Canadore College welcomes refugee student
The school year starts for many on Tuesday and for one student at Canadore College, it’s a start of a new life.
"The journey from the Middle East, Jordan, it was so hard. That time was so hard because I was leaving my friends and family to come to Canada," Sameer Aljabawi said.
"The life in the refugee camp was so hard. You need to work hard, know how to take care. You don’t get opportunity, no chance, you must work hard for the future to get out."
Aljabawi is enrolled in the pre-health science program at Canadore and hopes to pursue a career in the medical field.
"This program will let me commit to something, kind of medical, or dental hygiene. Something like that," he said.
Aljabawi came to North Bay through the college's partnership with the World University Services Canada Student Refugee Program, giving him pathway to becoming a permanent resident in Canada.
Canadore’s student health insurance is covering the cost of his tuition and living arrangements.
"We’re looking forward to not just what we can give him, but what he can give us," said Aamir Tayieb, from the college's international services department.
"We change him, Canada changes him, North Bay changes him, Canadore changes him, but Sameer changes us as well. Sameer changes Canada, Sameer changes Canadore College. He’s the only student refugee we have."
Aljabawi told CTV News he thinks North Bay is beautiful and said he’s looking forward to starting class next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
'Wild, wild west.' Families say organs of deceased Alabama inmates have been removed without their consent
The state Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama at Birmingham face disturbing allegations from the families of five inmates whose organs were removed and reportedly kept without consent, according to a series of lawsuits.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed from Trump hush money trial as prosecutors seek to hold former president in contempt
A juror in Donald Trump's hush money trial was dismissed Thursday after expressing doubt about her ability to be fair and impartial, and the status of a second New Yorker picked for the panel was in limbo amid concerns that some of his answers in court may not have been accurate.