Moving is not an easy task. Whether you’re changing houses, cities or even countries, the process can be draining. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for international students who come to study in Canada. This is why I was so happy to connect with Mousli; she offered to share her experience as an immigrant and an international student.
How smooth was your transition into Canada, Mousli? Were you staying with relatives when you first got here or did you move into a house right away or an apartment?
“My transition to Canada was pretty smooth. I made sure to do a lot of research on my destination city and coordinating all the necessary logistics to ensure my comfort. Since I arrived in Canada as a student, I stayed on-campus of my University which was such a great decision because I met some awesome people who were also on the same journey as myself (i.e, an international student coming to Canada for school). It was nice to share my experience of moving to Canada with students from all over the world.”
What was your first impression of Canada?
“It was so diverse. Everywhere I looked I saw people that were clearly from different regions of the world and this is exactly what made me fall in love with the country.”
Did you come to Canada as a landed immigrant or for another reason? If it was for another reason what was it and why did you decide to stay?
“As alluded to earlier, I landed as a student to pursue my Bachelors and Masters degree. I decided to stay due to the fact that there were so many opportunities to expand my knowledge in the field that I was studying in. Furthermore, I knew that after I graduated, there would be a plethora of work opportunities that I could further explore.”
How long did it take to get your permanent residency?
“So here is the “twist” in my story. I applied to get my PR via the OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program) masters stream, but unfortunately, my application was rejected for reasons that were somewhat out of my control. It was a very difficult period in my life because I was looking forward to beginning my journey as a semi-Canadian after my postgraduate degree. I had plans and aspirations so large that I knew could only be achieved in a country like Canada. It was a hard reality that I had to come face to face with but it was also a very important life lesson in many aspects.
What was the process like? Did it take long?
“The process to apply for the OINP was stressful, to say the least. Gathering the documents, trying to meet all the criteria, being a watchdog and checking every single day when the stream would reopen took a toll on me emotionally. Because I was so adamant to get my PR, I went above and beyond to ensure that my application was a success. Putting my application together probably took me around 3 weeks and having my application processed before it was rejected took about a month.”
Was it hard to find a job here?
“Despite not getting my PR, I did have work experience before submitting an OINP application. Personally, I found that opportunities were plentiful and were available in a multitude of industries. This made me very hopeful that I could gain skills in a variety of fields. It was a reassuring aspect that, as a non-Canadian, made me feel confident.”
What are some of the jobs you’ve had while living in Canada?
“I have had several jobs while I was living in Canada which included sport activity coordination, student engagement, experiential marketing, customer service, and event planning. Each experience was so fulfilling that it allowed me to accrue tools that I still utilize today.”
What is one of the biggest struggles you face as an immigrant?
“I cannot pinpoint any struggles I’ve faced as an immigrant besides being homesick when I first moved to Canada. Generally, it was quite an enjoyable experience shifting into a culture very different from what I was used to. I was able to share aspects of my culture and traditions while simultaneously adopting aspects of Canadian culture that I feel made me a better person.”
What were you hoping to pass onto your kids (if you have any or plan to have any in the future)?
“I would say to never be afraid to dream big and explore places different than their own. It is a fantastic learning experience that cannot be replaced. We live in such an integrated society that it only makes sense to dip our feet into different global communities; and who knows, we may end up falling in love with them.”
What was one of the biggest things you had to give up when you left your country of origin?
“Probably not eating meat everywhere I go. I grew up in a Muslim country where all meat is certified halal; therefore, I wouldn’t think twice about ordering food that had meat in it. Coming to Canada, I was very well aware that this would not as easy of a task. It came to a point where I was so tired of asking if places served halal meat (because 8 out of 10 times they didn’t) and was frustrated that halal food was not easily accessible and not really trusting places that claimed to be certified halal that I just became a “temporary vegetarian”, i.e, I was only a vegetarian when I was in Canada. When I go back home, I’m a full-on carnivore again.”
What do you miss most about your country of origin, Senegal?
“The value of family, the weather, and the food.”
Do you go back to visit Senegal?
“I have not visited my country of origin for over a decade, but the country where I was born and raised, Kuwait, I would go almost every year when I was based in Canada.”
What is one advice you would give to someone trying to obtain their permanent residency or citizenship in Canada?
“Make sure you have everything in check before you apply. Do your research, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and start as soon as you know you are eligible to apply.”
Are you happy?
“I am very happy because albeit not getting my PR, I still make an effort to visit Canada every summer. I have so much love for this country and consider this place home more than my country of origin and country of residence. I have made and maintained some amazing relationships and experienced so much that I can’t stay away. Canada has given me much more in life than I could ever imagine.”
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