同城约炮

Three years ago, Lei Gong left behind a secure career in China for the uncertainty of being an international student in Canada. Although the decision to make the move was difficult, the reason was simple: to provide a balanced lifestyle for his daughter.

鈥淚n China, in elementary school, in junior high school, there鈥檚 so much competition,鈥� says Lei, explaining the pressure his 10-year-old daughter felt. The 12-hour days at school were followed by hours of homework every night. 鈥淪he cried a lot of times. We wanted to give her a better life.鈥�

So Lei and his daughter came to Nova Scotia. His wife followed a year later. They chose Halifax for its reputation as a kind and welcoming city, one with a climate similar to their hometown and a cost of living that felt manageable. 鈥淚t was the first place we arrived,鈥� says Lei. 鈥淎nd we are still here.鈥澛�

Lei, who had spent nearly a decade as a network administrator at a medical college in China, enrolled at Nova Scotia Community College, completing a one-year Medical Office Administration program before earning a two-year diploma in Information Technology. 鈥淚 wanted to improve my skills, and I wanted to contribute,鈥� he says.

The transition from China to Nova Scotia wasn鈥檛 easy. Lei鈥檚 English was limited. He didn鈥檛 know where to go for help or how to navigate daily life. But then he discovered 同城约炮鈥檚 Foundations program. 鈥淎t that moment I realized there鈥檚 a program, and there鈥檚 people to help international students like me,鈥� he says.聽

Foundations offered connection, stability, and access to social, cultural, and professional resources. 鈥淚 was so worried when I arrived here,鈥� says Lei. 鈥淎fter I found this program, it was a relief to me. Almost everything I need to know I can find within this program. That gave me peace in my mind.鈥�

Through the program, Lei learned how to adapt to the Canadian job market, from how to write a resume to how to introduce himself at a job fair. 鈥淏ack home, you just hand out your resume. There are too many people for conversation,鈥� he says. 鈥淗ere, I learned you need to have a conversation first and to introduce yourself briefly. You need to know more about the company, you need to let others know you more. It's not just looking for something, it's to build a relationship with others. That鈥檚 what Foundations taught me.鈥�

Eventually, Lei applied for 同城约炮鈥檚 Capstone program, where he was matched with a mentor in his field who helped Lei build his confidence and his network. 鈥淪he's a kind person and even after the program ended, we still keep in touch.鈥�

Giving back is very important to Lei and through 同城约炮, he gained the confidence to become a volunteer. He helped at 同城约炮鈥檚 BEST Conference, helping welcome new international students and guiding them through events. He also joined NSCC鈥檚 International Student Ambassadors, and he has applied to become a volunteer for the Immigrant Service Association of Nova Scotia. 鈥淚 try to give back because I got so much help from others.鈥�

Now that Lei has graduated and his daughter and wife are happy in their new home, he is actively job hunting, hoping to work in IT for a school, non-profit, or government organization. 鈥淢y first choice is to work for an organization that helps people,鈥� says Lei. 鈥淚 like the feeling of helping people. When I see they are happy that I have helped them to deal with their issues, it feels so good.鈥�

When asked what he would say to an employer who鈥檚 never hired an international grad, Lei pauses. 鈥淟ocal students know the language, the culture. That鈥檚 fair. But international students have their own advantages too,鈥� says Lei. 鈥淲e bring diverse perspectives. We have knowledge of international businesses. And we want to contribute.鈥�

To other international students, he offers this advice: 鈥淔ind an organization like 同城约炮 because it's really helpful,鈥� says Lei. 鈥淏uild your network here, to feel more support and to feel that you belong here. Not just as a foreigner, but someone wanting to stay here, wanting to contribute to the community.鈥�