by Grace Kusta-Nasralla

Created on: September 19, 2008   Last Updated: September 20, 2008

THROUGH THE EYES OF AN IMMIGRANT

Here I am in a foreign country with just my passport, my suite case and plenty of memories from back home. I walk the airport terminal floors with excitement yet anticipation for what is to come. I come to this country with lots of dreams and expectations. Will I be able to fulfill my dreams? Will I meet all these expectations? Only time will tell... I just want to enjoy the moment and leave the worries of tomorrow till then.

I complete custom procedures and finally I enter the country as an immigrant. Night time seem to be passing quickly as I anxiously wander the streets of downtown Toronto, wondering what the next day in this strange place may bring. At sun dawn and as the warm sun rays started beaming through the sky, I find myself rushing to the subway to go and line-up at the nearest immigration office. I did not think it will be a drag! Waiting seem to be endless... The digital screen displaying the numbers starts drawing closer to my number, and unconsciously I start looking through my documents wanting to make sure that I have everything they may ask for. At 2:00pm my number gets displayed. I head to the clerk behind the desk all shaky and anxious, not knowing what to do I quietly utter: "Good Morning!". The lady behind the desk then gives me a dull look and with a cruel tone says:"Good Afternoon!" Feeling the stress control me I then deem that my stay in this country may end this day.

Ice breaks as the lady discovers that I am not a brainless foreign creature, in fact by the time she finishes my start-up papers I surprisingly get a smile and a gentle goodbye from her! With relief I rush home and go straight to bed as I was feeling emotionally and physically drained.

Next day, it was time to go to the Ministry Of Health as to apply for my Ontario Health Insurance. What are the chances of getting another grumpy face when my turn comes to submit my papers? Just thinking about it gives me a notch in my stomach... I prayed somebody will notice how scared and insecure I am and will offer to help. Starting up in a foreign country is not easy after all!

Unfortunately, all the government offices I went to had clerks with unkind faces. As if they grew dead to the cases of new comers they see everyday. Its sad, but it is the reality new immigrants have to contend with every day.

The first week slips away quickly and I start looking for a job. All jobs require Canadian experience, which I do not have as I am new in the country. Is

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