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In a nutshell, the entire journey I had as a recipient of the Global Affairs Canada Scholarship through the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program is difficult to condense into a single page. It was fruitful, allowing me to reap kinds of fruit that never decay—valuable experiences, life lessons, and genuine connections that last. 

When I left home, I was doubtful whether I would survive living in an unfamiliar place with diverse cultures. Turns out, those two aspects were the ones that made me feel at peace. I was surprised knowing that everybody around me was adjusting too, and the diversity that I was once afraid of became my quilt, embracing me with warmth when homesickness tried to knock me out. Studying abroad is not as lonely as it seems, most especially when you are supported by people who genuinely try to make your stay memorable--I did not feel lonely at all, not even for a second. 

I was aware of how welcoming people in Canada are, but how they treated us was so heartwarming. On campus, a random woman will tell you how beautiful you look wearing green. In classrooms, a professor will reiterate that you are doing great--that will make your day, as you attend classes feeling exhausted by the thought that you are doing less than what you know you are capable of. Canada made me feel at home, even if I am miles away from my family. 

The New Brunswick Community College’s school officials, my professors, and my classmates were always prepared to set a foot forward when I struggled. From bus detours, navigating Saint John, meeting deadlines, and even helping me find the BA II Plus calculator, a special type of calculator required in one of our courses. I vividly remember even the measures that may be deemed small, as collectively, they helped me settle in as my routines transitioned to an opposite time zone. 

Living in an unfamiliar place made me pursue growth even more. Gaining friends and meeting my friends’ friends as well enabled me to build connections progressively. Asking questions means learning new things for me, and because of that, I was able to step out of my comfort zone and meet people I never knew I needed. It was vital to do things even amid my doubts and fright, for those were the moments that brought enlightenment as I continued my student journey in Canada. The simplest questions asked sprouted into friendships, and those connections will forever live in me. 

They say that if life gives you lemons, you should learn how to make lemonade from them. In my case, I was able to make not just jars of lemonade. The lemons that this scholarship gave me were in abundance, which allowed me to make sweet and savory pastries too. With the knowledge that being a SEED scholar is both a gift and a responsibility, every opportunity that came my way was sweet, and I savored them with a grateful heart while staying grounded to my roots. 

And so, if I were to give any advice to future international students, I would say: Prepare yourself for a chapter that will both challenge and change you. You may feel small against the country you are about to explore, but you will find yourself standing tall—like you can conquer the world for your journey as an international student were rich with valuable experiences. 

Obstacles will try to hinder you from here and there, but those will only make your success feel more worthwhile. Live in the moment, maximize every learning opportunity, and let the community be your temporary family while you are still figuring things out. This once-in-a-lifetime chance will sow further pursuits within you as you grow up. Therefore, your garden must have space for each of them. 

Champaine Lagrimas
SEED Scholarship Recipient from St. Paul University Quezon City, Philippines