So passionate and driven, it is surprising to learn that for most of her life, Ji’s career aspirations were “to just clock in and out of a mundane job.” How does someone with such indifference toward a career end up becoming a Practical Nurse and winning Stenberg College’s prestigious Student of the Year award? Let’s start from the beginning.
Nelofar Rahimi, or Nelly as friends know her, was born in Pakistan, the child of Afghan refugees. When she was just five years old, Nelly and her family immigrated to Canada and settled in Burnaby. Recalling the sacrifices her parents made to get her and her three younger siblings to Canada, Nelly tears up. “As a child, I never realized
“The Counselling Therapist program has given me tools I can use for myself. And I have. They are tools I can share with my clients. They’ve helped me learn that my past does not define me. It is part of my story but I am who I choose to become.” Today, Vandhana Plestid is a…
Janelle Hay proves winners never quit. Her can-do attitude is uncommon in someone so young and her determination to achieve is rarer. Janelle’s path to becoming a Cardiology Technologist was not exactly a cakewalk but she overcame hurdles with a can-do attitude. LEARNING TO FLY Janelle’s motivation to achieve and succeed is rooted in her…
Once a “wounded animal”, Melanie came out of hiding after 15 years to become a successful Practical Nurse Melanie Morrison wanted to be a fighter pilot but growing up in a dysfunctional home pushed her life in a different direction. She had to move out at the age of 17, which left a significant hole…
When Sheetal Dhir came to Stenberg College, she was confident she would fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. As an outstanding student in high school, she had volunteer experience working with people and had taken university-level Biology, Statistics, English and Psychology courses to become familiar with post-secondary education. She was ready.
A compassionate and multi-talented woman finds the perfect career in Therapeutic Recreation In 1992, 28-year-old Etsuko Fujita came to Vancouver from Japan alone on a one-year ‘working holiday’ visa. On her first day in the new city, she serendipitously made a very special friend. While in the check-in line at the YMCA, she began talking…
Leaving the Philippines to build a better life in Canada There’s more to Daryl Salvio than meets the eye. Behind her infectious smile and cheery demeanour is a past filled with tremendous struggle. The youngest of seven children, Daryl comes from humble beginnings in the Philippines. Her parents couldn’t afford to pay for their children’s…
Today, Debra Andrew’s life is filled with love, happiness and success but it wasn’t always that way. The daughter of a teenage mom, Debra felt lost in her early years and used defiance as a way of coping with the chaos surrounding her. She grew up in an area of Calgary, Alberta, she calls the…
You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have Have you ever met a person who, despite facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles displays incredible positivity, generosity, and courage as they work to overcome their circumstances? Do you ever wonder how they do it? Temwa Khonje gets asked that question all the time. Not only did…