Mystory@Aaisha Kapoor: What I gained from my study abroad experience

Mystory@Aisha Kapoor

I never thought or dreamt of coming so far from my family and my friends, but my dad always wanted me to explore the world. Yes, it was not at all my decision to come to Canada, it was my dad's call, trust me and today I don't have any regrets. I am glad I followed this decision and came all across the globe (11,656 kms to be specific).

I remember the time when I had to choose my career stream in 11th standard. My family always wanted me to take Science, but I never had any sort of interest in Science. It was simply not my cup of tea. Commerce and numbers was exactly what I always wished to pursue. Coming to Canada, it was International Business Management program which brought me to Centennial College and this campus. I was confused between Centennial College and George Brown College, so in order to get rid of that confusion I attended quite a lot of exhibitions and fairs and obviously took guidance from the people who were already enrolled in the same. After my experience of one year of international business management at Centennial, I decided to take financial planning as my other course for another year in the same college. Finance, I thought, was something easy but I was quite wrong. It is not that easy but yes, it is a very interesting program from a career perspective. For this program, you need to attend a lot of classes and give a lot of industrial exams in order to get a respectable job in a reputed firm.

How I cracked college admission abroad

We all know that we are supposed to get a good score and a good band in order to get admission and get enrolled in a good college in Canada or for that matter any country. So, in order to get that good score, I took coaching classes for a few days from BAFEL, which indeed worked well for my speaking skills. I cannot say that I was ever weak in English but I did require some improvement. I took my IELTS just after my recovery from dengue and everything thankfully went smooth and fetched me a Visa for this beautiful country. "Mixed Emotions" is the word – happiness of getting an opening for a good career but going away from my family was the saddest part. I remember when my mom, my dad and my little brother were seeing me off at the airport and they called me to say "ek last baar peeche dekhle..." Trust me, it doesn't matter how strong you are, it was way difficult than you could think of.

Study abroad experience in Canada

Coming to Canada, the white country, full of snow where people are so busy to do anything in the weekdays, but on weekends they enjoy every bit of their time. It was not the first time that I went abroad but it was my first time to be there all alone in a country which is so fast. But I am glad the people over here are so friendly and nice. It took a lot of time but as the time passed I got some knowledge about the country.

There is a saying "earn for a good living". So if you have to live in Canada, you are supposed to earn as well. I never thought of working like this, but yes, I enjoy every phase of it. It does become hectic to manage school, studies and work simultaneously. You got so many tests, assignments and then so much work. For this, you got to have good friends to help each other in this difficult time and I am glad I found some of them here.

Unfortunately, Canada doesn't give you ample of time for extra-curricular activities, so I enjoy doing my work and most importantly cooking food for myself and for others, which like every other person I never used to do when I was in Delhi with my family.

Life at Centennial College or basically study abroad-Canada has changed me completely:

It made me an independent person.
It helped me learn cooking.
It made me learn how to work hard.
It made me learn to be focused on my goals.
It made me learn the importance of family.
It helped me improve my language skills.
It made me understand the importance of money etc etc etc.

My life has gone through a lot of phases and a lot of ups and downs but also, on the other hand, changed me inside out. But one thing remains, I always wanted to be a qualified teacher and if still given a chance, I would love to teach in a school again. It was, it is and it will remain my passion forever.

About the Author:

After finishing my graduation in commerce from Delhi University, my graduation in education from Maharshi Dayanand University, and my diploma in German language from the Embassy of Germany, I am here in Canada doing my Second year of studies. By profession, I always wanted to be a qualified teacher in a reputed school after taking tuitions for around 4 years. (And yes, I am just 23 years old). I thought life would be easy after completing the degrees, but unfortunately, I didn't get much success.