Sushruti arrived in Canada from India in December 2023.

As a newcomer, she recognized the need for settlement support, which led her to discover Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC). She scheduled an appointment with a Gateway Newcomer Planner, who provided her with valuable resources to assist with her settlement.

The Planner also suggested that Sushruti consider volunteering to improve her job prospects and expand her network. Following this advice, she became an ISC volunteer in June 2024.

Since joining ISC’s volunteer team, Sushruti has worked mainly with the Interpretation and Translation Centre due to her proficiency in four languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, and Kannada.

Mihaela Turtureanu, the Interpretation & Translation Centre manager at ISC, commends Sushruti for her dedication to the team. “Sushruti approached every task with passion and consistently exceeded expectations,” she stated.

As of December 2024, Sushruti has completed approximately 130 volunteer hours at ISC. This experience has given her a better understanding of Canadian work culture and led to her employment with another organization.

Sushruti plans to continue volunteering at ISC because she learns a lot from her interactions with ISC staff and clients. “Volunteering here allows me to contribute to society and brings me immense happiness,” she said.