graduate of Carleton College, Alex Auyeung majored in Cognitive Science concentrating in Educational Studies, and received a Certificate of Advanced Study in Arabic. Alex has devoted himself to Education. He’s taught English at Fenyang Senior Middle School and Jiudu Elementary School in Fenyang, China. He’s worked as a reading tutor with below grade level students in six Title I schools in New York City. Additionally, Alex has extensive teaching experience in Minnesota where he served as a teaching assistant with Carleton College’s Arabic Department and at Greenvale Park Elementary School. Fun fact- Alex speaks in five languages: Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, and English! Alex’s hobbies include practicing Aikido. He is a part of the East End cohort, and is serving with 3E Now.
Shayna Gleason: Tell me something you are learning about yourself through PULSE.
Alex Auyeung: I have a tendency to busy myself and engage with many different interests, but what I’m learning about myself is that I am much happier if I invest in building relationships. I have a tendency to busy myself and engage with many different interests, but what I’m learning about myself is that I am much happier if I invest in building relationships. I have noticed that when I am intentional about my relationships, whether it is making a point to talk with friends and family from home or spending time playing board games with my housemates, I’m just much happier.
Shayna: What surprised you most about Pittsburgh?
Alex: When I first envisioned living on $90 a month, I worried that I’d be spending a lot of time at home with not much to do. However, this year I’m actually involved in so many things. For example, I’m swing dancing, doing improv comedy, and training for a marathon. Pittsburgh is just full of so many things to do and our budget doesn’t have to be a limitation.
Shayna: What is the most interesting/fun adventure you’ve had in Pittsburgh so far?
Alex: One awesome bonus of training for a marathon is that it allows me to explore the city. There was one time when I ran from Garfield to Squirrel Hill – a neighborhood that I didn’t know very well at all – and I just so happened to run into an Aikido school. Aikido was my biggest hobby in college, but something I haven’t really been in touch with in Pittsburgh. I paused my run and went inside the school to talk to the instructor and practice a few techniques. It was such a wonderful and joyful interaction, and it reminded me that Aikido is still a big part of me.
Shayna: What’s your favorite “family meal” recipe for the house?
Alex: Honestly, I don’t think we’ve ever made a meal more than once. As a house, we always love cooking new foods. My favorite part about meals at Graham house is that every dinner is a new experience for us.
Shayna: What is the best part of the PULSE experience?
Alex: I love how all the PULSErs are so amazing, yet so different. I’ve learned so much by talking to them. I’d even say that I owe my new hobbies in Pittsburgh to my interactions with other PULSErs. PULSE simply wouldn’t be PULSE without the people.
Story by PULSE Participant Shayna Gleason.
Read more Participant Stories from Fellows about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: