I was eighteen when I left India with the Canadian dream in my heart. A little too excited to study abroad and a little too oblivious to the challenges of being an international student, I started my journey at Sheridan College in 2018. Canada welcomed me with open and warm arms; I remember little instances of people holding the door open for me, smiling at me on their morning walks, a man who saw me carrying a heavy bag and made seat for me on the bus, someone who let me go ahead in line because I was in a hurry, I encountered nice and polite people everywhere and they made me fall in love with this country.
These warm interactions were the reason I wanted to reciprocate that kindness and got inspired to learn more about Canadian culture and their ways. These experiences became learning lessons for me; I noticed the power of effective transition on the success of a newcomer, and the role these small positive interactions play in a successful transition. I learned many new things over the course of many years, and not just culturally. I had to familiarize myself with my rights here; I had to learn my responsibilities as a citizen like how to properly sort waste, how I shouldn’t park on streets during snow removal, how to be considerate of the noise levels, understanding fire safety, etc. Understanding the challenges of transition motivated me to create support systems for fellow international students. I worked with Sheridan College and the local municipal leaders of Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville to create the ‘Be A Good Neighbour’ guide and laid the framework of ‘Community Safety and Settlement’ events for new international students that would help them understand more about their responsibilities, rights and the Canadian cultural norms.
Through initiatives like food security programs and housing support services, I worked to ensure that cultural differences wouldn’t be barriers to student success. These programs now serve thousands of students, proving that cultural understanding can lead to meaningful, practical change. I also took immense pride in sharing my own heritage. Organizing events like Sheridan’s first-ever Langar was a powerful expression of inclusion. Over 550 students and staff from various backgrounds came together to share a meal. It was heartwarming to see people from diverse walks of life embracing an ancient Sikh tradition with respect and curiosity.
While my experience has been overwhelmingly positive, I’ve observed a growing number of students over the past five years facing challenges such as microaggressions, insensitive comments, and negativity on social media. With increasing concerns about issues like housing and healthcare, international students are sometimes unfairly linked to these broader challenges.
This is why programs like International Alumni of Impact are so important. They celebrate international students who have made meaningful contributions to their communities, both in their home countries and where they studied. These stories of resilience, leadership, and dedication highlight the transformative power of education in creating global citizens.
Leaving home to pursue education abroad is brave. It marks a journey filled with excitement, personal growth, and discovery. Canada, being a mosaic of different cultures, allowed me to interact with people from various countries, religions and races. Each conversation taught me something new, each perspective enlightened me, each person with their unique story was inspirational in their own ways. Bill, a retired Canadian who had to get back into the workforce at the age of 68 because he lost his house in fire; Zahir, a terrorist attack survivor from Pakistan who is now pursuing his dreams by studying Mechanical Tool designing in Canada; Wanqin, who left her job in China and came to Canada to support her son and is now studying Computer Programming so she can understand the domains of work of her son and husband and engage in more interesting conversations with them and countless others like them have humbled me into acknowledging the human beauty and diversity.
A Message to Fellow Indian Students
Imagine you are getting a blank slate with an opportunity to write your own story. I want you to embrace this adventure with an open heart. While you celebrate and take pride in your heritage, remain curious and respectful of others’. Humans are beautiful creatures with beautiful stories, and moving to Canada allowed me to read and live countless of these stories.
Shared By - Puneet Kaur Johal,
2024 International Alumni of Impact Winner
