Throughout the year, we feature Crandall alumni by sharing their stories. Spotlight stories keep us connected with our alums, highlighting what they have been doing since leaving Crandall and how their time at Crandall has influenced their lives during and after their studies.

Today’s Alumni Spotlight Story features Nicole Odishaw, who graduated in 2019 with a BA in Psychology and 2020 with a BEd.

I graduated from Crandall with a BA in Psychology in 2019 and a Concurrent BEd in 2020. My journey since then has been filled with meaningful experiences and personal growth.

After finishing my teaching internship in December 2019, I went backpacking in Thailand. While there, a friend told me about teaching opportunities in Vietnam. The idea of living abroad and experiencing a new culture had always been a dream of mine, and it sounded much better than returning home to face another Canadian winter! I decided to give it a try and arrived in Vietnam just as the pandemic hit. Despite the uncertainty, I chose to stay—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

For the past five years, I’ve been living in Hanoi, Vietnam and loving every moment of it. I currently teach first grade at St. Mary’s International School, where my students come from diverse backgrounds around the world. I feel like I learn as much from them as they learn from me. Teaching in such a vibrant, multicultural environment has been a privilege, and the hustle and bustle of Hanoi adds a unique energy to my daily life.

Looking back, my time at Crandall played a huge role in preparing me for where I am today. Crandall gave me the tools to build meaningful relationships with my students and create an inclusive, student-centered classroom. The program emphasized 21st-century learning skills and hands-on teaching approaches that have become the foundation of my practice. I often think about how much my education at Crandall shaped me as a teacher. When I stepped into my first classroom, I felt prepared and confident, and I owe that to the amazing professors and comprehensive training I received.

My path to Crandall wasn’t straightforward. I’m originally from Moncton, NB, and I started my university journey at Mount Allison University. However, I quickly realized that science wasn’t the right fit for me. I’d always loved working with kids – whether as a camp counsellor at Camp Wildwood or coordinating activities for the City of Moncton – and I’d dreamed of becoming a teacher. One day, while working at a restaurant, I ran into Matt Robertson, a Crandall alumnus and someone I knew from my church. He told me all about Crandall’s Concurrent Education program, and at that moment, I knew it was where I needed to be.

At Crandall, I was inspired by so many people. Professors like Stacie Reck, Ken Frost, Keith and Coreen Bodner, and Wendy Bokhorst-Heng made learning engaging and practical. Graeme Ching’s TESL training prepared me for teaching English as a second language, which has been crucial for my work abroad. Elissa Rodkey supported me in developing my understanding of psychology, which has helped me meet the social-emotional needs of my students. Each of these mentors left a lasting impact on me and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams.

Living and working overseas has broadened my horizons in ways I never imagined. I’m passionate about encouraging others to consider teaching abroad—it’s an experience that changes you and opens your mind to new perspectives. That said, I’m looking forward to returning to Moncton next year to bring everything I’ve learned back to my community. Crandall gave me the tools to explore the world, and now I’m excited to apply those lessons at home.

My journey from Moncton to Vietnam and back has been full of challenges, growth, and joy. I’m so grateful for the foundation Crandall gave me and the incredible adventures that followed.