#HumansofCBU: Meet Grace!

For those of you who are new here, #HumansofCBU is a Caper Times initiative to help deepen the sense of community between CBU students, faculty, and staff. By sharing stories and experiences of a community member each month, we hope to bring about an awareness about the beauty in the diversity of human experiences.

This month we had the opportunity to interview Tram Le (Grace):

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. My name is Grace Le, a student of post-baccalaureate of Business Management at CBU. I am from Vietnam and studying abroad is my dream of life. I am glad that I finally made it after 15 years.

Grace on her first trip to Halifax

Q: What do you like the most about Cape Breton and what made you decide to come here? I arrived in Sydney on a sunny summer day on 15 August 2019. The weather was so nice then and it is definitely one of the reasons I chose NS, or CB, as my destination. Although winter here is cold, I still find it beautiful here. Other reasons are world-class landscape, friendly locals, suitable studying program, but the most important reason is immigration opportunity, which can give me the life I dream of. There are many organizations that aim to support new immigrants on the way to become the new permanent residents, such as New Dawn and CB Partnerships. I am currently one of 50 selected students of the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay program, the provincial one that equips international students with all the necessary skills networks to work and stay in Nova Scotia. Q: Why did you choose to pursue business management? I worked in global advertising agencies for 10 years and the business world has been always attractive to me. So there is no doubt that learning about business from a developed country like Canada would prepare me with the fundamental knowledge then open the gate for me in the professional career in Canada or whenever I am in the future.

Pictured: Grace (extreme right) in a group presentation in her business class

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to the readers of Caper Times, what would it be? Life in a new environment is not an easy challenge for sure, but we are, as newcomers to CB, are so brave to pursue it for a better future. Different obstacles, from small ones such as shopping at supermarkets to big ones like getting a full-time job or PR, require us lots of endeavors and patience. However, Resilience is my keyword. I could not overcome all difficult times, stay positive, and gain achievements without it. After a hard time, now I am going to graduate, have a good part-time job at hospitals, and wonderful international friends. So you see, everything will be fine after all. I wish you all a lot of resilience on your way to success.

Pictured: Grace (front row, center) in a retreat trip sponsored by Atlantic Canada Study and Stay program at Annapolis Valey.

Q: What was the happiest moment of your life? It is when I stepped out of the plane at the Sydney airport two years ago and took the first fresh air of the land where I know would be my 2nd home. It was the most meaningful moment in my life. Q: What is your most important priority? While a full-time job is my top priority in the next 5 months, like other going-to-graduate students, I remind myself to enjoy every minute of my life. We do not know what happens tomorrow but we can be happy today. So why not enjoy it fully!

Grace (6th from left) performing in Hello Cape Breton festival

Q: What is your one take away from your time at CBU?

International academic environment. I miss our lovely campus so much! Thank you for giving me a chance to share my love with CBU.

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If you would like to nominate someone you know or yourself for the next #HumansofCBU post, please reach out to us at ct_editorinchief@cbu.ca