The Student Refugee Program (SRP) is a resettlement program that provides refugee students an opportunity to pursue post-secondary studies in Canada. There are currently six students pursuing post-secondary studies at StFX via the SRP. StFX University waives tuition, residence and meal plan fees for SRP students’ first academic year. Money raised by the StFX WUSC Society, the bulk of which comes from a $8 levy that is part of the student union fee, pays for airfare, immigration fees, and costs associated with living on-campus during the summer. Fundraising activities make up the remainder including expenses faced by SRP students in their second, third, and fourth academic year. For more information on the WUSC, please visit their website. To learn more about StFX’s WUSC Society, please visit this page.
Simone Coco Beck arrived at StFX in the fall of 2022. Curious about campus societies and clubs, Simone, on the advice of a friend, joined the StFX World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Society.
As Simone began to take on responsibilities with the StFX WUSC Society she got to know the students. During our conversation Simone mentioned experiencing a “huge emotional connect” with one first-year refugee student in particular. This connection prompted Simone to focus additional energy on WUSC.
Simone is now StFX WUSC Society Co-President and has revamped the society’s fundraising approach. Previously focused on broadening campus awareness of WUSC, efforts have now spread to the wider Antigonish community. WUSC has had a regular presence at the Antigonish Farmers’ Market community table. This is a space to raise awareness about WUSC at StFX, the SRP, and broader WUSC initiatives. It also provides an opportunity to generate revenue. A December 2024 sustainable stocking stuffer fundraiser held in partnership with Henry Stratton, a start-up company that makes earth-friendly, hand-sewn, sustainable goods, led to $5 of purchase going to WUSC at StFX. Sales of hand-knitted baby clothing have been even more lucrative. 100% of these sales benefit WUSC at StFX.
The StFXAUT is a longstanding supporter of the StFX WUSC Society. This fall the StfXAUT presented the StFX WUSC Society with a $4000 cheque. This timely donation will help the StFX WUSC Society offset a raise to the monthly stipend that SRP students receive as part of their sponsorship. The stipend covers basic necessities, varies based on the community of settlement and province and was raised this year to meet Government of Canada requirements.
Readers can support the StFX WUSC Society by participating in the 2025 StFX WUSC Society Online Auction being held from February 21 to March 14, 2025. Local businesses and individuals have generously donated gift certificates, products or services to the StFX WUSC Society. Money raised will provide financial support to sponsored students.
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Past articles on WUSC
Summer 2019: https://www.stfxaut.ca/world-university-service-of-canada-wusc/
Winter 2018: https://www.stfxaut.ca/stfx-world-university-service-of-canada-wusc-society/