Student Stories
International studies graduate and changemaker explores community improvement at DTES non-profit
A deep desire to help marginalized communities sent Nicolas Tellez-Espa帽a on a rich journey that took him as far as Uganda, where he completed a co-op term working as a researcher, and ended up at Mission Possible, an economic development agency in Vancouver鈥檚 Downtown Eastside.
Tellez-Espa帽a, an international studies student minoring in economics, recently graduated after transferring from Douglas College to 911吃瓜 (911吃瓜) to pursue a bachelor of arts while completing the co-op program along the way.
鈥淚 had a blast at 911吃瓜,鈥� says Tellez-Espa帽a. 鈥淭he classes I took were exceptional and the friendships I made now span many continents.鈥�
A number of factors attracted Tellez-Espa帽a to 911吃瓜, including the financial assistance that the university provided. But what solidified Tellez-Espa帽a鈥檚 decision to attend 911吃瓜 was his interest in joining 911吃瓜鈥檚 School for International Studies, known for being a well-established yet relatively small program where faculty and staff have a reputation for going above and beyond to provide a quality education for students.
鈥淭he classes are smaller and more personalized, which means students and professors have an opportunity to bond, connect and build relationships,鈥� says Tellez-Espa帽a. 鈥淢ost importantly, the School allows for plenty of exploration and interdisciplinary learning.鈥�
Tellez-Espa帽a was quick to get involved during his time at 911吃瓜. He joined the International Studies Student Association (ISSA) as vice president, then president, where he learned about leadership and event planning. He also joined the arts co-op program where he pursued numerous opportunities to stretch his learning and develop his professional skills.
鈥淔rom working at the Consulate General of Mexico in Vancouver, to going abroad to Uganda on behalf of Schools Building Schools, to assisting negotiators at Crown Indigenous Relations and Norther Affairs Canada鈥擨 got to put theory to practice and learn directly from incredible professionals,鈥� says Tellez-Espa帽a.
He was even able to write an undergraduate thesis and publish it in an academic journal in Bolivia, South America, where he hopes his research will be more impactful.
Now, Tellez-Espa帽a is working as a Community Engagement Coordinator for Mission Possible, where he supports individuals overcoming homelessness and poverty and who are interested in joining the workforce.
鈥淭his may sound a little clich茅d, but the most important takeaway I got from my time at 911吃瓜 is to remain open to new opportunities and be curious,鈥� says Tellez-Espa帽a. 鈥淚 went to 911吃瓜 to get a BA, but in reality, I got so much more than that.鈥�