Introduction
Right since my childhood, I have always been an avid reader. My journey began with reading one page and gradually transformed into finishing a book a day. Each book felt like a lifetime lived, filled with adventures, lessons, and dreams. Through these stories, I fell in love with the art of storytelling and imagination.
Coming from a small town of India, I grew up at the happening beaches of Diu. There wasn’t day in my childhood that went by without me running to the beach or walking across the shores with sand slipping through my fingers and a playful smile on my face.
A Dream
I remember one day when I was walking by the beach with my grandfather, I was just babbling and asking a million questions all at once. Patiently, he answered each one.
I recall asking him this one particular question that got him a bit quite as if he just found himself in a sea of turmoil. I asked, “What was your biggest dream that you wanted to achieve in every lifetime?”
After thinking for a while and making me wait impatiently he finally replied, “I would love to travel every now and then. To look for new places, meeting new people and being a part of their new culture or their stories seems like a life worth living.”
That struck a chord in me, being a part of a story felt exciting as well as intriguing. I started looking for places, making a bucket list and letting my imagination run wild. As I grew, it became much clear what career seemed the best for me and that was marketing. Combing storytelling and creativity at its best was like a perfect calling for me.
(Alt tag- A little girl looking at the plane in the sky in the evening)
From Gujarat to Canada
After graduating from Gujarat University with marketing as my Major it was finally the time to turn my long-awaited dream into a reality. Travelling to a different country and having the chance to rewrite my story once again from scratch was exciting.
In 2022, I moved to Canada, with so many dreams and a wish to make it here. And soon enough reality kicked in, all my expectations of making it here, came crashing down. Soon I realized the world out here was not just rainbows and roses. It was filled with thorns, rocky paths, and a dense forest. I soon realized, 'To make it here', one must pave its own path through all of these.
Taking one step at a time, I started juggling myself between part time jobs and studies. One day when I was learning something new at work, the other day I was eating a burnt toast. Slowly and steadily, I got the hang of it, the nervousness that I felt at the beginning of this journey was still there but now it was paired up with new belief and hope, I knew that even if I couldn’t figure it out immediately, I eventually would.
Life at York University
The first day at York University was nothing less than a dream turned into reality. Studying at York School of Continuing Studies has been an enriching experience. The diverse student experience, professional staff, and supportive environment have helped me to develop intellectually as well as emotionally. The opportunity to interact with students from such various backgrounds, culture and being a part of their story felt like a perfect place for me. Once you start engaging with different students, you feel like everyone here is on the same journey as you when it comes to coping up with stress and struggle as an international student. Many International students in Canada experience immense pressure because of academic responsibilities, financial constraints, and adjusting to new cultures. Even adjusting to the new weather such as Canada’s harsh winter adds to that pressure.
Even the Global News Canada. has talked about how the financial stress takes a toll on international student in Canada.
So, I can’t even emphasis it enough how critical it is to seek support and not to be afraid to ask for help. York University provides a variety of services to international students, including counseling, academic aid, and peer support groups.
(Alt Tag: A group of students sitting on couches wearing York University's Sweatshirts)
Advice to Future International Students:
Final Thoughts:
Studying at York University has been a remarkable journey. The road from being a dreamer in Diu to living the dream in Canada has been filled with challenges, growth, and unforgettable memories. To all the future international students, make sure you embrace this journey with an open heart and mind. The experiences you gain here will shape you and your future in an unimaginable way. The diverse and inclusive environment of York will not only broaden your academic horizons but will also be like a second home to you once you give York the chance. Cherish every moment, learn from every experience, and remember that you are not alone in this journey.