My first Air journey from India to Canada

Not long back, I had to move to Canada for study. I am an Indian by birth and after spending 18 years of my life in India, this is how it felt to be on the flight for the first time.

I completed my 12th grade and now it was time for the college. Then, my mother decided that she wants to send me out of country for graduation. I never objected what she said and the process begins. I cleared my pre-requisites and applied for a visa. It was the first time that deep down I wanted to fail but as usual I stood out and got the visa.

Now, it was the time to move, shopping done, tickets booked and there I start my journey of life where it was all me and I had to survive all by myself.

This journey would be one of the most memorable moments of my life. It was the first time that I experienced a flight. It was the economy class in world-famous airline Emirates. My journey was through the night and it was the longest night I have experienced yet. The night moved with me in the same direction as the plane. I started from Delhi airport and had a four hour journey that landed me in Dubai. Dubai in night is beautiful but through my teary eyes I could only see a blurry view. It was also my first time boarding a Metro that connected terminals inside the Dubai airport. I had a four hour layover at the airport before boarding the actual flight to Canada. I got an energy drink and sat there looking at all the different people.

Dubai airport is one of the quietest airport and strict in their security. I was a little intimidated by the security checks but made it through and sat in my second and final flight. A was accompanied by a couple that sat next to me. I was a bit uncomfortable because they were eating a lot of non vegetarian with drinks and all but kept my patience and ignored them. I watched a movie in the plane and enjoyed some good food.

I slept for some time, woke up and slept again. It was a long twelve hour flight. I landed in Canada somewhere around 9 in the morning. Now it was the time for immigration and permits. It was line of around 100 students waiting for permit with three immigration officers on duty. It was tiring to stand there after such a long flight but that was the only way out. I waited and waited and my turn came after 3 hours.

The immigration officer started asking me questions about my stay and purpose to be in Canada. And then comes this horrifying question. She asked me what school I am in and could not understand it. Being of India, we are used to call it a college. I asked her for a pardon but could not make it out again and then she said where are you going to study which finally made me realize that she is asking for the college. I gave the answer. Now, he doubts me on my IELTS score because she thinks that my listening skills are not good enough to get a score of 8.5. I was terrified at first but then kept confident. I started explaining her that there is difference between the words and accent between the countries. She did not say anything and the interview ended.

I was told by many that I was wrong on my part to give an explanation because she could have rejected my permit, but I believe in the fact that I was not wrong so I had to keep the confidence. I truly think that my silence would have caused greater harm than my words. I was clear in telling her that it is the accent and the usage of words that I can learn only after I am with the people who use it. I just came from a country with different usages and I feel she understood my point. My only say would be to stay confident and believe in yourself because only then the other person believes in you.

So, I went far into it. Then, I came out, collected my baggage and looked for the person who came to receive me. We met, she asked about my journey, the taxi arrived and we started for home.

Everything just changed in this longest night of my life. Now, I was on the opposite side of the road and the world at large.

I came out as a brave, confident and fearless person.

#IndianCanadian #StudentLife #Experiences