Making a difference: Ania Stepien
By Rebecca Tossell
(Originally published in The Interpellator (Charles Sturt University), Issue 7, 2007.)
For most 24-year-olds, finding the right job after completing a degree is the main concern. But for actress-turned-TV presenter Ania Stepien, there's been little time to even contemplate the university idea. Instead, the curiosity and excitement of a high school graduate with the world at her fingertips, and the fear of being 'normal' led Ania to choose a road far less travelled by most girls her age.
At just 17, Ania played the lead of Ashley in the ABC sci-fi TV show Cybergirl. It began as something new and exciting, but ended as a life changing experience. Since playing the role, the idea of a normal life was blown out the window and, as adulthood surfaced, Ania knew that normal just wasn't something she wanted. The show was a huge success for the ABC, but her natural ability on camera led to an offer from Totally Wild to be a presenter.
Yet, after a short three months, a panic attack about not experiencing any of the 'normal growing up stuff' led Ania to pack her bags and say bye to the furry animals and TV cameras.
"I think it was at that time that I realised I wanted to go to uni. But something happened and I couldn't settle. I dabbled in a few TV shows and short films for a few years, but nothing was satisfying. So I bought a plane trip overseas and that was it. I left Australia, and I left all my unsettledness behind."
Looking now at the experience-packed résumé of Ania, one would find it hard to believe that any doubts of career or character could arise from such a strong-willed woman. By the time she was 20, Ania had four TV programs, four short films and four theatre performances under her belt. We should probably add that she was a back-up singer for Jimmy Barnes, spent a summer studying acting in New York, and met the Pope as a result of winning a University of KUL International Scholarship. But for Ania, it simply wasn't enough.
"I think I'm addicted to being a gypsy. I like the 'take each day as it comes' approach. I know I never want a normal life, but is a gypsy life any better than a mortgage, and accountant husband and 2.5 kids? I seem to struggle with commitment, whether financial, relationship-based or career-driven. I can't commit to a certain brand of coffee let alone another person, career or even country."
Struggling with her inner conflicts of fulfilment and life values, an adventure through India was what led Ania to find her life passion of giving back to the needy.
"In India, I volunteered in three places: the House of the Dying, and two different orphanages for handicapped children. It was such a physical and emotional rollercoaster. I have no words to describe what I saw – all I can say is that, if you want to see poverty, you have to do it yourself. I realised there that I had instinctual skills I was never taught."
After a year of travelling and volunteering, finding a bed to sleep in and food to eat only in trade of her work, Ania found that there is simply more to life than money and success, and yet a power struggle for what is and isn't important continues in her mind even until this day.
"I don't know where life will lead me. I thought my travels overseas would give me all the answers I needed, but it's just created more questions. At least I realise that life is so fragile, a gift. There are some people that cannot choose their destinies, but I know now that I can choose mine to a certain degree."
Although she has experienced and seen firsthand what the majority of the world do not even imagine, for Ania, her travels have helped develop an idea of what exactly the world is about, and how she plans to attack her aspirations of 'just making a difference.'
"I intend to finish my book by August. I will shoot my showreels, start my orphanage and finish my degree. I will do what I have to do in order to be seen as 'successful,' but deep down I know that success is measured by what is in someone's heart, and how the goodness shines from them. I think it's something that is rarely seen. You know, we live an average of 350, 000 hours in a lifetime – I intend to use mine well."
The Centre
for Volunteering [ABN 28 002 416 024]
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au
www.volunteering.com.au