EARLY DAYS:
During her first months in Nova Scotia, Tavneet Kaur wondered, ‘Where do I fit in?’ Kaur had moved from Delhi, India, to Antigonish to complete a Bachelor of Secondary Education in Math at St. Francis Xavier University. While academics came easily for Tavneet, other aspects of settling into her new home proved to be more difficult.
“If you’re from a different country, it takes time to feel included,” says Tavneet. “You’re entering a brand-new system coming from something completely different.” As Kaur sought to build connections and find her place, one program helped bridge the gap between student life and a fulfilling future in Nova Scotia.
Being accepted into EduNova’s Study and Stay Capstone program in 2022 was a turning point for Tavneet. “Being a part of it opened up different opportunities for me,” says Tavneet, who is now a STEM educator teaching high school Mathematics and Technology Education with Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education (CCRCE).
The Capstone program is designed to provide personalized support to international students in their final year at a Nova Scotia post-secondary institution, helping them transition from student life to a successful career in the province.
Now in its 10th year, the program combines personalized one-on-one and group support to help students gain the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to succeed after graduation. With financial support from the provincial and federal governments through the Nova Scotia Department of Advanced Education and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Study and Stay has produced nearly 800 work-ready, community-connected international graduates who are contributing directly to Nova Scotia’s economic growth, many in high-demand and priority sectors.
For Tavneet, the best part about the Capstone program was the opportunity to connect with mentors. “My own mentor, and other ones I met, had various levels of experience and diverse backgrounds. I loved connecting with people, hearing their stories, and sharing mine.” These relationships helped Kaur build the confidence and network she needed to build a future for herself in Nova Scotia.
FINDING COMMUNITY
As Tavneet found her footing in Nova Scotia through the Study and Stay Capstone program, she also began creating opportunities for others to feel at home. This led to the birth of X Helping Hands: A platform Kaur founded in 2022 with support from the McKenna Centre for Leadership at StFX.
X Helping Hands began as a community platform supporting international students through mentorship, storytelling, and skill-building. “It was more than just their struggles,” says Tavneet. “It was also their stories about how the community has given them the support that they need.”
Since then, X Helping Hands has evolved into an initiative for all newcomers or community members from across Antigonish and Pictou County and LGBTQ2IA+, and other racialized groups.
“Giving back to the community is important. It is also what helps employers understand the value an international graduate brings,” says Tavneet. “For me, that came from being involved, having experience with different organizations, and building relationships.”
Kaur’s passion for community work has shaped her professional path. She completed her practicums at the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education and, after graduating in 2023, was hired as a secondary math teacher. This year, she transitioned to teaching high school at North Nova Education Center.
Teaching has also helped Kaur become more integrated into Nova Scotia’s culture and values. In recent years, she has deepened her understanding of Remembrance Day customs by helping organize school ceremonies. Similarly, Kaur learned about Mi’kmaq traditions through events hosted by elders from Pictou Landing. “This year, I got to see what it really means. Being in the school system helped me understand more.”
The transition from international student to community builder and then educator was exactly the kind of journey the Capstone program is designed to support.
PAYING IT FORWARD
Since graduating from Capstone in 2023, Tavneet has continued her engagement by serving as a mentor in the Study and Stay Capstone program, aiming to offer the type of guidance and connection she once received as a student. “I had my own mentor and subsequently engaged with other mentors at various events,” states Tavneet. “These included individuals from diverse universities and a range of professions.”
The support she received and the connections she made with other students did not end when Kaur graduated. “If I want to ask something, if I must know something, I do connect with them even now. It just became a part of my life and professional network.”
Tavneet genuinely enjoys giving back by speaking at Study and Stay retreats, where she shares her experiences and helpful advice. She served in this role at the Study and Stay graduation ceremony on July 24th. There, she addressed a new cohort of work-ready Capstone graduates—equipped to launch their professional careers with the unique skills and experience provided by EduNova.
