My Journey to Canada as an International Student

My Journey

My name is Gaurav Singh, and my story begins in 2018, in a small town called Mukerian in Punjab, India. Life there was simple. I grew up in a joint family, surrounded by love, tradition, and chatter in Punjabi—but very little English. Although English was a subject in school, it never became part of my daily life. Yet, deep within me, there was a dream: to study abroad, to step into a bigger world, to create opportunities my hometown couldn’t offer.

That dream first took shape as a number—6.5. The IELTS band score I needed to receive an offer letter from Herzing College in Montreal. But for me, those numbers felt like a mountain. Speaking English fluently was one of my biggest hurdles. I still remember my first practice sessions—awkward pauses, misplaced words, and the sinking feeling of, Can I really do this?

But something inside me refused to give up. For two months, I dedicated myself completely to IELTS preparation. Each day, I studied, practiced speaking aloud, and pushed through the discomfort. Slowly, my confidence grew. The day I saw my score—6.5—I felt unstoppable. It wasn’t just a number; it was proof that with hard work, even impossible goals could bend in my favor.

Then came the longer, more anxious wait: documentation, visa applications, interviews, and silence. A full year passed before my dream got its wings. In 2019, holding my Canadian student visa in my hands, I knew my life was about to change forever.

Boarding the airplane was a moment etched in memory—I had never even been on a domestic flight before. I can still feel my heart pounding as I stepped into the bustling airport, scanning signs in English, trying to look confident while silently figuring things out. That flight wasn’t just about crossing oceans—it was my first step into independence.

When I landed in Montreal, I was awestruck. Wide roads, spotless streets, towering buildings—it felt like I had stepped into a different world. But reality set in quickly. Back home, my mother had always taken care of cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Suddenly, in a foreign land, these everyday tasks became my responsibility. I burned my first attempts at cooking, spent hours figuring out laundry machines, and even felt homesick in grocery store aisles. But slowly, those struggles shaped me into someone stronger and self-reliant.

Herzing College became my second home. There, I pursued my Diploma in Microcomputer and Networking. It wasn’t just about learning IT—it was about learning how to thrive in a new environment. I built friendships that became my support system, celebrated small victories, and learned to see challenges not as obstacles but as steppingstones.

After graduation, another chapter awaited me: Prince Edward Island. I moved there to pursue permanent residency in Canada, a journey that demanded two more years of grit, patience, and persistence. Every step was a test, but I held on. In 2023, after four years of determination, I finally became a permanent resident of Canada. That moment—receiving my PR—wasn’t just about legal status. It was about proving to myself that the boy from Mukerian, who once struggled to speak English, had transformed into someone who could carve out a life on his own in a new country.

Now, living in Edmonton, I look back and see not just the challenges but the transformation. From nervous first flights to independent living, from IELTS prep to Canadian PR, every step has shaped me into who I am today: a confident IT professional, a proud resident of Canada, and above all, someone who believes that no dream is too far if you are willing to chase it with everything you have.

Reflecting on my journey, I am deeply grateful for the opportunities Canada has offered me and for the people—friends, teachers, and managers—who supported me along the way. From a small-town student with limited English to a confident IT professional and permanent resident, this journey has shaped me into someone stronger, more independent, and ready to contribute to this incredible country.

Canada has given me more than opportunities—it has given me a new version of myself. And for that, I will always be grateful.