Jose Javier Pineda
When Jose Javier Pineda, BSc’11, BEd’11, applied to be an international peer guide during his third year at Western, his goal was to share what he knew about living in London and Canada.
What he didn’t know at the time was how that experience would open the door to a world of new opportunities for him, as well.
“I was an immigrant and had moved to Canada when I was five years old. So, I was quite young, but I knew how difficult it can be to move to a new country and not know anyone,” he said. “I grew up in London, so I thought being a peer guide would be a really great way to get involved with the campus and actually show students coming into Western a little bit about our city.”
Thinking back to some of the “firsts” for the international students he met as part of the program, including trips to local parks and attractions and playing in the snow, Pineda says the experience helped him to improve his interpersonal skills.
“I don't want to say I was shy, but I definitely sometimes tended to stay in my own little bubble and in my comfort zone, said Pineda, who completed a concurrent education program majoring in math and education.
“Being a peer guide exposed me to new ideas and new cultures. And it made me more comfortable just speaking to people from all walks of life – because everyone had a really interesting story to tell. Being in the program made me less scared to step out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to try to connect with new people.”
Hearing all the stories about other cultures also led to him catching the travel bug himself. When a fellow former peer guide who had come to Canada from Europe mentioned English-teaching opportunities abroad to him, Pineda did some research. Following his graduation from teacher’s college, he decided to take a job in Sweden, where he taught for three years. During that time, he was also able to visit other friends from the program in France and Germany, as well.
“While I was in the program, I realized I hadn’t travelled and wanted to. I’d always loved learning about new countries, but I’d never had the chance to travel. After hearing about all the other amazing experiences others had, I was keen to travel too. It was an amazing experience.”
Since moving back to London eight years ago, Pineda has taught in both elementary and high schools. Recently, he moved into a new role as Curriculum Coordinator of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusivity with the London District Catholic School Board, which he calls a great opportunity to learn and connect with the broader community.
“This role actually really lines up well with what it was to be a peer guide, in terms of being inclusive and helping people who are transitioning to a new country,” he said. “It’s interesting how it all works out and how life takes you in a certain way and you think, ‘I wonder why I ended up here and having this experience?’ But, then everything works out in the end and it all makes sense. I was driven towards learning about new cultures and travelling while I was a peer guide and it’s all led to where I am now.”
