CREDIT: STEPHANIE LAI
Rumman Ullah Khan loves the cold and hopes to be in Canada for a long time.

He’s living the Canadian dream – and winning awards left, right and centre. Rumman Ullah Khan arrived to Canada in 2012 and enrolled into Fanshawe’s Business Marketing program.

Khan was set with a business degree from his home country Pakistan and came to Canada to eventually pursue an MBA, so he opted to do co-op terms while at Fanshawe.

“You need really good job experience, especially in a western country like Canada or somewhere in Europe,” Khan said. “You not only gain experience, you can make connections, network.”

“How much I will be paid is really secondary. [The experience] is more important for me.”

Khan’s approach to school and co-op translates into his volunteer work.

“Volunteering is really important,” he said. “You’re still getting experience … [and] it looks great on your resume.”

Khan has also volunteered in the London community.

His involvement in the city and his work ethic has garnered attention. So much so, that he has received eight awards for his academic achievements and volunteer work.

Most recently, Khan was awarded the Co-op Student of the Year award from the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE). The award commemorates a student who has “a significant impact in their co-op placement, high academic performance … and making a difference in their communities.”

“It’s really a huge honour for me,” he said. “Everything has been fantastic so far, and I could not believe … sometimes I think I’m still in Pakistan. I’m dreaming here.”

Khan says he doesn’t do anything for awards.

“I have never done the volunteer work or community involvement for awards,” he said. “Even if I knew, I would not have done it for the sake of awards. It makes me happy and satisfied to help people.”

Khan is in Canada on his own and misses his family.

“It’s not that I don’t miss [them]. I am working hard to achieve my goals, and I have formed my family right here in Canada at Fanshawe, the London community,” he said. “I’m so happy and satisfied.”

He awaits his final grades to come in from his final exchange term in Wales before his name is put under the list of graduating students.

Khan says he will apply for a post-graduate work permit to stay in Canada for another three years at least. Then he will find a full-time job to improve his skills and gain more experience.