From Montreal to IT Guy Award-Winning Speaker: Martin’s Journey Across Canada 🇨🇦🎤

What does it take to become one of the most trusted guides for international students in Vancouver? In this episode of the CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST, we sit down with Martin Priest — Project Coordinator at Cornerstone College, public speaker, teacher, mentor, and one of the most influential voices in Vancouver’s student community.

After 20+ years working as a computer technician, Martin made a bold career pivot that led him straight into education, mentorship, and storytelling. Today, he’s helping students from all over the world navigate the realities of studying, working, and growing in Canada.

💻 From Tech to Teaching – How a long career in IT opened the door to education and student support

🎤 Public Speaking Power – The award-winning skill that changed his life

🌍 Montreal to Vancouver – Why he packed up, moved across the country, and never looked back

👨‍🏫 Student Impact – The advice he gives international students before they step into a classroom

🤝 Community Matters – Why connection, kindness, and mentorship are at the heart of student success

Whether you're thinking of studying in Canada or already living the Vancouver experience, Martin’s story will motivate you to grow, adapt, and take bold steps — no matter where you're starting from.

🎧 Real students. Real stories. Real growth. Listen now.

🎙️ CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST – Where students connect, share, and grow.

🌐 Website: canstu.net

📸 Instagram: @canstunet @open.canada.immigration

▶️ YouTube: @canada.student.network

De México a Vancouver: La Historia de Alex y su Nueva Vida en Canadá 🇲🇽🍁

¿Qué pasa cuando un estudiante internacional llega a Vancouver con ganas de trabajar, mejorar su inglés y construir una nueva vida desde cero? En este episodio del CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST, conocemos a Alex, un estudiante mexicano que encontró una oportunidad inesperada trabajando en pressure washing (limpieza a presión) mientras estudia y se adapta a la vida en Canadá.

Alex comparte cómo fue llegar sin entender mucho inglés, cómo se apoyó en su comunidad latina, y cómo el trabajo duro —aunque a veces pesado y bajo la lluvia— le dio seguridad, amigos y una rutina estable en Vancouver.

Aquí, su historia no es solo sobre sobrevivir… sino sobre crecer.

🇨🇦 Vivir y trabajar en Vancouver — Lo bueno, lo difícil y lo que nadie te dice

💦 Pressure Washing Job — Cómo consiguió el trabajo y qué aprendió en el camino

💬 Inglés en Canadá — Mejorar el idioma en la vida real (no solo en la escuela)

🌎 Comunidad Latina — Apoyo, amistades y sentirse en casa lejos de casa

🔥 Motivación Real — “Si yo pude empezar desde cero, tú también puedes.”

Si estás pensando en venir a Canadá a estudiar, trabajar o simplemente empezar una nueva etapa, la historia de Alex te recordará que no se necesita tener todo resuelto para comenzar.

Solo voluntad, paciencia… y creer en ti.

🎧 Historias reales. Estudiantes reales. Resultados reales. Escucha ahora.

🎙️ CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST — Donde los estudiantes se conectan, comparten y crecen.

🌐 Website: canstu.net

📸 Instagram: @canstunet

▶️ YouTube: @canada.student.network

De Cuernavaca, México a Vancouver: La Historia de Fernando y la Fuerza de Empezar de Nuevo 🇲🇽🍁¿Qué pasa cuando un estudiante internacional llega a Canadá decidido a construir una vida diferente desde cero?En este episodio del CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST, conocemos a Fernando, un mexicano de Cuernavaca que decidió estudiar International Business Management en Vancouver… pero cuya historia real se escribió arriba de los techos, trabajando en roofing bajo el sol, la lluvia y el frío canadiense.Fernando comparte cómo pasar del aula al trabajo físico cambió su cuerpo, su mente y su manera de enfrentar la vida. Desde aprender de construcción sin experiencia previa, hasta acostumbrarse a climas extremos y encontrar una comunidad que lo apoyara mientras estudiaba y trabajaba.Su historia no es solo de esfuerzo —es de resistencia, crecimiento y orgullo.🇨🇦 Vivir y trabajar en Vancouver — Lo real, lo duro y lo que sí vale la pena🧱 Roofing en Canadá — Un trabajo pesado que te cambia por dentro💬 Inglés y adaptación — Aprender con la vida diaria (no solo en la escuela)🤝 Comunidad Latina — Encontrar apoyo lejos de casa🔥 Fortaleza Mental — “Si te mantienes firme, tu vida cambia.”Si estás pensando en venir a Canadá, esta historia te recordará que el crecimiento pasa cuando te atreves a incomodarte.No necesitas tener todas las respuestas.Solo dar el siguiente paso.🎧 Historias reales. Estudiantes reales. Resultados reales. Escucha ahora.🎙️ CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST — Donde los estudiantes se conectan, comparten y crecen.🌐 Website: canstu.net📸 Instagram: @canada.student.network▶️ YouTube: @canada.student.network

Achieving French Fluency: Sunny’s Journey in Vancouver 🇮🇳🍁

What happens when an international student swaps textbooks for teaching French in one of Canada’s most multicultural cities? In this episode of the CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST, we meet Sunny Manchanda, a former MBA student at University Canada West who became a Program Assistant at UCW and a French Language Instructor at CELC— proving that learning a language can open doors you never imagined.

From brushing up on his French to earning PR in Canada, Sunny shares the ups and downs of studying, working, and teaching in Vancouver — and how mastering French transformed his career and life.

🇨🇦 Career & Opportunity – From MBA student to program assistant and language instructor

💬 French & PR – How learning French unlocked new possibilities in Canada

🌎 Student Life in Vancouver – Lessons, tips, and motivation for international students

🎓 Learning from Zero – Sunny’s advice for students starting French from scratch

🌲 Life Beyond Studies – How embracing a new language and culture changed everything

Whether you’re learning French, planning your studies, or exploring life in Canada, Sunny’s story will inspire you to take that next step with confidence and passion.

🎧 Real students. Real stories. Real growth. Listen now.

🎙️ CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST – Where students connect, share, and grow.

🌐 Website: canstu.net

📸 Instagram: @canada.student.network

▶️ YouTube: @canada.student.network

From Chef to Event Manager: Germán’s Leap from Mexico to Vancouver 🇲🇽🍁
What happens when a Mexican chef trades his kitchen knives for event calendars in one of Canada’s coolest cities? In this episode of the CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST, we meet Germán Arellano, a former international student turned Event Manager at Cornerstone College — and whose story is a perfect mix of luck, hustle, and pure Vancouver vibes.
From flipping tortillas to planning campus parties, Germán shares how he built a new life in Canada, the lessons he learned as a student, and the real deal about working and studying in Vancouver.
🍳 From Kitchen to Career – How cooking at summer camps led to a full-time job in education
💬 English & Money – The two survival tips every international student needs
🌲 Vancouver Life – Why seeing the ocean for the first time still gives him chills
🌎 Student Community – How events help students make friends, network, and feel at home
🎿 Adventures Ahead – Biking Stanley Park, hiking Joffre Lakes, and skiing for the first time
Whether you’re dreaming of studying in Canada or already unpacking your bags, Germán’s journey will make you laugh, nod, and feel inspired to chase your own Canadian dream.
🎧 Real students. Real stories. Real growth. Listen now.
🎙️ CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST – Where students connect, share, and grow.
🌐 Website: canstu.net
📸 Instagram: @vanstu.network | @canada.student.network
▶️ YouTube: @canada.student.network

From Mongolia to UCW: Khuslen’s Journey of Finance, Work & Life in Canada 🇲🇳🇨🇦

What’s it like to leave home to study finance—while managing classes, part-time work, and adjusting to life in a brand-new country?

Meet Khuslen — a Finance student at University Canada West in Vancouver — who shares her honest story of starting her student journey in Canada. From first impressions of the city and balancing school with work, to finding community and overcoming homesickness, she gives a real look at what it means to grow as an international student abroad.

In this episode of the CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST, Khuslen opens up about adapting to Canadian culture, building friendships, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

🎧 Real students. Real stories. Real growth. Listen now.

🎙️ CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST – Where students connect, share, and grow.

🌐 Website: canstu.net

📸 Instagram: @vanstu.network | @canada.student.network

▶️ YouTube: @canada.student.network

From Venezuela to ILAC: Alejandro’s Journey of Business, Work & Life in Canada 🇻🇪🇨🇦

What’s it like to move to a new country to study business—while balancing classes, part-time work, and adjusting to a completely new culture?

Meet Alejandro — a Marketing student at ILAC, Vancouver — who shares his story of starting fresh in Canada. From studying in English and managing his schedule, to handling rent, groceries, and budgeting, he gives an honest look at the challenges and wins of student life abroad.

In this episode of the CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST, Alejandro opens up about navigating Canadian culture, making friends from different backgrounds, and gaining practical skills for his future career.

🎧 Real students. Real stories. Real growth. Listen now.

🎙️ CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST – Where students connect, share, and grow.

🌐 Website: canstu.net

📸 Instagram: @vanstu.network | @canada.student.network

▶️ YouTube: @canada.student.network

From Colombia to UCW: Juan’s Journey of Business, Work & Life in Canada 🇨🇴🇨🇦
What’s it like to move countries to study business—while juggling classes, part-time work, and adapting to a completely new culture?
Meet Juan — an Associate of Arts in Business student at the University Canada West (UCW) — who shares his story of starting fresh in Vancouver. From navigating courses in English and planning his schedule across two universities, to managing rent, groceries, and budgeting, he gives an honest look at the challenges and wins of student life abroad.
In this episode of the CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST, Juan opens up about adjusting to Canadian weather, building friendships across cultures, and learning essential skills for his future career.
🎧 Real students. Real stories. Real growth. Listen now.🎙️ CANADA STUDENT NETWORK PODCAST – Where students connect, share, and grow.🌐 Website: canstu.net📸 Instagram: @vanstu.network | @canada.student.network▶️ YouTube: @canada.student.network