ApplyBoard’s International Alumni of Impact (IAOI) program celebrates remarkable people from around the globe, former international students who had one shared dream: to make a difference. These students studied abroad in Canada, graduated, and are now creating positive changes in their communities.
We’ve already highlighted some of the IAOI winners’ stories in our previous blog, and we’re excited to share even more of their stories today. Read on to learn about four of our winners—Asif, Kajol, Woohyung, and Gurpreet—and their incredible journeys. You might just be inspired to follow in their footsteps and study in Canada yourself.
Read our blog to find the five best reasons to study abroad.
Asif’s Story
Asif’s story begins in Bangladesh. His life’s mission has always been to create a positive impact on society. Asif has a lifelong drive and desire to serve and protect people in a career that upholds justice. His journey began as an international student in Canada, where he completed a Bachelor of Law Enforcement Studies program at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) in New Westminster.
Asif graduated as one of the top students in his class and earned a full scholarship to the University of Cambridge for his master’s research on policing. Upon his return to Canada, he shared his knowledge by lecturing at JIBC, teaching criminology courses at Douglas College and Columbia College, and volunteering with the Vancouver Police Department.
Now, Asif works as a Special Constable with the Vancouver Police Department, and his hands-on approach to learning allows him to serve his community with empathy and compassion. This includes engaging with locals in Vancouver’s low-income Downtown Eastside neighbourhood to understand their experiences firsthand and provide available support.
Outside of his law enforcement work, Asif is deeply committed to improving the lives of underprivileged and orphaned children in Bangladesh. He actively fundraises as vice president of an orphanage in the village of Maria and supports girls’ education in the Natore region. Asif’s unwavering commitment and passion make him a strong and compassionate leader, who is making a positive impact on the world through a diverse range of projects.
Kajol’s Story
Originally an Indian resident of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kajol’s passion for storytelling drove her to pursue a career in journalism. She also recognized the power of diversity and cultural exchange, so she wanted to provide a platform for the voices that often went unheard. With her dream in mind, she decided to become an international student at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary.
Throughout her time at SAIT, Kajol went above and beyond in her studies, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA, while balancing two part-time jobs and volunteer work. Passionate about promoting cultural exchange, Kajol became the vice president and founding member of the South Asian Students’ Society (SASS).
After she studied abroad in Canada and graduated with a diploma in Journalism, Kajol’s expertise led her to a career as a marketing and communications specialist, where she fosters professional relationships between Canada and other countries like Germany, the United States, and India. Additionally, Kajol dedicates herself to supporting and mentoring international students by staying involved with the SAIT community.
She has also volunteered as a guest speaker, for which she received praise from Calgary’s current Mayor, Jyoti Gondek. As a panelist for the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) Western Regional Conference in 2021, Kajol advocated for inclusive internationalization in higher education, which led to her nomination to the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Youth Advisory Group.
Kajol’s exceptional achievements and commitment to diversity make her a shining example for future international students. Her efforts have left a lasting impact on the SAIT community and the rest of the world.
Read our article, written by a former international student, for a list of important things to know before studying abroad.
Woohyung’s Story
With a story that begins in South Korea, Woohyung (Roy) Cho always had a passion for culinary arts, first gaining experience in the South Korean food industry. He then decided to change direction and aim for the stars, making the life-changing decision to study abroad in Canada. He enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Vancouver Community College, sat in the front row in all of his classes, and embraced every opportunity to learn from and network with his peers and instructors.
Roy’s perseverance paid off, despite graduating during the pandemic, which was a particularly tough time for the restaurant industry. After graduation, he secured a job at Aritzia’s headquarters, providing catered dining to employees during their office hours. His career soared when he joined the acclaimed restaurant, Published on Main, which earned a prestigious Michelin star in 2022. Now, Roy works as a sous chef at Autostrada Osteria, a renowned Italian restaurant in downtown Vancouver, where he continues to go above and beyond, impressing all with his culinary skills.
Roy’s compassion extends beyond the kitchen, as he actively participates in pop-up kitchen and volunteer initiatives which provide food to vulnerable local communities.
Additionally, Roy is embarking on an entrepreneurial project, where he plans to introduce a unique twist on some of his favourite South Korean condiments. Roy’s achievements and compassion exemplify how international education can become a tool to change the world for the better.
Gurpreet’s Story
Gurpreet’s journey from India to Canada left a lasting mark on the world. His commitment to education led him to Sudbury, Canada, where he studied Civil Engineering Technology at Cambrian College. Upon arriving, he faced feelings of loneliness and isolation while overcoming language barriers and cultural differences. But Gurpreet didn’t give up—he embraced his new home and became an advocate for cultural diversity and inclusion.
During his time at Cambrian College, Gurpreet volunteered with the college’s International Team. After graduating, he established the Sarbat Da Bhala Bursary to provide support to second-year international students, which includes meeting personally with them to offer support. But Gurpreet’s commitment to diversity doesn’t end there. He also played an essential role in improving services and programs for immigrant populations as part of the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario’s Youth Advisory Committee Board, and founded the Sudbury Bhangra Club to share his love for Punjabi culture.
Currently, Gurpreet is the Vice Chair of the Greater Sudbury Police Services Chief’s Diversity Advisory Committee and a director with the India Canada Association of Sudbury. He continues to provide invaluable guidance on multiculturalism, and promoting Indian culture and heritage through educational workshops and celebrations. Gurpreet’s story is inspiring, illuminating the power of dedication and international education.
Find out five ways to balance your budget while studying abroad on our blog.
They Studied Abroad in Canada, and You Could Next
As we continue to celebrate these amazing alumni, 10 one-time International Alumni of Impact scholarships will be created in honour of this year’s winners and will be awarded to future international students. This way, their inspiring stories can help future international students to follow in their footsteps—or blaze a new trail.
Stay tuned for blogs featuring the rest of the IAOI winners who studied abroad in Canada, as well as more scholarship details, later this year.
Inspired? Read (and share) all 10 of the winners’ stories on our website.
