Memoir Collection

During COVID, my family and I traveled to Canada for our permanent residency. As our plane landed, I noticed the windows were completely frozen, and everyone was bundled up in thick jackets, scarves, and hats. Looking outside, I was amazed to see at least ten centimeters of snow on the ground. In Turkiye, snow rarely reached more than a couple of centimeters, so this was completely new to me. After we collected our luggage, we made our way to the subway. As we navigated the trains and tried to figure out the PATH underground, we got a little lost, which was stressful but also kind of exciting. Eventually, we found our way and walked through Downtown Toronto, carrying our luggage, toward our apartment at the Atlas Suites. Seeing the CN Tower towering above the city as we approached our building made the city feel enormous and full of possibility. The streets were busy with people and cars, and everything felt completely different from what I had ever experienced before.

This trip made me realize how different life can be in a new country. Everything felt unfamiliar, from the thick snow to the busy streets and complex subway system. I learned that moving to a new place requires patience and curiosity. Exploring Downtown Toronto, finding our way through the PATH, and finally arriving at the Atlas Suites gave me a sense of awe and showed me that even when something feels overwhelming, stepping into new experiences can be exciting and unforgettable.