TESL Canada Learner’s Conference 2008… Essay Contest
How I got here: My immigration experience
Simona Popovici
I opened my eyes. The light was dim in the room. I looked around, trying to remember where I was. Suddenly, the raindrops tapping on the window were like echoes of unknown voices, trying to tell a story. It was a story about their long way to Earth, from high clouds to the ground, to bring spring and happiness, and a green feeling of a new life. I understood then the similarity between the rain’s way and my life’s. I was like a little drop of rain looking for its way. I chose a new country to live in like rain chose to be Nature’s tears of joy. I came to Canada for a better life. I wanted to blossom like Nature in spring. I wanted to be a small part of a big world. I wanted my dreams to come true in a country where possibilities are endless. I dared to ask for more, even though I knew there is a price for it. I accepted the challenge and the sacrifice was worth it. I left everything behind, determined to start a new life. I wanted to feel the joy of a new beginning, the excitement of living in a growing city with friendly people, ready to help or support. I grew green wings and I flew. My soul was full of hope. My story is one of those starting with “Once upon a time”, but ending with “They lived happily ever after”. I am grateful for the opportunity to live here, in an environment full of chances. My life has started to find its way. I could say that coming to Canada was my rebirth.
My Immigration Experience
Victor Girleanu
Canada is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, and it was a great chance for my family to immigrate here from Moldova. Nevertheless, immigration is a very stressful and difficult experience. My pregnant wife, our son and I can still remember that day, June 14th, 2004, when we arrived. Our English was poor, so we had a hard time understanding immigration officers. Eventually, we finished the paper work, but our luggage didn’t come. The next day, I found a mistake in our documents; on the resident permanent card, my name was switched, and my nationality was changed. Moreover, we couldn’t find an apartment to rent for a couple of weeks.
I knew that Canadians have a different life style, so I tried to prepare myself for the problems that would appear, but I have still faced several difficulties since immigrating. The lack of ability to communicate was one of the major issues. The next complication was my inability to write and read in English. Being at an insufficient academic level of language created difficulties in preparing a resume and applying for a job. In addition, not having a Canadian education stressed me negatively in struggling with this situation. Because of this, the integration period seemed to be very complicated.
Thanks to my ESL program, I could overcome all these challenges, and now I feel that coming to Canada was the right decision. My heart left my homeland, but my eyes have viewed a new kind of homeland, a land of opportunity, which is Canada.