07/16/2025
Hi, how are you? I’m Janine.☺️
I’ve been living in Ontario for almost two years now as an international student, and I want to share five honest realizations I’ve had about life abroad (Canada)🇨🇦🍁
1. Navigating life in a new country is not an easy feat.
Especially when you’re doing it alone. Leaving your comfort zone and stepping into the unknown is scary. It’s daunting, it’s overwhelming. And yes — there will be days when you’ll question if you made the right decision. But that’s okay. It gets better with time. You’ll learn, you’ll adapt… as long as you have the next thing I’m about to share.💪✍️
2. You need faith, mental strength, and emotional stamina.
Prepare your mind, body, and spirit — especially when you’re starting from scratch. Many of us come here with no friends, no network, and no job waiting for us. You have to market yourself — apply through Indeed, Job Bank, or even walk in with your resume. Toronto’s job market is tough. It took me four months before I landed my current job — and I’m so grateful I didn’t give up.🙏
3. Financial readiness is survival.
Almost every move you make here requires money. A simple meal out? Expect to spend at least $18. Getting around? Public transit or Uber — there are no tricycles or jeepneys here. And the bills never stop coming: rent, groceries, phone bills, insurance, transportation… You’ll learn how to budget, or you’ll struggle to keep up.💸💰
4. Be open to learning and embracing new cultures.
So much will be different — food, faith, values, even ways of expressing oneself. My advice? Observe. Listen. Learn. You’ll be surprised how much growth happens when you stay curious and open-minded.🤓🧠
5. The weather can be brutal — and so can the winter blues.🥶🌨️☃️
I’ve experienced -23°C in Toronto… and that was enough for me. In other provinces like Alberta, it can hit -40°C. It’s not just about surviving the cold — seasonal depression is real. You will miss your family and loved ones more during the winter especially when everything is already covered with thick snow. So when summer comes (June to August), make the most of it. Get out, enjoy the sun, and soak up every bit of warmth.🌤️
Living abroad is hard — but I’m grateful.
I love living life here in Canada. I love slowly uncovering parts of myself I never knew existed — strengths I wouldn’t have discovered if I hadn’t taken the risk of stepping out of my comfort zone. This journey has stretched me, challenged me, and opened my heart in ways I never imagined.🥰
I’m blessed with a supportive family back home who have stood by me every step of the way. I know I still have a long journey ahead, but I hold on to these words from Martin Luther King Jr.:
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase — just take the first step.”
👉 Follow me for more real-life stories, reflections, and lessons from my life abroad.
