Meet the 2024 McCall MacBain International Fellows

Magdelena: Georgian Bluffs, Ontario

Studies: Medical Sciences at Dalhousie University

Fellowship year: Portuguese in Portugal

Magdelena grew up exploring the scenic outdoors of the Bruce Peninsula and has continued to be driven by sports and physical activity. She volunteers with Special Olympics Nova Scotia to engage individuals with intellectual disabilities through community, teamwork, and movement. She enjoys being engaged with the community through volunteer work, playing various competitive sports, and spending time outdoors. Magdelena’s interest in healthcare led her to volunteer in hospitals and research labs directed towards advancing scientific advancements in medicine. She is now heading to Europe for her first time, to learn Portuguese in Portugal.

Alexandra: Niagara Falls, Ontario

Studies: BA Honours in Child and Family Studies Concurrent Education at Nipissing University

Fellowship year: Spanish in Spain

Alexandra started playing basketball at age five and learnt valuable lessons on teamwork and persistence. She is now an active member of her university community, giving tours to potential students as a Student Recruitment Ambassador and finding partnerships and sponsors as part of the Relay For Life Committee supporting the Canadian Cancer Society. While home from school, she works with the Niagara School Board as an instructor for children from kindergarten to grade 8. During the summer, she has taught dance classes to children and is a supervisor at a day camp

Claire: Calgary, Alberta

Studies: Industrial Engineering at Dalhousie University

Fellowship year: Italian in Italy

Claire discovered the impact engineering could have on people’s lives when she volunteered to go to Honduras to design a new water system for communities with unreliable water supply. She continued to pursue other opportunities to use her skills and knowledge such as raising money for Atlantic Canada’s largest engineering competition and interning at an energy company to lead energy efficiency projects. Outside of her academic interests, Claire writes for a female-directed student magazine, plays intramural basketball, volunteers to cook for children at the Ronald MacDonald House, and has learned improv.

Connie: Niagara Falls, Ontario

Studies: Biomedical Science at the University of Guelph

Fellowship year: Korean in South Korea

Connie works to support Asian students to thrive on campus as part of the Canadian Asian Students’ Society. She spends time connecting with different campus groups while volunteering for initiatives such as the SEED Community Food Project, K-Pop Club, and the Global Medic Club. She enjoys playing the piano and has performed at festivals and musicals. She has worked at various optometry clinics and pharmacies while exploring these as career paths. In her free time, she learns different languages and skills, volunteers at summer music camps, and works on her entrepreneurial ventures including an Etsy store.

Gabriella: Montreal, Quebec

Studies: Teaching English as a Second Language at McGill University

Fellowship year: Spanish in Argentina

Gabriella uses language teaching as a means to strengthen connections between her students and their wider communities. Her curiosity and passion for language creates space for herself and her students to explore different cultural and linguistic heritages. Responding to the teacher shortage, she stepped into a full-time role within the Centre de services scolaires de Montreal and is now substitute teaching as she finishes her degree. As a queer advocate, she has also helped maintain safe spaces that offer gender-affirming resources and products for students on campus.

Janvi: Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario

Studies: Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo

Fellowship year: Spanish in Spain

Janvi has worked on UX research for various institutions including theScore Media and Sun Life Canada. She is passionate about building next-generation products and has previously interned with the Royal Canadian Air Force. As one of the youngest members of the team, she helped develop leaner processes and design features for Dispatch, a flight admin and mission planning software. She uses her tech skills on projects for good as Co-Founder of Cycle Quest, a web-based game that educates teenagers on menstrual health. She also supports other students through mentoring, promoting initiatives for women in engineering, and arranging workshops for students interested in product design. Janvi has chaired the Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council in Niagara-on-the-lake, leading various initiatives including annual mental health and wellness conferences for local youth.

Keith: Toronto, Ontario

Studies: Double Major in Religious Studies and Political Science with a Minor in South Studies at McGill University

Fellowship year: Hindi in India

Keith has served as the Chair of the Youth Advisory Council and a Member of the Strategic Advisory Council at the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Canada contributing to policies around education and online safety. He was elected President of the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association where he worked on inclusion initiatives for 2SLGBTQ+ students across Catholic schools. Prior to that, he worked and succeeded at getting recognition for Pride Month and the Pride Flag in Toronto Catholic Schools at just 16 years old. Since then, he has continued to push for policy change in his various roles. At McGill, Keith is a Floor Fellow in residences, and he leads events for the McGill Policy Association engaging students on key policy issues such as AI, healthcare, and housing.

Madeline: Vancouver, British Columbia

Major in History and a Minor in Psychology and Management at McGill University

Fellowship year: Spanish in Costa Rica

Maddy was a Girl Guide for over twelve years and worked to inspire the spirit of community service in other young girls as a Volunteer Leader with the Girl Guides of Canada. She grew up in North Vancouver surrounded by forests, with a love for the outdoors that she now shares with young campers, who she provides support and leadership training as a Volunteer Counsellor with the Youth Excellence Society. Maddy is also an athlete: she works as a Lifeguard and Instructor at the local YMCA, has trained for half-marathons, is part of the McGill Ultimate Frisbee team, and spends her summers exploring and camping.

Maia: Oakville, Ontario

Studies: Biology Research at McMaster University

Fellowship year: Spanish in Argentina

Maia is an ambitious tennis player and Captain of the McMaster Women’s Tennis Team. On campus, she adds to student life by supporting the planning of Welcome Week, working in the communications function for the Varsity Leadership Committee, and doing outreach and mobilization for Relay For Life, an effort to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. Pursuing her love for sports, previously, Maia worked as a Lead Camp Counsellor for a local club, coaching beginner tennis and golf. She has also contributed to community life through beach cleanups and environmental awareness activities

Martín: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Studies: International Business & Finance at the University of Manitoba

Fellowship year: Korean in South Korea

Martín is the Vice President of Finance at the Association of International Management Students at his university, helping incoming international students build meaningful connections. A passionate tennis and basketball player, he mixes his love for sports and business through the University of Manitoba Sports Business Association that he founded. Having grown up in the Argentinian and Jewish communities of Winnipeg, he actively volunteers with B’nai Brith and as a basketball coach at his Alma Mater. He has interned with IG Wealth Management, where he led an internal sustainability project. This summer, Martín is working in the finance department at Neptune Properties and at Sportable as a Gameday Operator, where he assists in setting up the ball tracking technology for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers home games.

Matthew: Waterloo, Ontario

Studies: Economics and Mathematics at McGill University

Fellowship year: Mandarin in China

Matthew grew up in Waterloo, ON surrounded by technological advancements and a deep-rooted sense of community. These perspectives have shaped his time at McGill where he studies mathematics and economics while being co-president of the Meditation Club, building a space for students to connect and rejuvenate. He also works as a floor fellow in residence and volunteers to provide safe nighttime driving service for students. In high school, Matthew organized mini-camps for CISV, an organization that delivers cultural and educational programming to promote peace. He worked as a Data Analyst last summer, gaining experience in data visualization and product management.

Mayra: Montreal, Quebec

Studies: Management with a Major in Marketing at McGill University

Fellowship year: Japanese in Japan

Mayra is passionate about intercultural learning and creative arts. As President of K-Rave McGill, a Korean pop club, she used entertainment to foster connections between diverse students. She is a competitive dancer, who manages people and conceptualizes dance showcases with large troupes, merging creativity with organizational skills. She has held various roles upskilling herself in graphic design and digital marketing and has increased visibility for the McGill Business Review through outreach and social media strategy. She is the Founder of Maystick, a business that creates and produces unique sticker designs. She has worked part-time since 2021 as a graphic designer and digital marketing specialist.

Monique: Terrebonne, Quebec

Studies: Major in Anatomy and Cell Biology with a Minor in Management at McGill University

Fellowship year: Mandarin in Taiwan

Monique grew up in Chicago before moving to Montreal in primary school. She works as a Hospital Volunteer and Research Assistant at the University of Montreal Health Center, where she assists patients and visitors with various informational needs and conducts outreach to participants for research. Previously, she worked at a psychiatric office in a Montreal hospital as an Administrative Assistant, helping schedule appointments, finding the right doctors based on patient needs, and communicating with medical staff and patients promptly. She has also worked part-time as a cashier and has tutored high school students in French and science. Since coming to McGill, Monique has built connections in her new university community, including through the Black Youth Excellence Program organized by the Afro-descendent Leadership Alliance, which organizes workshops on networking and communications.

Sara: Ottawa, Ontario

Studies: Commerce at McMaster University

Fellowship year: Japanese in Japan

Sara has been engaged in community service since a young age. As a teenager, she worked at a retirement home providing service to residents. Learning key lessons in relationship building, she started volunteering with Glamour Gals, a McMaster student group that gives makeovers to seniors at a nursing home, sharing with them joy and company. Sara has also worked as a Childcare Educator with the YMCA helping engage children with innovative activities. Driven by curiosity and willingness to learn, she volunteered for the Rimini Meeting, an annual Catholic festival held in Italy where she had the opportunity to interact with visitors and staff and learn about Italian culture.

Sarah: Coquitlam, British Columbia

Studies: Major in International Development Studies and a Minor in Philosophy at McGill University

Fellowship year: Spanish in Colombia

Sarah holds various leadership roles, including Vice President of the McGill International Development Studies Students’ Association and the McGill Students for Open Door Montréal, where she enhances her knowledge of development issues and leads a student volunteering effort at a homeless shelter. Last summer, she worked as a settlement worker with Options Community Services, helping new immigrants find employment. She was also the Advisory Council Co-chair of the Canadian Advisory for Women Immigrants, a youth-led organization that empowers and advocates for immigrant women. Her interest in international development led her to the McGill Youth Advisory Delegation where she served as a Delegate to the United Nations focused on youth-centered policy and advocacy. She enjoys playing water polo and coaches a local Montreal team dedicated to the queer community.

Sarah: Montreal, Quebec

Studies: Social Work at McGill University

Fellowship year: Spanish in Uruguay

Sarah’s passion for helping underserved populations has led them to be highly engaged in community-building, social work, and advocacy on and off campus. While at Cégep Marie-Victorin, Sarah co-founded an LGBTQ2S+ committee and advocated for safe spaces, including a gender-neutral washroom, while organizing charity and recreational events to help members bond. They currently volunteer at Maison d’Hérelle, providing social and physical support to residents living with HIV/AIDS. Sarah participated in a cultural immersion experience in Vietnam where they studied Vietnamese, taught English, and worked at a local lantern shop. Upon returning, they continued learning the language and worked at the Vietnamese Community Resource Centre in Montreal. Sarah was also an AAA-level swimmer.

Sophie: Newmarket, Ontario

Studies: Engineering Physics at McMaster University

Fellowship year: Japanese in Japan

Sophie builds innovative technological interventions to create an impact. As the Director of Web Development and UX with How2Univeristy, a student-led e-learning platform, Sophie builds technology to provide incoming students with information on post-secondary institutions. She worked as an Energy Analyst at a local design firm, supporting city officials and builders to achieve their net-zero and LEED goals. Sophie spends her summers improving her skills while working on new initiatives including building drones from 3-D printed parts, creating machine learning functions, and designing data visualization models for personal economics. She has also worked part-time as a cashier and as support staff at a fitness centre. She has been learning Japanese in her free time and wants to finally explore the culture while developing her language skills.

Tazeen: Brampton, Ontario

Studies: Honours in Integrated Science with a Concentration in Biology at McMaster University

Fellowship year: French in France

Tazeen is involved in various peer activities helping young students find meaningful connections and support. As Resident Advisor, she organized events to help increase students’ sense of belonging, helping them navigate the challenges of university life. An active volunteer within the Ismaili community, she has helped fundraise for the World Partnership Walk for poverty alleviation and has been a Summer Camp Counsellor, helping create a safe and encouraging environment for young campers. During COVID-19, Tazeen volunteered at a local hospital to support with vaccine appointments, screening, and customer service. At McMaster, she also serves as the Vice-President of Sponsorships for Model United Nations.