Thank you FutureBound Concordia, Rosalia Felice & Concordia University for such a meaningful & thoughtfully curated event. Congratulations to all the speakers who shared such honest, reflective, and inspiring perspectives: Congratulations to Abir Rhaouti for illuminating "Emotional intelligence: The emotions we never learned to name: The greatest barrier in our relationships isn’t communication itself, but the emotions we struggle to name and navigate. Emotional intelligence is what turns disconnection into understanding"; Alexia Hacikyan for gently challenging the way we chase the future at the cost of the present moment by shedding lights on "Your vision board is wrong: A reflection on how we chase what’s next, and how that might be costing us the present"; Amandeep Kaur for a deeply moving reflection on the idea of "What does it mean to have a home: There’s a saying in Punjabi that says “Kudi da koi ghar ni hunda.” (A woman doesn’t really have a home)" to shed some precious tears and recall memorable moments back home, Juliette Thomas who nailed it with her timely message on "Becoming rejection-proof: Rejection and how it actually helps us grow, even if it feels uncomfortable" - Juliette Thomas, your words truly stayed with me; Karolina Dobiszewska, your deeply compelling message:“If not through the door, then through the window,” felt incredibly personal to me. Your words on resilience, fearlessness, and creating one’s own opportunities stayed with me long after the event ended. Because of that reminder to keep trying and not give up, I did not give up - I kept on even when it felt uncertain. Karolina, today I want to thank you sincerely - on April 23, 2026, I received confirmation of the Lonergan Graduate Scholar Award from my Graduate Program Director. Karolina Dobiszewska, your message made a real difference in my journey, and I carry it forward with gratitude. Margot Servignat for bringing such engaging insight into "Sales and impostor syndrome: Human-centric approach in a technology-driven world: How learning to sell efficiently helps in everyday life"; Miranda Noelia Bellido Rosas for encouraging us to step beyond comfort and choose courage by speaking on "Take the leap: How stepping outside your comfort zone unlocks opportunity: Growth begins where certainty ends. Choose courage over comfort"; Nicolas Garcia Cerda who was at his humourous best during his presentation on, "The Hidden Cost of Opportunities: Opportunities are a great thing. We are encouraged to take them and focus on the end result. But there is something else unspoken about them... I wonder what it is" and Walid Berrahma for offering a unique and moving perspective on , "Emotions through video games: To show emotions through a different lens." #StudentVoices #Inspiration #Resilience #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Courage #NeverGiveUp #ScholarshipJourney #AcademicLife #Community #Storytelling #SelfReflection #GrowthMindset #MontrealStudents #KeepGoing
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Huge congratulations to our 2026 SkillXchange cohort for impactful speakers!
Take a look at the photos captured by Alessia B. at their showcase event on April 10.
Each participant shared powerful, engaging stories inspired by their lived experience – stories of courage, resilience, wisdom and compassion, all delivered with a touch of humor.
Read short descriptions of the talks below:
Abir Rhaouti: Emotional intelligence: The emotions we never learned to name
→ The greatest barrier in our relationships isn’t communication itself, but the emotions we struggle to name and navigate. Emotional intelligence is what turns disconnection into understanding.
Alexia Hacikyan: Your vision board is wrong
→ A reflection on how we chase what’s next, and how that might be costing us the present.
Amandeep Kaur: What does it mean to have a home
→ There’s a saying in Punjabi that says “Kudi da koi ghar ni hunda.” (A woman doesn’t really have a home).
Juliette Thomas: Becoming rejection-proof
→ Rejection and how it actually helps us grow, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Karolina Dobiszewska: If not through the door, then through the window
→ A journey through resilience, fearlessness and the courage to create your own
opportunities.
Margot Servignat: Sales and impostor syndrome
→ Human-centric approach in a technology-driven world: How learning to sell efficiently helps in everyday life.
Miranda Noelia Bellido Rosas: Take the leap: How stepping outside your comfort zone unlocks opportunity
→ Growth begins where certainty ends. Choose courage over comfort.
Nicolas Garcia Cerda: The Hidden Cost of Opportunities
→ Opportunities are a great thing. We are encouraged to take them and focus on the end result. But there is something else unspoken about them... I wonder what it is.
Walid Berrahma: Emotions through video games
→ To show emotions through a different lens.
Rosalia Felice, Andrea Taylor, Pierre Foret, Kimmy Dao, Maya Lach-Aidelbaum, Antonella Nizzola, Kristel Kabigting, Julia Stein, Sarah Sullivan, Antoine B., Concordia University
#CUFutureBound #SkillDevelopment #StudentSuccess #CareerDevelopment #Communication #PublicSpeaking
