Holly Barsoum
Coordinator, International Student Programs
University of Waterloo
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Fell in love with learning about new cultures and diverse people, thanks to my parents.
Began to learn on my own through travel, reading, documentaries, and interacting with others.
Chose a University program with classes related to culture, religion, psychology, and peacebuilding.
Added a Global Engagement Specialization to my undergraduate degree, and did a co-op term abroad.
Continued to learn and travel and grow (forever)!
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Coordinator, International Student Programs
I coordinate social programs to help new international students transition to life in Canada.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Environment & Nature
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
I am constantly doing program assessments and evaluations and making changes to my programs according to my analyis and the input of students and other stakeholders. I interact with student participants via e-mail, social media, and focus groups to hear what they have to say about our programs. I am responsible for coordinating and co-facilitating volunteer training, as well as planning social events for participants throughout each term. I also supervise a part-time student employee each term.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Have a desire to travel and learn about other cultures, and then make it happen. Real-world experience will provide insight and perspective that is difficult to learn in classrooms, and will also make you more understanding of the challenges faced by new international students in a foreign country. If travelling isn't available to you, there are other ways! Volunteering with new immigrants to your country or with English-language learners are both fantastic options.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You can't make a living playing outside."
Challenges I Overcame
Family Trauma
