Home isn’t just a place: How a Malaysian student adjusted to life in Canada
Raihanah Rahim’s decision to study in Canada began with a bold proposal to her parents. After finishing high school at 17 and completing her A-Levels, she found herself facing limited university options in Malaysia. The schools her parents considered “good” didn’t offer her admission, and private universities were simply too expensive. She presented an alternative: “If you really want me to go to university, I want to study in either Canada or Australia.” Between the two, Canada stood out for its educational opportunities and welcoming approach to immigrants after graduation.
She arrived in Winnipeg in August 2018 and began her post-secondary studies at the International College of Manitoba (ICM) before transferring to the University of Manitoba. Adjusting to life in a new country brought some surprises. “Growing up in a conservative country, it was surprising to see things like marijuana being legal or alcohol being allowed on campus,” Rihanah recalls.
Even the everyday routines felt unfamiliar. Cooking meals from home often meant making trips to several stores for ingredients. Cultural norms around food, religion, and even parenting felt drastically different. “Back home, eating with utensils was considered fancy. Most people just ate with their hands,” she says. She also noted that being Muslim felt different here too. They way Islam is practiced and perceived in Canada doesn’t always match what she grew up with.
Raihanah has lived in the St John’s College Residence for seven years and describes it as a key part of adjusting well in Canada. “Even though I’m living away from my parents, I don’t feel like a stranger here. The community is small, so you’re likely to walk past the same people often and make new friends.”
Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Raihanah had to confront another reality of being Asian in Canada; discrimination. The rise in anti-Asian hate was unsettling. “I’d get long stares when people would walk past me, assuming I was Chinese,” she says. Strangers would ask offensive or ignorant questions like, “Do Chinese people really eat cats?” or “You’re Muslim, so where’s your hijab?” While initially uncomfortable, Raihanah now tries to ease the tension by responding with humor.
When she’s missing home, attending events hosted by the now-combined Singaporean and Malaysian Student Association helps her feel at home and reconnected with her culture.
To Raihanah, Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity within Asian communities. “Not all Asian cultures are the same,” she emphasizes. It was important to Raihanah that the different traditions and values were recognized as separate.
Her advice for newcomers? Don’t isolate yourself. “Go out and make new friends. Even if you’re shy, show up to events, hang out in the dining hall, and eventually someone will come to talk to you. Staying home just makes you more homesick.”
Like many newcomers to Canada, Rihanah’s adjustment wasn’t always easy. Many deal with the discomfort of culture shock, discrimination and hardship; however, many also find community. Sometimes it’s through communities that share your culture, and other times through those that simply offer support and care. At St John’s College, we strive to offer both. With our diverse community of residents, faculty and staff, we hope you’ll find your home away from home.