Calgary, the vibrant city nestled in the heart of Alberta, Canada, has been a beacon of opportunity for many seeking a fresh start. Among them are Filipino students who have chosen to pursue their dreams of education and career advancement at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Leaving behind the comforts of the Philippines, these students embark on a journey filled with challenges and triumphs as they strive to build a better future for themselves and their respective families.
For many Filipino students, leaving the Philippines to study in Calgary represents a significant leap of faith. They trade the warmth of tropical shores for the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, adapting to a new climate, culture, and way of life. Yet, armed with determination and resilience, they embrace this change wholeheartedly, recognizing the immense opportunities that await them shortly.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Filipino experience in Calgary is the strong sense of community that thrives among its members. At SAIT, Filipino students find a supportive network of peers, faculty, and staff who understand the challenges of adapting to a new environment. Among these students are Elaine, Sigrid, Randall, Lauren, Ally, and Edalyn, who formed a tight-knit group, supporting each other through shared experiences.
All taking up Administrative Information Management under the renowned Department of Business, these students found strength in each other’s company. They share notes, help one another navigate through coursework, and provide emotional support, especially during times of heavy school load coupled with the demands of family life.
“We come from different backgrounds back home, but when we arrived in Calgary, we had very similar circumstances which is our common denominator that acts as the foundation of our bond” shares Sigrid, who moved to Calgary with her husband and 6 children.
And that bond they claim is so unique to international students that they need to own it and use it as their new starting point. “It’s never easy to uproot yourself to a new country, but when you find someone with very similar experience, it’s like a treasure you want to keep for life” shares Lauren, who has 2 kids and moved to Calgary with her husband Eric.
Randall, a successful car salesman back in the Philippines believes that connecting with other students despite having some of his immediate family members in Calgary, as his mother and brothers came to Canada ahead of him, “other international students get you, and they understand you, which is very important as you do not need to explain the challenges one does through. As a young father to 2-year-old Calum, this is important as this gives him time to properly balance his daddy and school duties.
For Elaine, going back to school has a lot of challenges and entails a lot of discipline, especially in time management. Though not new to uprooting herself, as hubby John and their children lived in Dubai and Singapore for some time, before coming to Canada, she still notes that “Aside from school, we also need to be conscious of the challenges in the transition of our kids into a new way of life. So are not just thinking of ourselves, but for other partners and children as well”. Eds also reveals “It is not easy, and there are times you doubt if your decision to move was correct, but if you look at your children who are adjusting and doing well, then somehow you stop thinking of the challenges and get excited about what lies ahead”
Despite their respective schedules, demands of part-time jobs, balancing family duties, and other responsibilities, Elaine, Sigrid, Randall, Lauren, Edalyn, and Ally make it a point to get together regularly. Whether it was for study sessions at the library, potluck lunches or dinners featuring homemade Filipino dishes, or weekend outings exploring the sights and sounds of Calgary, these gatherings provided moments of respite from the rigors of academic life.
Ally shares “Celebrating birthdays together, lending a helping hand in times of need, or sharing the latest news on an academic schedule, these shared experiences and mutual support are enough reasons to that I feel will stand the test of time, long after our days here at SAIT.”
The story of Elaine, Sigrid, Randall, Lauren, Ally, and Edalyn is a testament to the power of friendship and community in overcoming the challenges of being an international student. They exemplify resilience, determination, and a spirit of camaraderie or “Bayanihan” that define the Filipino international student experience in Calgary.
As they continue their journey of learning and growth, they serve as beacons of hope and inspiration for others, reminding us of the transformative power of support and solidarity in building a brighter future for ourselves and our loved ones, no matter where one’s path may lead.
REPRINTED FROM MABUHAY CALGARY NEWSPAPER (March issue)
