Fourth year, Honors Specialization in Globalization Studies
I have helped new students adjust to life here by introducing them to different aspects of our culture,” he shares. “I help them access resources on campus, and I always make sure I’m there to answer their questions and alleviate concerns.
Hometown: London, ON
Thanks to Huron’s collaboration with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), in August 2016, Huron was proud to welcome Gabriel from the Dzaleka refugee camp in Africa to pursue his undergrad.
As someone who has directly benefitted from this student-supported philanthropic initiative, Gabriel recognizes that volunteers are a vital component of its life-changing vision. In the spirit of this, he chose to pay it forward as a WUSC volunteer, almost immediately upon his arrival in Canada.
“I have helped new students adjust to life here by introducing them to different aspects of our culture,” he shares. “I help them access resources on campus, and I always make sure I’m there to answer their questions and alleviate concerns.”
Gabriel’s role as Community Settlement and Living Coordinator provides student refugees with a point person they feel comfortable turning to because he knows exactly what it’s like to leave behind everything familiar and start a new life in a foreign place.
“Volunteering with WUSC has been a great an opportunity for me to support and advocate for a cause that is close to my heart – that is making sure post-secondary education is accessible to marginalized, stigmatized and forgotten young people from all walks of life.”
Gabriel’s passion for this cause encourages him to raise awareness about the initiative on, and beyond, campus to bolster financial resources that empower our school to help even more student refugees realize their dreams of a Canadian education.