Hospitality and Tourism Management international student creates opportunity to tour Saskatchewan
Since moving from India to Prince Albert in February 2022, Leevence Rakesh Macwan continues to build connections and friendships within Saskatchewan Polytechnic and throughout the city, becoming the newest youth ambassador at the Prince Albert Multicultural Council (PAMC).
As a newcomer, Macwan realized he wasn’t able to fully explore his new home because
he didn't have access to personal transportation. During a networking event in Prince
Albert, the ambitious 24-year-old pitched a project to the PAMC to enable international
students to explore the land they live on. For their first trip, 25 participants travelled
from Prince Albert to Wanuskewin Heritage Park to learn and engage with traditional
Indigenous culture and teachings. This trip was sponsored by the PAMC.
“The reason I got inspired to start with Indigenous tourism is because when I attended a conference as part of my program, there was a focus on Indigenous tourism,” he shares. “For international students, Indigenous culture is a new culture that we’ve heard about. Going to Wanuskewin, we were able to see practical elements. There’s a difference between hearing about a culture and having a chance to see it and do activities. It’s a great way to learn.”
Having a background as an accountant, the Hospitality and Tourism Management student is pleased to combine his passion for commerce and tourism.
“Accounting is complimentary to hospitality and tourism. As an accountant, I'm in a position to understand the business completely. I get to analyze the revenue streams of Saskatchewan and understand the behavioural trends as well as the analysis. Tourism is an industry that contributes significantly to the economy,” he notes.
In addition to volunteering with the PAMC, Macwan is employed as an international student assistant at Sask Polytech. Through this job, he helps others make the most of their experience in Saskatchewan at Sask Polytech.
“Being an international student assistant is one of the highlights I’m most proud of. I will always cherish this time. Even 40 years from now, I’m going to look back and feel gratitude for helping people, the connections that I made, good friends. My coworkers became family. It’s been really amazing. This has been the best time of my life,” he shares.
Nearly 3,200 international students are enrolled in programs across the four campus cities of Sask Polytech. It’s important to support these individuals coming to study in Canada.
“Part of what makes Sask Polytech unique is the sense of community our students experience,” says Alice Miller, associate vice-president of Student Services at Sask Polytech. “The beauty of welcoming international students is that we have a chance to exchange ideas and learn about other cultures. We also want international students to have an opportunity to discover what Canada and Saskatchewan have to offer. Programming and activities are an essential part of the student experience.”
International student assistants are a vital part of the system which welcomes students from abroad.
“New students recognize themselves in their peers. By having international student assistants, we offer an additional support system to anyone who arrives from overseas,” says Annie Fu, director of international enrolment at Sask Polytech. “Students like Leevence exemplify the richness international students bring to our campuses. His eagerness to share with students and the community at large are huge assets to Sask Polytech and Prince Albert as a whole. As a youth ambassador at the PAMC, Leevence represents the next generation of new Canadians who continue to contribute to our society.”
For his next project as the youth ambassador for the PAMC, Macwan is focusing on an international student trip to explore and enjoy winter activities in Christopher Lake in January. For many international students, winter may be a challenging time.
“International students don’t know what Canadians do in the winter. I want to bridge that gap by doing something Canadians do, so students can learn,” he says, hoping it will help students get accustomed to the weather.
For more information about international learning and supports visit saskpolytech.ca/international.