I came to Canada from Japan in 2024. I came because I wanted to experience diversity that I was never able to experience living in Japan. Living in Japan was very nice. I had my family and friends there, I loved the food, people were kind and polite, and the public transportation was very very reliable:) However, I had times where I felt like no matter how much I felt within myself that I was part of Japan and Japan was part of me, I was never really able to fit in and connect with the people because even though I spoke the language, understood the culture and customs, I looked very different from everyone else. Coming to Canada helped me to experience the diversity I have been looking for. I was no longer the only black/non-Japanese looking person on the bus or train, people didn’t touch my hair out of curiosity, and I was no longer stared at and talked about in the language I can understand, everywhere I went. I was also no longer the only one with stories about my upbringing and cultural backgrounds. I met many interesting people from various parts of the world, and for the first time in my life, I felt really excited to share about myself more because I felt like they understood me. Being an international student in Canada also helped me to realize that my home is not “only” Japan or Nigeria(even though I am from there), but rather, my home is where several cultures and diverse people flourish and thrive.
