In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Pat Chaisang, Co-founder & CEO of Wayble, shares her inspiring journey as an international student and the creation of Canada’s first EdTech platform dedicated to supporting international students.
From overcoming barriers to career success to offering culturally sensitive mentorship, Wayble is redefining the path for international students in Canada. With a mission to bridge gaps and empower students, Pat’s leadership is driving innovative solutions that not only help students thrive academically but also secure meaningful careers.
Pat Chaisang is the Co-founder & CEO of Wayble, Canada’s first EdTech solution dedicated to the success of international students. Drawing from her personal journey as an international student from Thailand, Pat experienced firsthand the challenges of building a career and professional network in a new country. This inspired her to create Wayble, a platform designed to empower international students to achieve their full potential and stop settling for less.
Under Pat’s leadership, Wayble bridges gaps in the international student ecosystem, using technology to help higher education institutions scale holistic support services. By fostering connections and opportunities, Wayble equips students to build thriving careers and meaningful lives in Canada.
Professionally, Pat brings a wealth of experience in product management, marketing, eCommerce, and program management, having worked with leading technology brands and retailers. She previously served as a Product Manager at TELUS, where she managed digital products, drove personalization strategies, and championed exceptional customer experiences. Prior to that, Pat oversaw advertising and eCommerce business operations at Best Buy Canada and began her career at SAP, where she built a global community of developers and evangelists.Through Wayble and her professional expertise, Pat is on a mission to redefine international student success in Canada.
Wayble recently acquired PsyMood to enhance mental health and mentorship support for international students. How does this integration address the unique challenges faced by international students in Canada, particularly in light of recent policy changes?
International students frequently encounter challenges such as culture shock, language barriers, and unfamiliar educational expectations, which can lead to isolation, anxiety, and stress. Despite these added stressors, international students are unlikely to access campus mental health services. The primary reasons included stigma, lack of awareness about available resources, and cultural differences in perceived mental health.
With the integration of PsyMood’s diverse team of mental health practitioners, career coaches, and mentors into Wayble’s platform, international students now have access to tailored support that respects their language, culture, and faith. These essential services are designed to help students navigate the challenges of adapting to a new environment, including building social networks and connecting with mentors—critical factors for successful integration and overall well-being.
Since the policy change around the international student cap and constant immigration changes, several of Wayble’s partner institutions expressed an increase in international students seeking mental health support. Wayble is acutely aware of the many challenges students face, such as rising living costs, shifting immigration policies, and high youth unemployment.
The integration of PsyMood comes at a crucial time, addressing critical gaps in traditional support systems and ensuring that international students receive enhanced mental health resources and culturally relevant mentoring. With this expanded offering, Wayble is better equipped to help students build a strong foundation for success, empowering them to overcome obstacles and fully integrate into their new academic and professional communities.
Your platform connects over 70,000 international students with employers and resources. Can you share a specific success story that exemplifies how Wayble has helped an international student overcome barriers and achieve their career goals in Canada?
One of our most proud accomplishments is a moment in which our students informed us about their employment opportunities, to know that we’ve changed lives!
Over the past year and a half, we have been partnering up with Business Higher Education Roundtable with support from the Government of Canada to deliver a flagship program, the Career Pathway Program, in which we have placed over 400 international students into companies to gain their first Canadian experience. As part of this program, participating students received training and access to Wayble’s international student success platform, connected with mentors, and completed a 2-week industry project to equip themselves with working with Canadian employers.
Our program gave international students opportunities to showcase their skills, increase their chances of integrating into the workforce, and reduce the cultural barriers for both students and employers. More importantly, several students have reached out to us and mentioned that the participating employers provided return job offers or that they were able to use their project experience to gain long-term employment after the program completion.
Wayble emphasizes culturally sensitive support across 45 countries and 43 languages. How do you ensure that this diverse approach translates into tangible benefits for both students and partnering institutions?
At Wayble, we understand that no two international students are the same. Canada is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and students come with different backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and experiences that shape their needs. A cookie-cutter approach to student support simply doesn’t work.
That’s why we emphasize culturally sensitive support, ensuring students receive guidance that aligns with their unique cultural, academic, and career journeys. Whether it’s mentorship, career advice, or immigration support, students get personalized assistance that considers their lifecycle, background, and goals, making the guidance more relevant and impactful.
For institutions, this means stronger student engagement, higher retention rates, and better post-graduation success. By offering tailored, culturally competent support, Wayble helps institutions enhance the student experience, improve outcomes, and differentiate themselves in the competitive international education landscape. Plus, our real-time data tracking empowers institutions to measure impact and refine their strategies proactively.
Ultimately, Wayble ensures that every student gets the support they need to thrive not just to stay in Canada, but to contribute meaningfully to its workforce and society.
With the launch of Wayble PRO in response to evolving immigration policies, how are you helping international students navigate the changing landscape of in-demand careers while supporting Canada’s labor market needs?
With evolving immigration policies placing a greater emphasis on in-demand careers, Wayble PRO was designed to help international students navigate these changes while also supporting Canada’s labor market needs.
Wayble PRO provides students with access to exclusive job opportunities, industry mentorship, and career development resources tailored to high-demand sectors. We help them make informed decisions about their career paths, aligning their skills with immigration pathways to increase their chances of securing employment and staying in Canada post-graduation.
Recognizing that many institutions are facing budget constraints due to policy changes, we are also offering Wayble PRO through our partner institutions at no cost to them. This allows schools to provide much-needed career and immigration support for their international students without additional financial strain, ultimately improving retention, student satisfaction, and post-graduation success.
For employers, Wayble PRO serves as a direct pipeline to skilled, job-ready international talent, helping them fill critical labor shortages. By facilitating these connections, we ensure that international students aren’t just studying in Canada, they’re building meaningful careers that align with both their aspirations and the country’s workforce needs.
As a former international student yourself, what advice would you give to Canadian SMBs looking to tap into the diverse talent pool of international graduates, especially in sectors facing skills shortages?
As a former international student, I know firsthand the challenges that many graduates face when trying to break into the Canadian job market. I came to Canada 12 years ago and I spoke broken English and struggled to just land a minimum-wage survival job. At the same time, I’ve seen how international talent can bring fresh perspectives, diverse skill sets, and a strong drive to succeed, qualities that are invaluable to Canadian SMBs, especially in sectors facing skill shortages.
My advice to SMBs is to recognize the potential of international graduates and take proactive steps to integrate them into their workforce. This means:
- Looking Beyond “Canadian Experience” – Many international graduates have relevant global experience, technical skills, and adaptability that can be a huge asset. For example, over 60% of our candidates have over 5+ years of experience and are willing to relocate for the right opportunities. Instead of focusing solely on Canadian work history, assess candidates based on their skills, problem-solving abilities, and eagerness to learn.
- Leveraging Immigration Pathways – Programs like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and employer-supported PR pathways make it easier than ever for businesses to hire and retain international graduates. Understanding these options can help SMBs secure long-term talent.
- Creating Inclusive Workplaces – International graduates may need some initial support adjusting to Canadian workplace culture, but small efforts like mentorship programs or onboarding initiatives can go a long way in helping them thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Ultimately, international graduates represent a highly motivated, diverse, and skilled talent pool that can help SMBs grow, innovate, and fill critical labor gaps. By tapping into this talent, businesses aren’t just solving their workforce needs, they’re also investing in the future of Canada’s economy.
