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“Education was the main reason why I came to Canada from Iran in 2016 when I was 17 years old. Back in Iran, I had two choices – medical school or engineering. I had the opportunity to study in the best programs offered in the country. However, I didn’t like the idea of deciding my future career at 17 so I traveled 10,000 kilometers in pursuit of more flexibility.

“I had been looking for a program that would expand my knowledge in all disciplines of science and teach me the proper way of conducting scientific research. I’ll never forget that moment on Dec. 8, 2016, when my high school counselor in Iran told me about the Integrated Science program at McMaster.

“It’s certainly been a challenge being alone and away from my family, friends, culture, and country. I miss the food and waking up to the smell of freshly brewed tea and sitting at a breakfast table with my parents and sister. But looking back at all the ups and downs, it’s definitely been worth it. And after my first year, I found a new group of people who I could call family.

“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned as an international student is that big changes in life are necessary every now and then. They come in, shuffle things around and eventually teach you a lifetime worth of lessons in a matter of weeks and months. The big changes will change our beliefs and experiences and force us to reconsider who we are and who we can become. I encourage everyone to seek changes once in a while and embrace change that comes without advance notice.”