Immigration can sometimes be a very tiresome process through the experiences one has to pass to achieve the desired goal of settling in a foreign place. Despite immigration being this sophisticated, many opportunities and transformative experiences are encountered. My transition to Canada was a transformative experience that tested my resilience; I encountered several setbacks but eventually landed many opportunities that made me fulfil my childhood dream.
Due to economic challenges facing my country, Nigeria, many people like me found it difficult to develop mentally and economically, forcing us to migrate to other countries to search for greener pastures. My dream to work in Canada was fuelled the moment I received a confirmation email. The email confirmed to me that the teaching job I had applied for earlier to teach law at the University of Ottawa was successful. Immediately after going through the terms and the details contained in the letter, I gathered my essential documents, including a health clearance certificate, my academic qualifications, and an original copy of the letter. The next task was to acquire a visa since one must have a visa to be allowed to leave the airport. Most countries worldwide use this method as an official way of allowing movement from one country to the other, which also was a mandatory requirement for me so that I could move from my home country, Nigeria, to my dream work destination, Canada. In my country, Nigeria, it normally takes between three to five weeks for a visa to be processed; I received mine in the third week after the application. Despite the bureaucratic difficulties that came my way during the whole process, it did not surpass the anxieties I had about landing in my dream country, Canada.
Sooner enough, the departure day arrived. As usual in my country, when a person was going away, especially to another country, one had to inform every member of their family. It is always an emotional experience when one says goodbye to the people they care for, but at this particular moment, I had to put up a stone face and accept the situation I was in because I could not afford to miss the golden opportunity that had come my way, after the years of struggle to find a job in my country. After performing all the rituals I was required to, I headed to the airport two hours earlier. It was my first time travelling abroad, and the feeling gave me more anxiety to the point that I could not afford to miss my flight. Although having anxiety of this kind is considered normal, individuals should not hesitate to approach doctors because this kind of anxiety can cause serious problems in an individual’s life.
Touching down at Vancouver International Airport overwhelmed me with excitement and made me nervous. Everything I set my eyes on was so exciting; the good views and smooth sounds all around made me believe that I was welcomed; it did not take me long before I realized that the environment was very new to me and that I had to navigate all through by myself. The local transportation systems were more complex compared to those in Nigeria. This made it so challenging that I needed help finding a better accommodation area. Canada had diverse cultural practices that could not be adapted easily; the transition was slow; however, the citizens’ willingness to help and their courtesy smoothened the transition.
Patience and the willingness to embrace change were determining factors in having a settled life in Canada. I was forced to familiarize myself with their etiquette and the country’s customs; in the process of identifying opportunities so that I could fit into the local community, I made friendships because I could not do it on my own. Through these friends, it was easy to connect with other immigrants from different parts of the world, some of whom are still my true and dependable friends up to date. Attending cultural events also contributed heavily to the process of learning and socializing. To be able to navigate through all these practices and even access essential survival services such as healthcare, one needs persevering and an open-minded person.
Time passed, and Canada felt like home. I started my teaching job after waiting for one month as our documents were being verified; it came to my realization that I was not the only foreigner who had applied for the job. There were other Africans, some of whom taught the same subject while the rest had specialized in other areas. I had developed a sense of belonging through the deeper connections I had established with my new community; through this bond, life became easier, and many opportunities arose. I started earning even more than what the university paid me. My personal and professional growth increased tremendously, and I could not believe that all was happening at such a first-rate. To have a fulfilling life in Canada involved sticking to what landed me here. I prioritized my profession, and by doing so, I played an important role in promoting local initiatives and acknowledging the beautiful diversities in Canadian culture. It was through all these achievements I made within the short period that I realized Canada is where I belonged.
Gilman argued that traditionally women’s autonomy is limited by gender roles, which suppresses individuality. When immigrants navigate new cultural diversities, sometimes they are exhausted to the point that they may experience lost autonomy. The need to understand and adapt to new customs and norms can erode one’s sense of identity (Hill, 2018).
Hill, (2018.) Gilman highlighted the social isolation and marginalization experienced by women confined to domestic roles. Similarly, immigrants, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, are socially isolated and excluded in the foreign community. Gilman criticizes the discrimination and unfamiliar social networks that inbounds the feeling of being isolated among marginalized individuals. If this was the case here in Canada, my life could have been more difficult, given that my origin is from a marginalized community.Despite the challenges, Gilman’s emphasis on empowerment and resistance offers a lens through which to view immigrants’ agency and resilience. We, as immigrants, including women, should not give up on the struggle of navigating these unfamiliar environments. As for me, if I had given up, I would not have been enjoying the fruits of my struggle.
From Erving Goffman’s theory of the front stage and backstage. The “front stage” is a representation of public interactions where individuals represent themselves in different kinds depending on the social context. During social occasions, individuals tend to put up carefully crafted behaviours and fake appearances so that they are acknowledged in the specific niche they are in. On the other hand, the “backstage” entails more private displays; in this case, an individual faces zero pressure to impress those around him or her. Everything done here is done freely and with self-fulfilment. When adjusting to foreign cultures, the theory of front stage and backstage contributes to balancing authenticity to align with the demands of social performance (Serpa and Ferreira, 2018.)
Nixon, E. (2020). Goffman introduced the concept of role distance. Role distance is when individuals become choosy of the roles they are expected to play in society; in my own experience, I became lucky since I got a job even before landing in Canada, but even if I were allowed to do something else, I would still consider it due to the flexibility I had and my determination. When immigrating to new countries, people carry with them different cultural identities, which in turn affects the consideration of job allocation from host countries. These back-and-forth situations need a considerate agreement that will satisfy both the immigrant’s cultural diversities practices and the host society’s norms.
Du Bois’s theory of double consciousness lays down a compelling framework to assist in understanding the experiences encountered when moving from one country to another. My self being black on white soil took me courage and bravery to be able to make it to make it to where I am currently. Remembering my first days in Canada, I had to overcome all the racial segregation moments that mainly occurred in my professional experience; many of my students in lecture rooms were white, and as far as I was concerned, the students never took me seriously, but I had to find ways to convince them that despite my origin I still had all that it takes to make a perfect teacher. As an immigrant, I experienced a sense of otherness as I struggled hard to assimilate into the Canadian culture while, at the same time, I had to preserve my own identity (Meer, 2019). These conflicting issues reflect DuBois’s theory of double consciousness, which states that individuals can navigate new environments and still be able to maintain their cultural roots.
Immigrating from Nigeria to Canada transformed my life tremendously and strengthened my determination and adaptability. From the day I received the email offering me a job throughout the visa application process, all the challenges I faced, from leaving behind my people to now having a peaceful stay here in Canada, all these events boosted my personal and professional growth, and now I feel grateful because I can refer to Canada as my second home as I give my contribution to its vibrant and diverse tapestry. Going the extra mile, taking risks, and perseverance laid the foundation of my new home in Canada.
References
Hill, M. A. (2018). Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Struggling with feminism in Womanhood. In Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Routledge.
Meer, N. (2019). WEB Du Bois, double consciousness and the ‘spirit ’ of recognition. The Sociological Review.
Nixon, E. (2020). The fool, the hero, and the sage: non-consumption narratives as role distance from an urban consumer-self. Consumption Markets & Culture.
Serpa and Ferreira (2018). Goffman’s backstage revisited: Conceptual relevance in social interactions. Int’l J. Soc. Sci. Stud.
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