Category C: International Experience description – Study abroad in Canada.
Studying in Canada has been one of the most emotional and eye-opening parts of my journey. Leaving home at 17 and stepping into a completely new culture taught me that global learning isn’t just about studying in another country — it’s about discovering new ways of communicating, connecting, and finding belonging. In these years, I grew from a cocoon into a butterfly. I became someone who loves helping people, who values community, and who understands the world with wider, kinder eyes.
Along the way, I also learned about the importance of mental health — something that is still treated as a taboo in many South Asian families. Canada gave me the space to understand that caring for your mind is just as important as caring for your body, and that empathy begins with acknowledging the struggles people rarely speak about.
This experience changed my attitude in a deep way. I learned to listen with more patience, to look beyond first impressions, and to appreciate the many different ways people navigate change. Canada became the place where I grew into a more empathetic, confident, and culturally aware version of myself.
Living between cultures continues to shape how I work, study, and support others. It’s a reminder that real growth often begins the moment we step outside what feels familiar — and choose to embrace the world with courage and openness.
I’m deeply grateful to my parents and siblings for giving me the kind of life where I could step into new cultures, understand different people, and grow into someone who values diversity and connection. None of this would have been possible without them.
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