Arriving With Hope

(September 15, 2023)

I left Syria in 2020 because I did not want to join a war. I moved to Turkey for three years,  but then an earthquake hit the country and I had to start again. I landed in Canada on September 15, 2023, full of hope. I dreamed of a place where I could build a better future, thrive, and give back to the community. But behind every refugee story, there is a long journey filled with challenges most people never see. 

After seeking legal advice, I made the difficult decision to request protection and begin my life in Canada as a refugee claimant. 

The First Five Months: Surviving Without a Work Permit 

The first months were the hardest period of my life. Without a work permit, I had no access to legal employment, no credit card, and no ability to sign a lease. 

I walked for hours every day looking for any opportunity. I applied through LinkedIn and Indeed, asked organizations for help, and knocked on doors in person. Eventually, a friend connected me about a shawarma restaurant that offered cash-based work because they did not require a work permit. It was not ideal, but it kept me alive and helped me pay for rent. 

Those months I spent living in expensive Airbnb rooms because no landlord would rent to someone without documents. After some time, I finally found a room from a landlord willing to rent without a formal contract. 

Finally Getting a Work Permit  and New Challenges 

When my work permit arrived, I thought: This is it. My life starts now. 

I began receiving interview calls from different organizations, but many of them turned out to be scams something newcomers learn the hard way. 

After months of trying, I found work at a car dealership. I studied hard to pass the exam, and became an OMVIC-certified dealer. (This certification means the dealer is legitimate, regulated, and your purchase is covered by significant consumer protection laws in Ontario.) 

But the unexpected happened the police shut down the dealership. And once again, I had to start from zero 

Rebuilding Through Education and Volunteering 

I refused to give up. 

I enrolled in the Digital Marketing Bridging Program offered by ACCES Employment and Humber College it was Hybrid program for Ontario residents. It opened my eyes to Canadian workplace culture and expanded my network, but still, no meaningful job came my way. 

So I took another path  volunteering. 

I joined the Arab Community Centre of Toronto (ACCT), where I helped organize community events and even landed two interviews there for. Youth Team lead and Digital Navigator. Although I didn’t get the jobs, the experience strengthened my confidence and leadership skills. 

Then I learned about a youth employment program that helps newcomers gain Canadian experience. That opportunity led me to Jumpstart Refugee Talent. 

Joining Jumpstart: A Place to Be Yourself 

Working at Jumpstart changed everything. I found a team where I could be myself, learn, contribute, and grow professionally. I’ve now been with Jumpstart for 11 months as a communications intern, and even though I’m still searching for a long-term meaningful role, I wake up every day motivated. Alongside my work, I am studying for the PMP certification. (The Project Management Professional credential is the gold standard in the project management world and is one of the most widely recognized across all industries globally), taking steps to strengthen my future career prospects. 

 Living in Limbo: The Reality of Being a Refugee Claimant 

It has now been two and a half years in Canada, and I am still waiting for a final decision on my refugee claim. 

This waiting affects every part of your life: 

• You cannot plan your future. 
• You cannot travel for work. 
• You cannot study under domestic tuition. 
• Many employers lose interest when they hear the words: “refugee claimant.” 

Even when you perform well in interviews, the system can work against you. Employers hesitate because your work permit has an expiry date, and they fear instability. 

But despite everything we keep going. 

What I Learned 

• No matter how strong your interview skills are, you still need to understand how the system works. 
• Canada’s economy is challenging right now, but we must continue learning, adapting, and preparing. 
• Every opportunity, big or small, can change your path even a conversation with someone at the gym. 
• Survival jobs are sometimes necessary, but they do not define your potential. 

My Message to Refugees 

Never surrender.
Keep trying new paths.
Don’t underestimate small opportunities.
Prepare yourself now, so when the right opportunity comes, you are ready. 

Most importantly: 

If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. 

Your future is still unfolding. And every struggle you face today is shaping the strong, resilient leader you will become tomorrow.