Newcomers Experience Winter
Hibernation is the solution for overcoming this bitterly cold weather according to Humber international student, Andrew Stephen Tiah.
“The hardest thing for me to adjust to in Canada would definitely have to be the cold weather. Back in Trinidad the coldest it gets is about 24 degrees,” he said.
Tiah came to Canada three years ago from Trinidad and Tobago to continue his post-secondary education and winter has not been easy for him. In fact the Humber industrial design student built his own piece of paradise in his second home in Etobicoke.
“Back in August I started a project on building a saltwater fish tank. I completed it a couple months ago, and have two clown fish that brighten my morning on the coldest winter days by reminding me of home.”
Not every new immigrant that comes to Canada is prepared for a real Canadian winter experience, but the Humber International Centre wants to make that transition easier for newcomers.
Two hundred and twenty students, most being international students from Humber North and Lakeshore Campus, attended the Jan. 17 Ski n’ Snowboard at Snow Valley event. Among the attendees was International Student Advisor, Matthew McDonald, who also helped organize the event.
“We were lucky to have great weather, but it was cold enough for the snow to be in great condition. Funnily enough, one student forgot gloves, so even the mild winter temperatures were too cold to ski with bare hands,” he said.
Parisa Khazra, an Iran native came to Canada searching for a better life with her family when she was only two-years old and this is now the place she calls home.
“That year there was just as much snow as there has been this year… we literally almost froze.”
Khazra and her family came to Canada with a few light sweaters thinking the weather wouldn’t be that bad, but it was worse than expected.
“Iran has a bit of snow, but only a couple centimetres and only a couple times a year, so no one expected the downpour of snow that we experienced,” she said.
Keshini Ramdass, a fourth-year Guelph-Humber student from Guyana enjoys the different weather that Canada has to offer.
“I love the cold. Since we moved from a very tropical place, it was amazing to experience something different,” she said.
In addition to the Ski n’ Snowboard event the International Centre is also organizing different activities during reading week, some including movie night, dodge ball games and a Raptors game.
“I actually love the programs that are available for new comers. I know if I had access to such a program I would have really appreciated, since it’s just a huge transition, not only personally but also socially,” said Ramdass.
Even though McDonald wasn’t able to get on the ski hill because he didn’t have snow pants, he still enjoyed his time with everyone who attended.
“It was one of a number of events that the International Centre organizes each semester in order to help international students socialize, take part in activities that they might not be able to otherwise, and experience new parts of Canada,” he said.
The International Centre will be holding their second Ski n’ Snowboard at Snow Valley event on Feb 21. This event will be opened to all North Campus, Lakeshore Campus and Guelph-Humber students to experience one of Canada’s favourite past times.
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