Hey everyone,

I'm Vatsal Pandya, a 24-year-old guy from Mumbai, India. Let me share my journey from Mumbai to Canada with you.

After finishing my master’s and working in Mumbai for three years, I decided to fulfill my parents' dream of seeing one of their sons studies abroad. So, I surprised them by announcing that I was heading to Canada. The look of joy and pride on their faces was worth every bit of the secret-keeping. Through three years of hard work in Mumbai, I saved up enough funds to kickstart my Canadian journey. With my own earnings, I covered the costs of crucial steps like the IELTS exam and the first year of school fees, along with other necessary expenses by my own savings. Yet, beyond my own efforts, my parents generously stepped in with additional support once I shared my decision to move to Canada. Their encouragement and assistance bolstered my confidence and made the transition smoother than I could have imagined.

Choosing Canada over the US, UK, and Australia wasn't easy, but something about it felt right. With my visa sorted, I landed in Canada, excited but nervous about what lay ahead.

Leaving my family and friends behind was tough, but I was determined to make the most of this new chapter in my life. Even though I had relatives in Canada, I decided to spend the first year of my two-year schooling journey alone to fully experience the Canadian way of life.

My journey has been a mix of highs and lows. Landing a job at Best Buy was great, but dealing with unemployment later was tough. Through it all, I've learned to stay positive and keep moving forward.

Canada has been full of surprises, from its polite culture of saying "thank you" and "sorry" for everything to its friendly people and beautiful scenery.

Looking back, I'm grateful for all the experiences that have shaped me. Canada may be different, but it's also a land of opportunities.

So, here's to the next chapter of my adventure in Canada, filled with new experiences and discoveries.

Cheers, Vatsal