Amir

"Amir, can you talk about your life in Canada so far?" 

"I am originally from Aleppo Syria. I came to Canada through Turkey where I lived for 5 years. I am fluent in Turkish and Arabic, but I arrived in Canada with limited English.

To be honest, it was hard in the beginning to get adjusted to a new country but I found Canadian people to be friendly. It gave me confidence to speak more freely.

I graduated from St. Catharines Collegiate High School and after graduation I got a job as a youth worker at the Folk Arts for the summer. I moved to Toronto after I enrolled in the Dental Assistant program at George Brown College but I ended up switching to Electrical Engineering at Niagara College. I hope to graduate in 2020."

"Amir, do you have advice for other newcomer youth?"

"I would say to them, try to find a job here. Your job will help develop your English skills. Nothing is impossible if you give effort. Make the correct choices in life. You have the power to say "no" to negative influences around you.

When I was in Turkey, it was always my dream to be able to work. Now I go to school full-time and work full-time as the Assistant Manager at Mucho Burrito, a Mexican Restaurant at the Pen Centre.

I hope to one day find a job in my field after I graduate, but for now, I enjoy being busy. This is my dream come true."