Global Gathering Place Scholarship Recipients of 2025
At our AGM in June, we were honoured to present our second round of Global Gathering Place Scholarships. This scholarship continues the legacy of New Community Credit Union with the support of Synergy Credit Union. Synergy Credit Union donated $50,000 to GGP as part of their commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers to Canada. In the years to come, GGP will disburse $5,000 in scholarships to help advance the careers of refugees and immigrants.
We were deeply inspired by the settlement stories of our scholarship applicants and are pleased to share the selected stories of our six recipients here.
Eman – Dental Assisting at University of Saskatchewan
Coming to Canada completely transformed my life. I arrived as a teenager who didn’t know what to expect, unsure of how I would fit in or build a future in a new country. Five years later, I’ve grown into a young adult who has learned to face challenges with strength and resilience.
One of the first and biggest hurdles I faced was the language barrier. I started learning English from scratch in my first year of high school. I was shy and afraid to speak, which made it hard to connect with others. Just months after arriving in Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Schools shut down, and everything moved online. As a newcomer, this isolation made it even harder to learn, adapt, and feel like I belonged. But despite those obstacles, I kept going, driven by my hope of building a better future for myself and my family.
Almost a year after the pandemic began, we slowly returned to in-person learning. This time, I had a goal: I wanted to change something in myself. I knew I needed to become more confident, make friends, and learn how to socialize in this new environment. I spent a lot of time watching movies to improve my language skills and gain confidence. Around the same time, I began participating in newcomer programs at Open Door Society and Global Gathering Place. These programs helped me rebuild connections, learn new skills, and support my family through our settlement process, from finding housing to applying for income assistance and even getting help with taxes. I will always be grateful for their support. Learning how to handle everyday paperwork made me realize how important it is to be informed and capable, skills I continue to build as I prepare for post-secondary education.
These experiences helped shape my motivation to become the first person in my family to pursue post-secondary education. My parents never had the chance to study back in Syria, so this goal means a lot to me. I want to build a better future by gaining skills, education, and experiences that can open new doors for me and my family. I plan to start in the dental assisting program and later apply to dental hygiene, a field I’ve been passionate about for years.
Since arriving in Canada, I’ve supported my family in many ways, from filling out paperwork and translating appointments to helping them register for programs so they could make friends and build connections in the community. I also helped us find stable housing. Balancing these responsibilities with school and a part-time job has taught me patience, resilience, and time management. I’ve become more confident. Especially in speaking English and handling everyday challenges. In the future, I hope to work as a dental hygienist, helping people feel confident in their smiles. I also dream of being part of organizations that support refugees globally, even if it’s outside of my main career path.
I believe that giving back to others, especially those who have experienced struggle, will always be part of who I am. Looking back, my journey has been full of challenges, growth, and new beginnings. Each experience has shaped who I am today and continues to motivate me to reach higher. I am proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited for what lies ahead. With the support of this scholarship, I hope to continue my education, build a meaningful career, and make a positive impact on both my community and others who share a similar path.
Lawrence – Occupational Health and Safety Certificate at Saskatchewan Polytechnic
My name is Lawrence, and my journey from Nigeria to Saskatchewan, Canada, has been one of resilience, change, and purposeful pursuit of a better future for my immediate family. I immigrated to Canada in search of personal growth, professional advancement, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society. I am proud of how far I have come and even more determined to continue making a positive impact in my immediate community.
In Nigeria, I developed a strong interest in workplace safety through my involvement in healthcare environments where occupational risks were often high, neglected, and poorly managed. I knew I wanted to be part of a transformational change to help build healthier, safer working conditions. Canada’s strong standards in health and safety, along with its emphasis on training and prevention, inspired me to move here and pursue a professional career in this field.
I arrived in Saskatchewan with both excitement and a missed feeling. I landed just close to winter, and was preparing to see snow for the very first time in my life. Beyond the climate change, I faced the challenges that many newcomers experience, including cultural differences and adjustment, financial pressure, and the need to reestablish my career path all over again. Though the support I received from settlement services like Global Gathering Place was massive and made settling down a lot more easier. I began to see Saskatchewan not just as a place to live, but as a community that welcomed my efforts and believed in my potential and also gave me the opportunity to explore.
I enrolled in the Occupational Health and Safety program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic to gain the Canadian credentials and practical knowledge necessary to thrive in this profession. This program will equip me with the tools to assess risk, promote safety culture, and support compliance in various work environments.
Beyond academics, I’ve been actively involved in giving back to the community. I volunteer at St. Paul’s Hospital under the Saskatchewan Health Authority, where I assist patients and families and support the public in meeting their goals. This experience has reinforced my commitment to the well-being of others and deepened my understanding of health and safety practices in healthcare settings.
My ultimate goal is to become a certified Occupational Health and Safety professional in Saskatchewan. I hope to work in industries where I can help reduce workplace hazards, educate employees, and foster safer work environments. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my journey. Saskatchewan has given me more than just a new home; it has given me a new purpose. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue my studies, serve my community, and contribute to building a safer, healthier future for all.
Maryam – PMI Agile Certified Practitioner Program at Project Management Institute
My name is Maryam, and I arrived in Canada in May 2024 with the hope of building a better future and using my experience to contribute meaningfully to Canadian society. Before immigrating, I served as the Head of the Organization Engineering Group at a major medical university in Iran. I hold a PhD in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Throughout my 20+ year career, I focused on improving organizational structures, enhancing service delivery, and guiding process efficiency. I was passionate about helping institutions function better for both employees and clients. However, starting over in a new country, even with strong credentials, comes with significant challenges.
Upon arriving in Canada, I quickly realized that transitioning into the Canadian workforce would require more than just professional experience. I faced many of the common hurdles that newcomers encounter: adjusting to a different culture, rebuilding a support network, understanding the employment landscape, and improving my English proficiency. Despite my years of experience, I learned that without Canadian credentials and local experience, gaining meaningful employment could be difficult. Rather than becoming discouraged, I made the decision to actively seek growth. I enrolled in English language classes to strengthen my communication skills and better integrate into Canadian society. To gain local experience and contribute to my community, I began volunteering at Southeast Advocates Inc., a newcomer support organization. There, I worked as an administrative assistant, helping with documentation, organizing files, and supporting team activities. This volunteer experience has been incredibly valuable in regaining my confidence and practicing my professional skills in a Canadian setting.
Emotionally, the settlement journey has been both humbling and empowering. Leaving behind a career I had built over decades was not easy, and the financial pressures of restarting in a new country have added stress. Yet, I have remained hopeful. Being part of community-focused organizations like Southeast Advocates and Global Gathering Place (GGP) has shown me the strength of support systems available for newcomers. Through them, I have met others facing similar transitions and found encouragement in shared experiences.
Looking ahead, I am committed to rebuilding my career and contributing to my new home. I have applied to the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner Program because I believe this professional certification will help bridge the gap between my past and future. Agile project management is widely used in Canada, and gaining this credential will allow me to better align with the expectations of Canadian employers. The program also complements my background in organizational development and team coordination.
With the support of this scholarship, I am one step closer to re-establishing myself professionally in Canada. I am eager to apply my skills in a new context and continue learning along the way. More importantly, I want to give back by helping other newcomers navigate their journeys, just as I have been supported in mine.
Mohammad – Health Studies at University of Saskatchewan
My resettlement journey began the moment Kabul fell. What followed was a terrifying escape, months of displacement, and years of rebuilding from scratch. I was only 14 when my family was forced to flee Afghanistan. We are Hazara, a historically marginalized ethnic group persecuted by the Taliban. My father, a lifelong political activist and journalist, was at risk. Overnight, our family went from citizens to fugitives.
We travelled across the country to escape. Our network promised safe passage north to Mazar-i-Sharif, but every plan fell apart. After weeks hiding in cramped basements, we boarded a bus heading south, only for it to break down on a deserted road. My family and I trudged for hours, avoiding the main roads and sticking to side trails so we wouldn’t be seen by the Taliban. I carried our only suitcase on my shoulders. At every turn, we expected to be caught. Every shadow felt like a Taliban patrol.
Eventually, after a few nights of sleeping on sidewalks, we made it to the Torkham border crossing into Pakistan. But there was no safety there either. In Islamabad, too ashamed to beg but too desperate to refuse kindness, I stood in refugee camp lines to get food. Finally, we landed in Canada—a country whose name felt like a promise. Saskatoon welcomed us with open arms, but relief quickly turned into panic. I didn’t know the language, the culture, or how to begin again. My parents spoke little English and couldn’t qualify for the jobs they once held with pride.
Six months after arrival, at 15 years old, I took my first shift at Red Swan Pizza—five days a week, evenings and weekends—while still attending high school full-time. Every night, I fell asleep over my textbooks, burned out from exhaustion. Determined not to let hardship define me, I began volunteering at the University of Saskatchewan and studying in local libraries. That unpaid work led to a part-time role as a data analysis technician at the age of 17. I earned just enough to help support my family of six, but not enough to save for tuition, textbooks, or basic supplies I’ll need in university.
I ache to give back—to mentor the next child who flees violence, to serve my new community with the same passion I felt in Afghanistan. A scholarship isn’t just money to me; it’s a lifeline that could turn my story from survival into a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of education.
Setara – CST (Computer System Technology) at Saskatchewan Polytechnic
My name is Setara, and I was born in Afghanistan. But in August 2021, everything changed. When the Taliban took control of the country, millions of Afghans, including myself, were forced to leave the only home we had ever known. The life we had built, the dreams we had nurtured, all vanished instantly.
For nine long months, my mother and I lived in a refugee camp in Abu Dhabi, uncertain of the future. Every day felt like a battle between hope and despair. Finally, Canada opened its doors to us. It became our new home, though adjusting as two single women in an unfamiliar country was anything but easy.
Afghanistan is now a place where girls beyond grade six are denied an education, a reality that breaks my heart every single day. The suffering of Afghan women and girls, their stolen dreams, the silenced voices. It haunts me. Yet, here I am, in a place where I have the privilege to learn, to grow, to chase my ambitions. It is a privilege I do not take for granted.
After settling in Canada, I began searching for a job, determined to build a new life despite the hardships. Fortunately, I was hired as an Educational Assistant at the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, a role I’ve held since January 16, 2023. It hasn’t been easy, being an immigrant girl comes with struggles, with weighty responsibilities. But I’ve kept moving forward.
And now, I am enrolled in the Computer Systems Technology program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, ready to carve out a future I never thought possible. The road has been long, filled with sorrow and resilience, but I stand here today, hopeful. I will honour the dreams of Afghan girls who cannot speak, who cannot learn, who cannot live freely.
Tabarak – Health Science at University of Saskatchewan
I arrived in Canada as a Syrian refugee in 2023 through private sponsorship. The decision to leave Lebanon was not easy, but it was necessary. My family and I fled the hardships of war and lived in Lebanon for several years, facing ongoing financial and emotional struggles. Despite the uncertainty, I held onto hope for a better life and future opportunities. Coming to Canada meant starting over from scratch, but I was determined to build a new and meaningful life here.
When we first arrived in Saskatoon, everything was unfamiliar—especially the weather, the language, and the fast pace of daily life. I experienced intense culture shock and homesickness. Even small tasks like using public transportation or shopping for groceries felt overwhelming. But amidst those difficulties, I found support and kindness through programs and people who welcomed us warmly. Organizations like Global Gathering Place made a meaningful difference by helping newcomers like me feel less alone and more prepared for the challenges ahead.
Global Gathering Place played a significant role in my journey. Through their programs, I learned about life in Canada and connected with others in similar situations. I participated in workshops on communication and employment readiness. These experiences built my confidence and gave me a sense of belonging.
One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced has been balancing my education with my family responsibilities. As the eldest child, I carry the responsibility of caring for my father, who has kidney failure, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. I attend all of his medical appointments as his driver and translator since he does not speak English. At the same time, I worked full-time in 2023 while completing my final year of business studies remotely at Southern New Hampshire University and taking English courses at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. That year tested every part of me—physically, mentally, and emotionally—but I grew stronger because of it.
Although I earned a business diploma, my true passion has always been in healthcare. I have been accepted to the University of Saskatchewan and started my studies in January 2025. I plan to pursue a degree in health studies, with the goal of eventually studying nutrition. I want to use my education to help others, especially those living with chronic conditions like my father, and to promote preventative health within newcomer communities.
Throughout my settlement process, I also sought opportunities to give back to my community. I am volunteering at the Royal University Hospital (RUH) Gift Shop, where I am gaining valuable experience in customer service and teamwork while also contributing to the hospital’s environment. This experience further solidified my passion for healthcare and made me more committed to supporting others in their healthcare journeys.
Canada has become my home, and I am proud of how far I’ve come. My experiences have made me more compassionate, resilient, and determined to give back. I am committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others, just as others have done for me.
