SHS international students gain opportunities
By Upneet Kaur Strathmore High School
Photo Courtesy of Upneet Kaur
It has been a great opportunity for me to accomplish when it comes to studying abroad as I have learned how to nurture myself independently, all alone, away from home and parents. Studying abroad is a dream for many students, and to pursue this desire, one has to work really hard.
Landing in Canada from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as an Indian, this opportunity to study at Golden Hills School Division has given me a lot of knowledge about things and about the country itself. In the beginning it was really difficult for me to deal with the surroundings and people around me, but I gradually adapted to it. The variant accent in Canada has been a challenge for me and there were times when I would not even understand what my teachers taught me. After getting to know people and making a few friends, my accent began to get engaged with theirs and today I rarely face this problem.
Culture shock, as observed by many internationals, was faced by me as well. There were certain traditions and habits I happened to experience while in Canada which I was not used to earlier. Talking about culture, I am yet glad to have known about a variety of cultures, languages, ethics, habits and foods, living among students from various parts of the world.
Dealing with a cuisine entirely different to mine has been a major problem for me while in Canada, despite the fact I have adapted to that as well by now. Canadian food gave me a chance to discover the diet and spices used by the locals and how different it is from Indian food. I was not used to eating pasta almost every day; pasta of different kinds: alfredo, fettucine, marinara, etc. Canadians do not prefer much spices and minimal salt only. Indians are known for spices in foods.
Having lived in one of the hottest countries, UAE, getting adapted to Canada’s extreme winter was not easy for me, and still is not. As a problem which every other international student would face, the difference in time zones keep our minds always wandering.
Being isolated from parents and the country was demanding; yes, it did lead me to loneliness, stress and anxiety for a while. I am glad the dormitories provide a great source of fun, socializing and communication with students from around the world. Canada is known to be a country where different nationalities meet and are bonded in some way or another. I have never lived a life alone without my family, but this opportunity has taught me how to accommodate a living all by myself.
I believe this is a golden chance for anybody who would want to become an independent person at the right age. This program has got me involved into connecting with people and getting rid of solitude which has actually made me a stronger person; I now know how to face all my problems by myself – I have learned how to stand on my own toes.
Shifting directly from a city to a town gets uneasy sometimes but I like how this town is always quiet and there is peace everywhere unlike the busy city life. It is well appreciated from my end that Golden Hills organizes trips and tours to many different places which obviously improves our knowledge about the country and, yes, gives us a lot of entertainment and whatnot. I have had great adventures discovering this place by travelling to many distinct spots. One of my most memorable trips has been to Banff where lies the beautiful Lake Louise and mountains. Trips are one of the best ways to make more friends and help heal loneliness and stress.
I would like to conclude that it is an immense pleasure for me to be here as an international student where livelihood, self-realization, socialization and communication has shown me my better side of pursuing the world with enthusiasm and love. This is probably a beautiful beginning towards my career.