Ahmed Almosaqi is proof of just how valuable the World University Service of Canada Student Refugee Program (WUSC SRP) is to young people around the world. 

Almosaqi arrived in Canada in August 2024 to study at Humber Polytechnic as part of the SRP. Originally from Iraq, Almosaqi was a refugee in Jordan when friends at the centre where he was learning English told him about it. 

“The best investment anyone can make in themselves is education and through the program I saw a bright future for myself,” said Almosaqi. 

It wasn’t easy at first. When he arrived, he said he felt a bit like a newborn baby. 

“It was a different culture, everything was different,” said Almosaqi.  

However, he didn’t feel alone. He had tremendous support from Humber, which fully sponsored him for a year as part of the program. That support included his advisors Shaun Carson, associate director, Student Life and Learning, and Tuba Chishti, senior administrator, Student Success and Engagement. 

He was supported financially through Humber but also in settling into his new country and home. They helped him get a driver’s license and health card and set up a bank account. 

“I didn’t know how to do any of that,” said Almosaqi, who lives in residence at North Campus. 

Carson said Humber has sponsored seven students through the program over the years and have had learners come from around the world including Syria and Afghanistan. 

“Supporting the WUSC SRP is part of our mandate of being good global citizens and giving people access to education and a path to citizenship can help them and their loved ones. This program can uplift a lot of people, not just the learner but also their families,” said Carson.  

While Humber is financially responsible for the students for a year, the support lasts beyond that. Carson said, from his experience, students often stay at Humber beyond that initial year, graduate and find work in their field of study. 

Almosaqi needed to improve his language skills when he first arrived, so he enrolled in the English for Academic Purposes program. After completing that, he remained at Humber and made the switch to the Practical Nursing program.  

His grandfather and brother both worked in nursing, and Almosaqi loves the idea of a career where he can help others. 

“The first year at Humber I made a lot of friends from different countries and built my language skills and that has helped me a lot in the nursing program,” he said. “I’m so happy right now and coming to Canada as part of the SRP was the right decision.” 

Carson said the students who study at Humber as part of the SRP are excited and eager to learn. 

“They don’t take this program lightly – they understand the gravity of it for them and how it can change the trajectory of their whole life. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Carson. “For Tuba and I, one of the best parts of our job is seeing how a person’s life can change through this program.” 

Find out more by visiting the WUSC SRP website.