Been there, done that, pay it forward
Rexdale Women’s Centre Program Director Dr. Saadia Akram-Pall knows what immigrants are facing, not only through research and profession, but because she has experienced it.
Dr. Akram-Pall is a Pakistani native who moved to Canada with her family over 20 years ago seeking opportunities for higher studies and a better future, but that’s easier said than done.
Dr. Akram-Pall was one of the top students and professionals in Pakistan.
She had finished her Masters and Post-Masters in Clinical Psychology, but when she arrived to Canada her Master’s degree was only considered a Bachelor.
“Having no Canadian experience was a big problem for me. Finding opportunities was very difficult. Financial issues were also there,” she said.
Dr. Akram-Pall believes that her studies in psychology helped manage her personal life, studies, and her work, all while trying to settle into a new country.
She enrolled at the University of Toronto to complete the goal she had once set to complete her studies in psychology.
“Even [though] there were changes in my personal life, after my marriage, children, job, my settling down phase, my family, and everything, there was an unfinished business for me that I had to go back to school to complete my doctorate degree.”
After some time off from school due to her child getting sick, Dr. Akram-Pall said she was able to re-enroll and finish her Masters and Doctorate degrees through motivation and determination.
“It was a long journey, but I had to make sure how to prioritize, how to manage and how to work towards it. Sometimes I could only manage to take one course at a time, and sometimes I could afford more than one.”
Dr. Akram-Pall uses her life experience to help other immigrant women and their families adapt into Canada but also to not give up on their goals.
“I really want our women or immigrant women to know that when they come, they need to remind themselves yes they can do. It’s not easy, once you leave your country, once you leave your ties, once you leave your roots. It’s very difficult to come out of your country and settle somewhere else. Once you can do it, you can do anything in this world.”
Jeeval Tailor emigrated from Kenya in 2006, and is now a third year student at the University of Guelph-Humber. Even though Tailor knew English when she came to Canada, she notes that she still struggled with adapting to the different culture and wishes she had known about organizations such as the Rexdale Women’s Centre.
“I think programs that help immigrants into the community are really good tools for immigrants. If I had known about programs I think we would have put it to use and it would have made my transition a little easier,” Tailor said.
The Rexdale Women’s Centre provides immigrant women and their families services to integrate in Canada.
“The Rexdale Women’s Centre is definitely making changes in people’s life, these changes are tremendous. I have seen people growing and expanding their opportunities. We see more than 10,000 people every year who are receiving multiple services at the centre, which shows how many people are benefiting from our organization” said Dr. Akram-Pall.
Dr. Akram-Pall has been working at the Rexdale Women’s Centre for about 20 years and wants immigrants to know that community organizations can help guide them.
“Immigrants when they come here need to keep in mind that they have talents, skills, and strength to make a change in their life. When they come here they need to continue with the same spirit. Definitely there will be adversities, but take one thing at a time, no need to rush and you will be able to attain your destination.”
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