The program connects international students in Nova Scotia with employers in Atlantic Canada through short, project-based work experiences hosted on the Riipen platform.
What is the EduNova Study and Stay™ Career Connect program?
The EduNova Study and Stay™ Career Connect Program provides international students in Nova Scotia with an opportunity to gain real-world work experience by completing a short project with a company in Atlantic Canada.
Students will complete a 30-hour project through the Riipen platform. These projects allow you to apply your academic knowledge to real business challenges while developing practical skills and building professional connections.
Who is eligible to participate?
International students in the Study and Stay™ Nova Scotia program who hold a valid Study Permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit can participate.
Is this a paid opportunity?
No. The Career Connect projects are unpaid experiential learning opportunities.
These projects are designed to help you:
Gain hands-on professional experience
Build your resumé and portfolio
Develop in-demand skills
Connect with employers in Atlantic Canada
How much time will the project require?
Each project requires approximately 30 hours of work in total. We recommend aiming to finish the deliverables in 20-25 hours, saving the remaining hours to implement valuable employer feedback.
Projects are designed to be flexible so you can complete them alongside your academic commitments. You will be able to manage your time independently, within the cohort timeline, while working toward the project deliverables.
What kinds of projects are available?
Projects are offered by companies located in Atlantic Canada and may cover a range of business challenges. Examples include:
Process improvement initiatives
Artificial intelligence and emerging technology research
Digital marketing and social media strategy
Event planning and management
Data analysis and reporting
Market research
Business operations and strategy
Projects are designed to help you apply what you have learned in your studies to real workplace scenarios.
What If the Project Doesn’t Match My Exact Program or Skills?
That’s completely normal. These projects are designed to help you apply your learning in real workplace situations - even if the work is not an exact match to your studies or technical background.
The goal is to help you build:
Professional experience
Communication skills
Time management
Critical thinking and problem solving
Adaptability and workplace confidence
Teamwork and collaboration skills
You will also gain exposure to different industries, companies, and ways of working.
Many learners discover new interests or career paths through these experiences.
Will I work independently or with a team?
Students will work individually on their assigned projects.
While multiple students may work with the same company on different projects, each student is responsible for completing their own work and deliverables.
How do I create my Riipen account and self-assign to a project?
Please follow the instructions here to create your account and self-assign to a project. For additional support with your account and self-assigning to a project, please contact edunovacareerconnect@riipen.com or create a help-ticket by using the avocado button in the bottom right of the screen.
What if I don’t self-assign by the deadline?
If you do not self-assign by the deadline, you will lose your spot and be removed from the platform.
Can I switch projects after selecting?
No, you cannot switch projects after selecting.
How do I know I’ve successfully joined a project or team?
Once you’ve successfully joined a project on Riipen, you’ll see the project listed under “My Projects” with your assigned project visible. Ensure you sign program agreements, complete the pre-survey, and hit the “start project” button. You’ll also receive a confirmation email from Riipen, and your connection with the employer will be active so you can start communicating. If you’re unsure, you can always check your dashboard or reach out to Riipen support for confirmation.
What will I deliver at the end of the project?
Deliverables will vary depending on the project but may include:
Strategy reports or recommendations
Marketing or social media plans
Data analysis reports or dashboards
Market research findings
Process improvement proposals
Presentations or summaries for the employer
Note: Your work should demonstrate thoughtful analysis and professional recommendations for the company.
Will I interact with the company during the project?
Yes. You will communicate with a company representative through the Riipen platform.
Employers may:
Provide additional context about the project
Answer questions
Review your work and provide feedback
Students are expected to maintain professional and timely communication throughout the project.
What support is available during the project?
If you need support during the project, several resources are available:
Employer partner – for questions about the project or company
Riipen Support – for platform or technical questions
Program administrators – for questions about the EduNova Study and Stay™ program
Will I receive feedback after completing the project?
Yes. After completing your project:
Employers may provide feedback on your work and contributions
You may receive recognition for completing the experience
You can add the project to your resumé, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile
This experience can help demonstrate your practical skills to future employers.
How can I make the most of this experience?
To get the most value from the program:
Communicate regularly with your employer
Manage your time to complete the 30-hour commitment
Deliver thoughtful, high-quality work
Ask questions and seek feedback
Save examples of your work for your professional portfolio
The program is an opportunity to gain experience and build connections with employers in Atlantic Canada. See our Best Practices help article for more details.
Who can I contact if I need help?
If you have questions or encounter issues during the program, you can contact:
Riipen Support through the platform help centre or by email: edunovacareerconnect@riipen.com
EduNova program staff for questions related to the EduNova Study and Stay™ program
Do these projects count as off-campus work?
No. EduNova Study and Stay™ Career Connect, delivered in partnership with Riipen, is a Mentorship-aligned Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) initiative designed specifically for participants under the Study and Stay™ program. Projects constitute 30 hours of part-time, unpaid volunteer experience and do not compete with the Canadian labour market. Unpaid, volunteer work that does not compete with the Canadian labour market does not count as 'work’.
Professional Expectations
The employers participating in this program are real organizations that are investing time to mentor and support learners in Atlantic Canada while also receiving meaningful support for their business needs. Because of this, professionalism matters.
If you review the available projects and genuinely do not find a project you are willing to participate in, please do not self-assign simply to hold a spot.
Instead, notify Riipen as early as possible. This may allow another learner who wants the opportunity to participate.
We do not want employers to be left without learner participation or support after committing their time and resources. Communicating early and honestly is part of professional workplace behaviour.