How International Student Akosua Appiah-Kubi is Starting Her Career in Saint John
SAINT JOHN — One of the first friends Akosua Appiah-Kubi made in Canada was a bus driver. As a first-year international student at UNB Saint John, she relied on the bus to get around the city and one driver went out of his way to show her the best routes. “He was a true example of someone reaching out and trying to help,” she said.
Four years later, Appiah-Kubi knows the city like the back of her hand. She is graduating this October and already has a full-time job in Supply Management with Irving Oil, a company she started working with through UNB Saint John’s Co-op program.
“My experiences in work term and university went hand-in-hand,” said Appiah-Kubi. “At work I learned to be more outspoken, to be more involved in teamwork.”
During her time in the co-op program, she saw a spike in her participation at school. She became less shy, asking more questions during class and going to professors when she needed help.
“In a work setting you have meetings where you have to speak up or you have to run a meeting,” said Appiah-Kubi. “You build confidence that way.”
When first choosing a university, her dad told her the benefits of learning on a small campus.
“You get to build relationships with professors which is good for when you are out of school and you are looking for references. They can actually have a true account of your experience as a student and get to know your weaknesses and strengths more in your courses,” said Appiah-Kubi.
Before moving to Canada to study, Appiah-Kubi lived in Accra, Ghana, which has a population of over 2 million. Appiah-Kubi liked the close community that a smaller city like Saint John had.
“Over here I had campus life and I had church life and then also being able to commute throughout the city. What I learned a lot about was community,” said Appiah-Kubi. “People tend to look out for you here.”
She made friends with other international students she met through campus life. One of her favourite things about the city is its restaurants, her recommendations being Thandi, India King, and Ta-ke Sushi.
“Just from talking to people and exploring I was able to connect to food,” said Appiah-Kubi.
After getting to know Saint John, she wants to spend more time in the city.
“I’ve set roots here,” said Appiah-Kubi. “I really wanted to see what work experience in Canada would be like. I’m hoping to stay in my role permanently for a few years and see if there are any more opportunities for further studies in parts of Canada.”
Appiah-Kubi’s next step is getting her permanent residency in Canada, which would allow her to stay here indefinitely. For people interested in immigrating to Canada, Appiah-Kubi said Saint John has systems set up to help.
“I think because it’s a small community there are a lot of support systems for people coming into Canada,” said Appiah-Kubi. “They have the newcomers association and organizations and just people in general that are ready to help you network,” said Appiah-Kubi.
Appiah-Kubi said that networking was an important part of starting her own career. She thinks that the close-knit nature of the city makes networking easier.
“Everyone just tends to know each other,” said Appiah-Kubi. “That’s what I like about Saint John.”
This story is sponsored by the City of Saint John