What Serving as Treasurer Taught Me About Leadership as an International Student
ConnectUs Blog Writer Lucia Kwag's Story
When I first arrived in Canada as an international student, I never imagined that one day I would be managing community funds, collaborating with municipal leaders, and later being elected Student Government Treasurer for my senior year.
Like many international students, I came to a new country carrying excitement, uncertainty, and countless questions about where I would fit in. Everything - from the education system to social norms - felt unfamiliar. Leadership opportunities seemed like something reserved for students who had grown up here, already understood the system, and felt naturally connected to their communities.
Over time, however, I learned that leadership is not about where you come from. It is about your willingness to contribute, learn, and create positive change.
My experience as Treasurer of the Mayor Youth's Action Team became one of the most meaningful chapters of that journey.
Finding My Place In a New Community
For many international students, adapting to a new environment can be challenging. Beyond academics, there is the task of building connections, understanding local communities, and finding opportunities to get involved.
When I joined the King City Mayor's Youth Action Team, I was looking for a way to contribute beyond the classroom. I wanted to better understand the community around me and participate in initiatives that could make a difference for others.
What I did not expect was how much the experience would shape my understanding of leadership.
As Treasurer, I was entrusted with managing a $5,000 budget dedicated to youth-focused initiatives. My responsibilities included allocating funds, tracking expenditures, and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of programs in collaboration with municipal leaders.
For someone who once felt like an outsider navigating an unfamiliar system, being trusted with this responsibility was both exciting and humbling.
Leadership Beyond the Spreadsheet
At first glance, budgeting may seem like a role centered entirely around numbers. In reality, every financial decision represented something much larger.
Our team worked on initiatives such as the Youth Opportunity Fair and the Senior Card/Youth Card program - projects designed to strengthen community engagement and provide valuable resources for residents.
Managing funds required more than simply balancing a budget. It involved asking important questions:
Which programs will create the greatest impact?
How can limited resources serve the most people?
What investments will benefit our community in the long term?
Through these experiences, I learned that leadership often happens behind the scenes. It is found in thoughtful planning, responsible decision-making, and ensuring that ideas have the resources needed to succeed.
Why This Matters for International Students
One of the greatest challenges international students face is overcoming the feeling that they do not fully belong.
It can be intimidating to step into leadership spaces when you are still learning how a new community operates. There are moments when language differences, cultural adjustments, or unfamiliar systems make participation feel more difficult.
That is why opportunities like these matter.
Serving on a municipal youth council showed me that meaningful contributions are not limited by where someone was born or how long they have lived in a country. Diverse perspectives strengthen communities, and international students have valuable experiences and ideas to share.
For me, being entrusted with managing public funds was more than a leadership position - it was a reminder that I belonged in the conversations shaping my community.
A New Chapter: Student Government Treasurer
This year, I was honored to be elected Student Government Treasurer for 2026-2027 year.
Receiving this opportunity feels especially meaningful because it reflects the growth that began with my involvement in municipal youth leadership. The skills I developed - financial responsibility, collaboration, accountability, and communication - have prepared me to continue serving my school community in a new way.
As an international student, this achievement represents more than a title. It represents the confidence to pursue leadership opportunities, contribute to my community, and challenge the belief that newcomers must wait before making an impact.
The Importance of Representation
At ConnectUs International, we believe that young people have access to opportunities regardless of their background.
Too often, international students underestimate their potential to become leaders within their schools and communities. We focus on adapting to new environments, succeeding academically, and finding our place. In the process, we sometimes forget that our perspectives are valuable.
My journey from newcomer to municipal youth leader and elected student government representative has taught me that leadership is not defined by where you start - it is defined by the impact you choose to make.
To every international student reading this: your voice matters. Your experiences matter. And your background is not a barrier to leadership - it can be one of your greatest strengths.
Sometimes, the first step toward belonging is realizing that you already have something meaningful to contribute.
Insightful story that can motivate international students 👏