Our Students & Graduates In Their Words

"What does it look like to pause and truly honor a milestone along the way? This past November, I attended my second Happiness Studies Academy Retreat in Rio de Janeiro. It was a beautiful experience — rich conversations, thoughtful reflection, and time spent with an incredible community. A meaningful highlight for me was receiving my Certificate in Happiness Studies. While our Master’s program officially wrapped in December 2025 and graduation will take place in May 2026, this moment marked an important milestone: I am now a Certified Happiness Trainer. Thank you Tal Ben-Shahar! This journey continues to shape how I show up in my coaching and consulting work - reminding me that sustainable change doesn’t come from pushing harder, but from creating space for awareness, intention, and care. Grateful for the learning, the people, and the quiet reminders along the way."

"When I started studying with the Happiness Studies Academy (HSA) in 2020 — at the height of the pandemic — I didn’t know the path ahead would take this long. The journey stretched over years of change: shifting roles, facing health challenges, and balancing work and life. But I never gave up. Today, I’m deeply proud to have completed this journey and earned the Certificate in Happiness Studies (CiHS) — becoming a Certified Happiness Trainer. Every step on this journey reminded me that happiness is both a science and an art — a practice that can shape lives and inspire change"

"Since I can remember, I have been deeply curious, eager to explore new ideas, emerging trends, and different ways of understanding the world. I enjoy learning, testing, and discovering, whether in fast-evolving technology or in more human-centered fields. Last year, this curiosity led me to Happiness Studies, a discipline that immediately resonated with me. The core message, that happiness is the ultimate currency in the world, reflected what I had long been striving for, both personally and professionally. I decided to embark on this journey, and I am grateful to have completed it as a Certified Happiness Trainer. The past year has been deeply insightful and transformative. Through research-based tools and practical frameworks, I gained a clearer understanding of how I navigate challenges while remaining grounded and genuinely happy. These techniques are now part of my daily life, and they are tools I am committed to sharing with others. I have already had the opportunity to bring this work into Accenture Luxembourg and Belgium as part of our internal wellbeing initiatives, which focus on wellbeing, belonging, and integrity. Recently, I delivered my first workshop in Brussels, introducing the Spiritual dimension of the SPIRE Wellbeing Model, centered on meaning, purpose, and present-moment awareness. This is only the beginning. I look forward to continuing this journey and supporting others in living more fulfilling, purposeful, and happier lives. Happiness is not a destination. It is a journey, and a choice we can make every day."