Diary of an International Student in Canada: An Arrival in a Winter
The first chapter of a life story
It was the 13th of December 2021. The last day I was with my family. Having a time difference of 12 hours and 30 mins between Sri Lanka and Canada, I contemplated that my whole life is going to change. I had mixed feelings about the new journey; excited about the endeavor yet sad about leaving my family and friends.
My flight was from Sri Lanka to Heathrow, Heathrow to Vancouver, and Vancouver to my city Fort St John. The first flight to Heathrow was a red-eye flight. I was supposed to be sleeping but trying to sleep itself was torture. I already had started feeling alone and homesick.
Seeing the scenes of London made me delighted. It recalled me of the stories of Sherlock Holmes and Baker street. Taxis with black tops were classy. Green paths and parks were endearing. I remember I had a quick thought to detour my plans and stay in London; the prettiest city I had ever taken a glimpse of.
The transit at Heathrow gave me the feeling that I’m going to experience rich. Being so thirsty after a flight, I badly wanted to buy a bottle of water. I had a mini heart attack after seeing the prices at the airport. I recall it was 2.64 GBP which was near 750 Sri Lankan Rupees. I could have bought a dozen of water bottles in Sri Lanka for the same amount. However, the urge to quench my thirst overweighed my greed.
I left Heathrow with more excitement and a fewer sorrow. The next stop was the well-known and affluent city of Vancouver. I reached there after another 9 hours of flight. I met the first Canadian I’ve ever met, on the flight. The girl next to me. She was funny and an absolute chatterbox. She was flying from the UK to Vancouver to see her parents. We talked a lot. She explained how things are in Canada and showed me pictures on her phone. Unfortunately, I couldn’t ask her name.
My point of arrival was Vancouver. All international students have to collect their study permits at the point of arrival. After landing, I was ushered to clear immigration and get my study permit. I was half-dead by that time and immigration Canada mistakenly issued me a study permit without an important statement that allows me to work off campus. I was devastated after noticing that. The officer couldn’t fix it and I had 1:45 mins for my domestic flight. I had to run. A run carrying fears and doubts. I could have been the happiest passenger on the plane if I received the correct study permit. I was unlucky there.
Finally, after a short flight, I landed at Fort St John regional airport. It was -24 Celsius. I had one winter jacket bought from Sri Lanka and I was wearing a long sleeve T-shirt but that wasn’t supportive enough. I had to take a Taxi and come to the student’s residence at my college. Everything was covered in white. So stressed to see that. I love colors. Sri Lankan tropical nature was vivid and now I’m ended up in a black-and-white environment. It was the first time I saw snow and I didn’t like it instantly (now I’m okay).
Luckily I had a friend I knew before coming, waiting for me at the entrance of the dorms. My first friend in Canada; Rebecca. The resident assistant showed me my clean yet gloomy suite where I was the only one to stay there at that moment. I still remember the first video call I took with my family after coming there. It was a moment of joy for me and a relief for my parents (yet hard to live) with a little bit of sadness because of the study permit.
I took a hot shower and lay on the bed expecting to sleep. Flooding thoughts in my mind were squeezing me. Now I’m all alone, independent and my whole new future is right in front of me to be explored. I knew my life has already started to change. From culture shock to the environment, everything will be a new exploration. A whole bunch of thoughts popping up nowhere hindered my sleep and I spent my first night in Canada without any sleep.
See you in a new chapter.
