“It’s okay to fall, but it’s important to get back up.” This quote kept me going whenever I felt like giving up. There were many moments when I felt lost, exhausted, or frustrated, but I reminded myself that struggles are temporary. Every challenge I faced taught me something new, and I knew I had to keep pushing forward.
My transition from India to Canada was not as smooth as I had imagined. I came here with high expectations, thinking that life would automatically fall into place, but reality hit hard. The biggest adjustments were dealing with the extreme cold, managing everything independently—cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping—and struggling to find a job.
I chose Canada because of the positive experiences shared by my cousin sister, Ayushi. She mentioned how fun it was to experience a new culture and lifestyle. At that time, I didn’t think too much about the struggles. I just assumed that moving abroad would automatically set me up for a better life. I believed I would have a good lifestyle, enjoy my studies, and adapt easily. But once I arrived, I realised that things weren’t as simple as I had imagined.
Scholarships and advises
My education was fully self-funded. If you’re planning to study in Canada, I strongly advise looking into scholarships early. Many universities and external organisations offer funding, but the application process requires time and effort.
PLEASE do full research on the college you’re choosing.
I had two options:
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A full campus life where minimum attention would be given to individual students.
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A smaller campus where I would get more attention and interaction with instructors.
I made the wrong choice. The college I chose was filled with only Indians, including most of the instructors. I came to Canada expecting an international experience, but it felt like I was back in India. While this might sound comforting to some, it was not what I had planned for, and it affected my overall experience.
I even tried to transfer to another college, but there were too many policies and restrictions set by the Canadian government. Make sure to cross-check all the courses and subjects with multiple colleges before finalising your decision. They matter more than you think.
University and campus life
So, at first, I was excited to meet new people and experience cultural diversity. But when I arrived at Mohawk College, I realised that most of my classmates were Indians—in fact, the majority of the student body was Indian, including many instructors.
This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn’t what I expected. I came to Canada for an international experience, but it often felt like I was still in India. While this gave me a sense of familiarity and comfort, it also limited the exposure I wanted.
Another important tip: Cross-check all courses and subjects before finalising a college. Some colleges might have similar programs, but the subjects and job opportunities they offer can be very different.
Adjusting to the Canadian education system was not as difficult as I had expected. Once I understood the structure of assignments, deadlines, and grading, it became manageable. The key was to stay organised and proactive.
One of the biggest differences I noticed was that in Canada, assignments, presentations, and group projects play a huge role in your grades. Participation and practical understanding matter more than just theory.
I also made use of all available resources—professors’ office hours, online tools like ChatGPT (which honestly helped a lot), and study groups. Since I didn’t have a part-time job initially, I was able to finish assignments early and avoid last-minute stress.
One important tip is to always ask the instructor what was lacking in your assignment and how you can improve. This not only helps you avoid the same mistakes in future assignments but also shows the instructor that you are genuinely interested in learning.
In some cases, they might be more mindful when grading your work and could even give you extra marks next time. Of course, this doesn’t work all the time, but it’s always worth trying.
However, I also had a difficult experience with one of my instructors. Our instructor was African (I am assuming), and since our entire class was Indian, we felt that she treated us differently. She used to grade us right at the borderline of passing marks, even though we were attentive, obedient, and genuinely tried to understand the material.
Her teaching style was poor—she would simply read off the PowerPoint slides without explaining anything in depth or providing additional resources. This made learning very difficult for all of us. We eventually decided to complain as a group, and while the situation became heated, we had to stay calm and wait for her course to end. Thankfully, we managed to request extra classes for her subject, which helped.
In the end, I scored lower in her subject compared to my other courses, but at least I passed. Experiences like this can be frustrating, but they teach you patience and resilience.
Challenges and advises
Honestly, not at first. The initial months felt like a vacation because I was staying with my sister and brother-in-law. I didn’t feel the loneliness that a lot of international students face right away.
I even went back home twice—once after five months and then again for four months during summer vacation. And while I absolutely loved being home, I also regretted it because I later realised that summer in Canada is when tons of job opportunities open up. Missing out on that was a huge setback.
But after coming back from that four-month vacation, the homesickness hit me hard. I couldn’t go back again because I had already used up 150 days of my vacation limit from my visa.
Now, whenever I feel homesick, I ask my friends to hug me. It might sound silly, but it helps. Physical comfort, a small hug, or just talking about home makes a difference.
It’s tough, but you can get through it. And while it’s okay to cry and break down sometimes, just remember that you’re stronger than you think.
You learn how to overcome struggles—there will be days when you have sleepless nights because you don’t have a job and you keep applying online. You overcome those struggles. There will be days when you are exhausted, done with life, questioning: “Why am I doing this? Is it worth it?” But it can be worth it if you work hard for it.
I worked hard, and I haven’t got the results yet, but I know I am going to get a good outcome one day.
Canada has made me hate Canada and also love Canada. When I came, I realised that whatever expectations I had were just expectations. To have a good life, I need to struggle, struggle, and struggle to death. I have to try my best. Fall and get up again and again.
Honestly? I do regret my decision of coming to Canada, but at the same time, I am glad I came here so I don’t regret not trying.
Please know that it’s not you—it’s Canada itself that is struggling and finding its own path.
The author is pursuing Global Business Management (GBM) from Mohawk College, Mississauga Campus, Canada
