“ in cold weather with warm hearted canadians” by izzah zahin aliman
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Student Exchange Programme 2012 - Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)TRANSCRIPT
IZZAH ZAHIN
BINTI ALIMAN
“ In cold weather with warm hearted Canadians”
A chance to spend 10 days in Canada (spent most of
the time in Toronto; – Ottawa - Quebec) as part of
IIUM - IIT Student Exchange Programme is a dream
come true for me. I have to admit I had no idea how
much my cross-cultural trip to Canada would
broaden my perspective before I went there. O
Canada! This vast land has gorgeous landscapes,
thriving wildlife, colourful Native Canadian cultures,
and modern cosmopolitan cities - not to mention a
language selection of English and French.
(From http://www.torontomuslims.com/)
Toronto hosts the highest percentage of
Muslims in North America .
The Greater Toronto Area also has the
second highest number of Mosques and
Islamic centres in North America.
This dynamic community is expanding at an
extraordinary pace, nearly doubling in the
last 10 years.
In conclusion, the Greater Toronto Area has one of the most ethnically diverse Muslim
communities in the World!
I thoroughly enjoyed this experience especially spending time with my lovely host family.
Staying with a host family is an opportunity for cultural exchange. I must admit I have
seldom felt more at peace while travelling away from home. I was placed to stay in the
house of ‘dad’ Kareem and ‘mom’ Safoora Hamid alongside with Qurratu ‘Aini. They have 2
daughters about our age, Atiya and Mobeena. I felt so welcome whereby these people are
friendly, very polite, educated and have a sense of joie de vivre. My host family provided me
breakfast, packed lunch (for travelling), dinner, and some snacks throughout our stay. When
stayed in their home, I was able to speak to them every day. My host family is there to assist
in answering any questions I might have and help me address any concerns that may arise.
Homestay lets me enjoyed the comfort of a normal home. Homestay provides an
opportunity for people from different cultures to live and learn together. My host family
learnt about Malaysia and its cultures and helped me adjust to living in Canada. One has to
adapt, embrace the diversity and enjoy experiences that are sometimes alien and strange.
The experiences I encountered will be ones that I never forget.
In Islamic Institute of Toronto, we attended classes taught by Canadian prominent Islamic
scholars. The richness came from the very knowledgeable facilitators, an atmosphere that
encouraged us to further our learning by being open about ideas and to engage in open
discussion… also, a terrific week in gorgeous locations; definitely will be the most
'memorable' seminar or class I have been to.
The things to do and see in Canada are as vast as the country itself. For me, the best time to
view the fall foliage will undoubtedly to have my camera ready to see the leaves change into
spectacular reds, oranges and yellows. My friends and I went to Rideau Hall in Ottawa. We
took a short stroll along trails in the park; it appeared to me like some sort of small forest
that ablaze with rich colours. Canada's skyline glowed like embers when the sun rises and
sets and the surrounding leaves boasted the stunning kaleidoscopic colours.
Of course talking about Canada, maple syrup is a wonderful souvenir to bring back for my
loved ones. Especially, syrup in the decorative maple leaf shaped bottle. I absolutely
brought home a bunch, reminiscing having Canadian breakfast every day in Malaysia! As a
natural wonder, Niagara Falls is also one of the places I have been to. One’s destination is
never a new place, but a new way of seeing things. As visitors stand on the either side, in
Canada or the United States, people can see the amazing picture of the falls. For this to be
created by man would seem to me to be impossible. According to the meaning of a Prophetic
Tradition, "Be in the world as if you are a traveller or a Wayfarer...”. All I have seen - teaches
me to trust the Creator for all that I have not seen.
In short, I was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown by all the people I met. I will forever
be grateful for those conversations across the table, across cultural differences, and across
language barriers. Alhamdulillah... I am grateful. I would love to return to Canada, definitely
want to go back to this place and spend more days in this beautiful land.
> From left: Aini, me, mom & dad
> Mom’s specialty: Carrot rice and grilled salmon with thyme + parsley sauce
> Canadian style breakfast: Pancakes with maple syrup
> Niagara Falls: An enormously popular tourist destination and it also serves as a major source of electricity for Ontario.
> The fabulous fall foliage. Lovely! ~ ~
> Maple leaf - the most widely recognized national symbol of Canada
> My friends and I at the Peace Tower. It is a focal bell and clock tower, sitting on the central axis of the Centre Block of the Canadian Parliament Building in Ottawa, Ontario.