Turning My Journey into a Mission of Helping Others
By: Majdi Nawfal
It was last May when I received an email that changed my entire view of my life journey so far. Once I opened the email, I realized it was a nomination for a student leadership award at Sheridan College. At first, I didn’t know who had nominated me, but later I found out it was one of the students I had helped navigate the Canadian education system. I had guided him through registering at Sheridan via Ontario Colleges and applying for OSAP. Although I didn’t win the award, the nomination itself felt like the ultimate recognition—a reminder of the impact I’d made by helping others take their first steps into education in Canada.
My journey of supporting students started four years ago when I realized newcomers coming to Canada often don’t know about OSAP and other resources that are available to them. As someone who arrived in Canada 7 years ago from Syria as a refugee, I understood how overwhelming it is to start fresh in a new country. Like many newcomers, I spent my first two years in Canada struggling to find stable work and figure out my path. At one point, I was even driving for Uber to make ends meet. Then, someone told me about OSAP, and it became a turning point. I decided to pursue my education. First at Humber College in IT and web development, then at triOS College for digital marketing, and finally at Sheridan College to study project management.
Becoming More Than A Student
When I arrived at Sheridan, I quickly realized it wasn’t just a place to earn a certificate, but was a space for growth, connections and real-life experiences. I first joined the Peer Mentor Program to help fellow students, especially newcomers, who were struggling to navigate Sheridan’s non-academic support services. It felt incredible to be on the other side, offering guidance just as others had once helped me. Through this role, I became involved in the Sheridan community, which gave me a sense of purpose.
Later, I joined the Enactus Sheridan team as a project manager. I was invested in the initiative of developing Aidvisor, a project I really felt passionate about. This was an AI-driven virtual advisor to support students. The experience was so important to me as it taught me lessons about teamwork and leadership. Representing Sheridan College at the regional competition and bringing home a trophy for our project was so exciting! It wasn’t just about winning—it was about building something that could truly make a difference.
But the most defining part of my Sheridan experience was being elected as the President of the Sheridan EDGE Student Advisory Board. As students, we had the unique perspective of knowing what our peers needed, and I worked with the board to shape the incredible support Sheridan EDGE offers. It became more than just a place for me to complete my co-op but became the foundation for my entrepreneurial journey.
Turning Ideas into Impact
At Sheridan, the capstone project required for my program became the seed for my business, Aidvisor AI Solutions Inc. Initially designed to create an AI-driven virtual advisor for Sheridan EDGE, the project revealed its potential as a scalable solution for other organizations. With the guidance of the Sheridan EDGE Student Engagement team, I transformed this idea into a business. This included receiving mentorship, marketing support and opportunities to pitch my concept to investors. Starting a business while still a student wasn’t easy, but Sheridan provided the resources and encouragement I needed to succeed.
This wasn’t my first entrepreneurial venture. Before Aidvisor, I founded Edittive Inc., a consulting service aimed at helping newcomers navigate the Canadian education system. From guiding students through college applications to helping them secure OSAP funding, Edittive was my way of giving back to the community that had supported me. For refugee students, I provided these services free of charge, as a way to say thank you and pay it forward.
A Journey of Growth and Giving Back
My journey at Sheridan was about more than academics. It was about finding my voice, embracing leadership, and using my experiences to lift others. From mentoring students to launching Aidvisor, every step of my journey was fueled by a desire to make an impact. I started as someone rushing to class and going straight home but ended as someone deeply connected to the community, ready to give back and build something meaningful.
For me, Sheridan was not just a stepping stone, but it was the foundation for my transformation. It was the place where I became more than a student.
Do You Have an Entrepreneurial Spirit?
Got a great idea for a business but not sure how to bring it to life? From hands-on entrepreneurship mentorship to access to funding and expert advice, Sheridan EDGE has your back! Whether you need support with business strategy, measuring your impact, or getting the word out through marketing, Sheridan EDGE is your go-to spot for making things happen.
Follow Majdi’s journey from being a newcomer to Canada to supporting other students and joining Sheridan Edge as President of the Student Advisory Board. Let Majdi’s story motivate you to engage with your Sheridan community and navigate your own path to success!