The time has come to celebrate the final group of winners from this year’s International Alumni of Impact (IAOI) program! This program honours extraordinary international graduates who share one common goal: to drive positive change in the world. Initially, Chetanya, Christine, and Anjo were international students who pursued their education in Canada. Now, they’re fostering positive transformations within their local communities.
Want to learn more about our other winners? Check out our first and second blogs where we highlight their stories.
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Chetanya’s Story
Chetanya Sharma’s remarkable journey from Ambala, India, to the University of Ottawa in Ontario led him to graduate with a Bachelor’s in Finance in 2021. He participated in his program’s co-op experiences, working at places like Service Canada and Shared Services Canada.
As a result of his own journey, he wanted to help other international students and did so by becoming an international mentor. In the course of this work, he was inspired to do something bigger. This led him to found the South Asian Cultural Society Club at uOttawa. This club established a diverse and supportive space for students to bridge South Asian and North American cultures. His leadership then led him to be elected as the President of the uOttawa International Student Association.
Inspired by his passion for supporting newcomers, Chetanya wanted to do something even bigger and launched his own company: My Personal Mentor. The company’s goal was to offer guidance to international students seeking quality job opportunities. His company became a huge success, and he gained over 115,000 social media followers. Today, alongside his company, Chetanya continues to work as a Human Resources Admin Officer for the Government of Canada. His efforts exemplify hard work and dedication toward the greater goal of giving back to his community, leading to his achievement of the International Alumni of Impact award.
Christine’s Story
Christine (Qin) Yang’s story begins in Fujian, China, where she made the life-changing decision to study Business Administration in Canada. Studying at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Christine graduated with a bachelor’s degree and then continued her higher education journey at Dalhousie University, graduating in 2023.
Christine’s dream wasn’t only to receive a quality education. It was to truly make a difference, and empower other people in her community. During the peak of COVID-19 in 2020, Christine rose up to the occasion to battle against Asian hate crimes. Driven by her passion for justice and equality, she proclaimed the month of May as Asian Heritage Month. Her courageous efforts towards the rights of the Asian community in Canada counted. She ensured that their voices were heard during a time of injustice.
Christine has also taken on a number of professional roles, serving as a board member for Mount Saint Vincent University, the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), as well as the Canadian International Council. Currently, she holds the role of Market Development Manager at the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. There, she works toward strengthening the province’s market presence. She remains dedicated to advocating for international students and newcomers through her participation in the Halifax Partnership Connector program as well as mentoring international students through EduNova’s Study and Stay program. Her inspiring story has left an unforgettable impact on her community as well as the rest of the world, earning her the International Alumni of Impact award.
Find out four careers that are in high demand with rewarding job opportunities on our blog.
Anjo’s Story
Born in the Philippines, Anjo Colago came to British Columbia, Canada as an international student. He had a dream to create change that would make a lasting impact. In 2021, he graduated from Coast Mountain College’s Terrace campus with a postgraduate diploma in Business.
Ajo was one of the first international students from the Philippines at Coast Mountain College. He turned this into his superpower by sharing his story with his peers while volunteering with CMC’s Student Ambassador Program. After graduation, he joined the Terrace Filipino Community Association. There, he fostered connections with a diverse group of international students, extending his support to those on similar paths.
After graduating, Anjo served as the Campus Housing Coordinator at Coast Mountain College, where he worked to enhance the student experience on campus. Anjo’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity inspired him to create a Gender-Fluid Room on campus, as well as rainbow and orange crosswalks, symbolically supporting the LGBTQ community and the Every Child Matters initiative, respectively. Currently, he serves as a Food Services and Special Events Coordinator, and volunteers with a local food bank dedicated to finding strategies to alleviate food insecurity in British Columbia. Anjo’s compassion and inclusive nature have left a lasting mark at CMC and in his community, serving as an inspiration to all.
2023 International Alumni Of Impact Scholarships
In honour of the remarkable achievements of our winners, ApplyBoard is creating exclusive C$1,000 scholarships. One will be issued in the name of each International Alumni of Impact and offered to one incoming international student at each of the 10 Canadian institutions the 2023 IAOI winners graduated from. These scholarships empower future international students like you to become our next global leaders, able to make your own unique mark on your community.
In November 2023, these scholarships will be awarded to international students who have been accepted to select institutions through the ApplyBoard Platform.
Do you know another international student graduate who studied in Canada and has gone on to great things? (It can be you!) If so, sign up to be notified when the IAOI 2024 nominations open.
Join our exclusive webinar on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time to hear our very own International Alumni of Impact winners talk about their experiences in Canada as international students!
As we celebrate these individuals who have made positive changes in their communities, we hope that these stories have inspired you to do the same in your own way.
Inspired? Read (and share) all 10 of the winners’ stories on our website.
