Do you know how precious it is to have ‘usual days?’ Well, I know. I ride a bus every morning to go to school with m y friends. Looking at the multicultural city, I see people walking with their smile. In Canada, I am spending my ‘Usual days’ which I have released in Japan before.

The view from the bus was the same back in Japan but in different ways. Students were wearing school uniforms and people with grimace were walking. Everybody looked the same. I have spent ‘Usual days’ in a blessed environment, yet I was unfulfilled. I asked myself, “What am I studying for? What am I going to become?” I did not want the same thing anymore. I needed a change. Yes, it was time to say good-bye to this monochromatic world.

Flying alone was thrilling and exciting, yet frightening. The security gate at the airport was intimidating as if it were a wall that blocked my way. As I passed through the gate, I took my first step forward into the new world, as well as the gate that literally separated me from my family.

As I landed in Canada, a harmonious atmosphere welcomed me. I was surrounded by new things, new people, new place, which made me become motivated to start a new life.

Unfortunately, I encountered problems on my journey. Things never worked out as I expected. My life in Canada turned into an adventure. People talked to me in a friendly manner in English, but it sounded alien to my ears. I had no one to ask for help. When I looked in the mirror, a girl homesick and lonely stood and stared back. The girl in the mirror told me that she was afraid of Canadians, and she could not converse in English. I consoled her, “You’ll be okay. You can do it. That is what you decided to do – leaving your family and friends.” I told her that she can overcome homesickness, over and over again.

Luckily, I got used to living in Canada as time went by. The scent of the city was able to fill my heart with happiness. I still felt alone at times, but I learned to ease my mind with simple things such as a Starbucks drink after school. One day, I was heading to school, and I met a girl; a Japanese girl like me. She was sobbing like a child. I slowly and carefully approached her.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“I am alright, but I don’t understand what people are saying”, she quietly said.

“You will be okay; I’m going to help you”, I said.

“I am afraid of foreigners…”

“You will get used to it as I did. You will be alright.”

What I saw was my past self in that girl. What she said was exactly the same things as I felt before when I first came to Canada. What about now. Do I feel the same? Do I regret that I left my family and came to Canada? Of course, I miss my friends and family. But the answer is ‘NO’. I know how to solve and overcome difficulties on my own. The rough moment is over. I am standing, right here in Canada, on my two feet.

Making a big step in life or overcoming a challenge can be difficult and sometimes feel impossible to overcome. However, I believe that everybody should seize an opportunity to try something new. It can be said the challenge can cause a change in someone’s life. Coming to Canada was like opening a new door. I have conquered my fears and now, I welcome my new kind of ‘Usual days’.

 

 

I tried my best to describe how I felt and what I see, but I was not enough. Next time, I will try to find better and strong wards.