A new start in Nova Scotia
Moving from Seoul, South Korea where the population is over 10 million to a small town in a different country would be a significant adjustment for anyone. But Justin Chang wanted a change and a new start for his family.
He was looking for an English-speaking country where he could study Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a skill he first learned about when he was serving in the South Korean military.
He and his family chose Canada and decided to settle in Nova Scotia because of the welcoming community and the educational opportunity at NSCC’s Centre of Geographic Sciences. “I found out that one of the best schools (offering the GIS program) in Canada is in Nova Scotia,” says Justin.
An interest in Geographic Information Systems
GIS is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking and displaying data related to positions on the Earth’s surface. (National Geographic) This technology has many uses. Examples include planning new community development areas and highways, maintaining or cataloguing utility assets like telecommunication poles, or creating maps to track forest fires and planning for possible evacuation areas. GIS is one of several geomatics-focused programs offered at COGS.
A welcoming community and campus
In 2018, Justin, along with his wife and daughter, moved to Nova Scotia and bought a home in Bedford. “When we moved here, we were pleasantly surprised. My daughter and wife loved it and so did I.”
His wife and daughter stayed in Bedford while Justin attended COGS in the Annapolis Valley as a GIS student. Moving to a small town and not having any connections in the beginning was challenging for Justin, but the welcoming people in the community and on campus made the transition easier.
Supports for International Students
Justin is one of a growing number of international students who chose to learn at NSCC. Dedicated supports include International Student Advisors who introduce students to resources available on campus and in the community and provide assistance with career planning. The international student community is growing at the College and learners are coming from all over the world to attend NSCC.
Becoming a student ambassador
Justin wanted to give back to his community and help other international students. He volunteered as the first International Student Ambassador at COGS. “I would meet with other international students, have lunch together and share stories and information that was relevant to help each other. When COVID-19 hit, I hosted weekly calls to check in to make sure they were OK,” he says.
Ashley Pinsent-Tobin, Manager of International Learning says the International Student Ambassador program has a far-reaching impact on the communities in which students study in. “The program helps international students and their families integrate into the community so they feel settled and want to stay and work in the community after they graduate,” she explains, noting that the program has grown significantly over the years. “The program launched in 2016-2017 with Justin being one of the first in the program. In 2019-2020 there were 20 student ambassadors,” says Ashley. “This year (2022 – 2023) there are 74 across the province who collectively volunteered 957 hours.” International Student Ambassadors plan events such as local festivals, on-campus meet-ups and socials, career-focused webinars and immigration sessions, which provide an opportunity for students and their families to get to know the community.
There are 74 international student ambassadors, located throughout our campuses, helping fellow students and their families integrate into the community.
Source: NSCC Institutional Research
Hands-on learning leads to employment
Justin says the GIS program offered hands-on learning and helped him gain a higher level of technical knowledge and experience. “I didn’t have a lot of technical experience and the program was really helpful in that way. I learned how to handle situations using new software, new settings, new workflows and had a lot of time to hone those skills. In the first year, we built a foundation and in the second year, applied everything we learned. It was fun,” says Justin adding the positive influence his instructors had on his experience. “They helped build my confidence. They were very approachable; you could ask them questions at any time and they were always there for you.”
After graduating, Justin joined the GIS team at MOBIA Technology Innovations after meeting them through a COGS job fair. “I like the fact that I’m using GIS extensively and I’m always learning new things. I like the notion that when people come to me with a problem, I can help them solve it,” says Justin. “Through my training at NSCC I tend to think about different ways to solve problems and use more critical thinking rather than a generic standard solution. For that I’m very thankful.”
Develop your career-ready skills and open opportunities in the geospatial sector with NSCC's Geographic Information Systems program.