Undeterred by setbacks, Komal Samuel believed in her talents and launched her content material consulting enterprise in Ottawa.
In 2019, I packed my life into two suitcases and moved to Canada from Bengaluru, India — alone. It was my first time navigating an airport and flying on an airplane.
I felt a mixture of concern, pleasure, anticipation, thrill and the joy for the good unknown. I used to be the primary lady in my household to do one thing as loopy as this, however my household had religion in me and believed I used to be sensible sufficient to determine issues out. And I did.
With no household or mates ready for me in Canada, I’d booked an Airbnb in Toronto’s infamous Jane and Finch space —I didn’t understand it was infamous; I booked it as a result of it was low-cost. Nothing unhealthy occurred. Actually, I used to be superb — greater than superb, really. I nonetheless keep in mind these first few days after I stored bumping into individuals on the sidewalks in Toronto. I used to be used to strolling on the left aspect, whereas in Canada, everybody walks on the appropriate.
Strangers turned household
I started attending Northminster Baptist Church. Although I used to be raised Methodist, denominations don’t matter a lot to me. The church neighborhood welcomed me with open arms, and I quickly made mates. A sort couple from the congregation, Ingmar Bitter and his great spouse, supplied to lease me their visitor bed room after I was looking for dependable long-term lodging — a problem in Toronto. Although I lived with them just for a couple of months earlier than transferring to Ottawa, we turned mates. I’ll at all times be grateful to Ingmar and his household for his or her kindness. In 2023, they moved to Florida, USA, however I’m nonetheless in contact with this glorious household.
In January 2020, I moved to Ottawa to start out a brand new place as an engineer with a telecommunications and networking firm. Simply as I used to be settling into a brand new metropolis and beginning to construct new connections, the pandemic hit, disrupting the whole lot.
In 2021, I discovered solace in one other church neighborhood — Resurrection Church, a Presbyterian church this time. There, I met one other extremely type and welcoming retired couple, Trouborst Pieter and his spouse G, who confirmed immense like to me—a stranger. Lively church members and proud grandparents, they’ve change into household to me. Although we come from totally different worlds — I used to be born in India, they usually’re from Holland — we fashioned a robust bond with our shared religion, love, and humorousness. Now, I spend each Thanksgiving with them, along with a number of different dinner invitations all year long —eet smakelijk! (a Dutch phrase meaning “Get pleasure from your meal!”). I’ve grown to understand two issues–cheese and tulips!
A setback is usually a blessing in disguise
In 2022, I confronted a setback when my employment was terminated as a result of poor efficiency. My ego was harm, and I felt misplaced. Pieter and G, have been there for me, providing emotional help and serving to me navigate my subsequent steps. Whereas discussing this with a former coworker from Amazon, Abhinov Bardan, I discussed that I beloved writing. Abhinov, being a really considerate individual, recommended I look into technical writing, given my background in engineering. That very same yr, I went again to highschool to review technical writing. I noticed that setbacks are an important alternative to pause, replicate, realign, reinvent, and develop.
In 2023, two pivotal occasions considerably formed my life: changing into a author and a Canadian, which gave me a stronger sense of belonging and stability.
I began working for a semiconductor firm, as a workers technical author. It was an extremely fast-paced atmosphere, and I discovered much more about writing and communication there, than I did in my complete life. Nonetheless, regardless of the large studying and development working the 10-hour days on the workplace, with a 40-minute drive every manner, left me feeling burnt out, and I began to note some well being points. In June 2024, I made a decision to stop my six-figure job and some weeks later, I began my content material consulting enterprise—Keynote Copywriting. That is one thing I intend to construct whereas additionally taking over full-time employment.
New beginnings
Through the years, I’ve carved out my very personal Canadian dream. I need to contribute meaningfully to society with my abilities and discover the good Canadian outdoor.
There are a lot of individuals I haven’t talked about on this story who’ve supported me and proceed to take action. I would want to put in writing a e book to cowl all of the acts of kindness I skilled in Canada — a venture I would discover sooner or later. I additionally had some heartbreaking experiences in my private life throughout this time, however that’s a narrative for one more day. I’m saying this to be as clear as potential and to not paint an excessively rosy image of life in Canada. Regardless of these challenges, my life has solely change into higher .
I thank everybody who has been part of my journey for his or her love and acceptance. They make my life higher and gave me the energy to maintain transferring ahead. Right here’s to new tales, goals and friendships… cheers!
The put up Embracing change: Turning setbacks into success first appeared on Canadian Immigrant.