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  Amani from Kuwait: Wishes

  Amani Alrefae

  Amani Alrefae, along with her spouse and children, relocated from Kuwait to Canada three years ago. She finds purpose in aiding others, which brings balance and comfort to her life. Amani, who completed her ESL studies, is now a student in the Social Service Worker program at Sheridan College. She aspires to attain a Bachelor's degree to become a certified social service worker. She recognizes the significance of preserving her mother tongue in the development of her family's social and cultural identity.

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  Hetvi from Surat: Never give up

  Hetvi Dhimar

  Hetvi originates from Surat, a city located in the western region of Gujarat, India. Her mother tongue is Gujarati, and her name signifies an overflow of affection. At present, she is enrolled in Sheridan College's TESOL Plus program. One valuable life lesson that she has imbibed from her grandfather is to persist through difficulties. Hetvi's passion lies in crafting poetry, and she aspires to impart English education across diverse nations in the forthcoming years.

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  Yohaxa from Colombia: Colombian memories linger

  Yohaxa Piedad Guerrero Garcia

  Yohaxa Piedad Guerrero Garcia and her family departed from their lively hometown of El Banco Magdalena in Colombia in 2018 to start a new life in Canada. Although she has successfully acclimatized to her new surroundings, she longs for the cherished memories of her hometown, particularly the annual holiday tradition of lighting candles on the streets, and the companionship of her sister, whom she had to leave behind.

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  Rupali from India: Never be lost

  Rupali Grover

  Rupali Grover is a Sheridan TESOL Plus graduate. After graduation, she worked as an ESL teacher at Sheridan College before moving to Alberta. She came to Canada from India three years ago. She has a YouTube channel called "Spicebox Global," where she shares global food recipes and narrates stories of home.

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  Ruba from Jordan: The old town

  Ruba Kallab

  Ruba Kallab, a Sheridan TESOL Plus program graduate, immigrated to Canada from Jordan with her spouse and six children almost four years ago. She has a passion for dancing, particularly Dabke, a lively traditional line and circle dance with roots in Jordan, Middle Eastern culture, and Bedouin tribes. Ruba is now a teacher in the ESL program at Sheridan College.

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  Mariam from Lebanon: I love you Lebanon

  Mariam

  Mariam's childhood was marked by frequent relocation due to the civil war in Lebanon. She spent her formative years in countries such as Iraq, Jordan, and Syria. She has three grown-up children who reside in Canada. Mariam immigrated to Canada along with her visually-impaired partner three years back. She is currently pursuing ESL studies at Sheridan College and is employed as a school bus driver catering to children with exceptional needs. Mariam nurtures the aspiration that someday the war in Lebanon and the Middle East will come to an end.

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  Sachee from Sri Lanka: Food as a value system

  Sachee Ranaweera

  Sachee Ranaweera has a strong passion for teaching and guiding individuals to become their best selves. In 2022, she immigrated to Canada with the intention of becoming a teacher and has a long-term goal of improving the education system in her home country of Sri Lanka. Sachee has also observed significant differences in food cultures between the East and West, which reflect distinct values and beliefs. She is a Sheridan TESOL Plus graduate and is currently a teacher in the ESL program.

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  Stephanie from Singapore: Burung KaKak Tua

  Stephanie Samboo

  Stephanie Samboo, the Associate Dean for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sheridan College, immigrated to Canada from Singapore in 2000. She credits her grandfather for being the most influential person in her life, as he motivated her to pursue higher education. Stephanie holds her family name in high regard as it is reflective of her heritage, and hence she decided against changing it after getting married.

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  Raquel from Brazil: Home is where Mom is

  Raquel Albano Scopinho

  Raquel Albano Scopinho and her two sons arrived in Canada in January 2022, leaving their home country Brazil behind after the passing of her spouse. After arriving to Canada, Raquel studied ESL at Sheridan College. Her ultimate goal is to ensure her sons' happiness and witness the birth of her grandchildren.

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  Zafar from Pakistan: True light of victory

  Zafar Syed

  Zafar Syed serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sheridan College. Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, Zafar and his family relocated to Vancouver, Canada, when he was 11 years old. As a first-generation immigrant to Canada, he attended a Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) class for a year to learn English before starting high school. Zafar faced challenges during his early years, which later influenced his research interests in language, identity, and educational practices. With nearly three decades of experience, he has contributed to educational development in Japan, Hawaii, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada.

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  Tessie: Story from Vietnam

  Phan Quynh Tram

  Phan Quynh Tram - Tessie - came to Canada from Vietnam about two years ago, seeking a good education and lifestyle. She studied ESL at Sheridan College, and is now in the Early Childhood Education program. She misses her parents and practicing Taekwondo. She dreams of travelling world wide to help people in need and volunteer in humanitarian activities.