Eman Ahmad (Al Sayyah): "I believe that being resilient, self-motivated, and focused on success all together helped in building up my family’s road map."
Eman knows all too well what it means to start over in a new country and the challenges that brings.
After all, she was born and spent her early childhood in Iraq, moving from country to country in her youth, before her family settled in Saida, Lebanon where she witnessed part of the civil war and the unsafe turmoil in the region.
Once an adult, the travelling didn’t stop.
An English teacher by profession, Eman left the Middle East in 2001 after her marriage and moved to the United States of America, where she stayed for about five years.
But her ultimate goal was always to settle in Canada, where she and her family arrived in 2006.
Her first few years in the country were challenging, says Eman, who is of Palestinian and Jordanian heritage, but has never lived in either country.
First, she was raising her son by herself in Mississauga. She also had to work survival jobs while trying to validate her credentials and degrees and navigating a new system without much help.
“I didn't know about settlement agencies or any form of support, so I did things on my own,” Eman says.
“Though I have degrees in English and spoke the language fluently, it was not enough as some tools were lacking, and I was on the look for a starting point but no opportunities came out. It wasn’t easy to get to the teaching profession here, but there were other alternatives such as teaching English to newcomers as this would be a great beginning to give back to the community while teaching.”
After she had her twin daughters in 2007, Eman went back to school, graduating with honours from Humber College’s Teaching English as a Second Language program.
But by the time she received her citizenship, the family decided to move back to Lebanon.
It was a decision that brought its own set of challenges, Eman says. Lebanon is a beautiful country, but it had limited opportunities for her and her children, who were considered Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, she says.
“Many things changed after we returned to Lebanon although I always look back at the positive aspects, for the kids were able to know their extended families, learn Arabic and get the culture exposure,” she says.
After all, she was born and spent her early childhood in Iraq, moving from country to country in her youth, before her family settled in Saida, Lebanon where she witnessed part of the civil war and the unsafe turmoil in the region.
Once an adult, the travelling didn’t stop.
An English teacher by profession, Eman left the Middle East in 2001 after her marriage and moved to the United States of America, where she stayed for about five years.
But her ultimate goal was always to settle in Canada, where she and her family arrived in 2006.
Her first few years in the country were challenging, says Eman, who is of Palestinian and Jordanian heritage, but has never lived in either country.
First, she was raising her son by herself in Mississauga. She also had to work survival jobs while trying to validate her credentials and degrees and navigating a new system without much help.
“I didn't know about settlement agencies or any form of support, so I did things on my own,” Eman says.
“Though I have degrees in English and spoke the language fluently, it was not enough as some tools were lacking, and I was on the look for a starting point but no opportunities came out. It wasn’t easy to get to the teaching profession here, but there were other alternatives such as teaching English to newcomers as this would be a great beginning to give back to the community while teaching.”
After she had her twin daughters in 2007, Eman went back to school, graduating with honours from Humber College’s Teaching English as a Second Language program.
But by the time she received her citizenship, the family decided to move back to Lebanon.
It was a decision that brought its own set of challenges, Eman says. Lebanon is a beautiful country, but it had limited opportunities for her and her children, who were considered Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, she says.
“Many things changed after we returned to Lebanon although I always look back at the positive aspects, for the kids were able to know their extended families, learn Arabic and get the culture exposure,” she says.
During her 10-year stay in Lebanon, Eman worked as an English teacher, co-ordinator and tutor. Now separated, Eman also took on the responsibility of raising her three children by herself.
Despite being back home, Eman and her children still wanted to return to Canada.
After many years of yearning and having to overcome stop-travel orders, among other issues, Eman eventually came back to the country in August of 2020 – just as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world – so her oldest son could attend university in Canada.
The move meant starting over once again for Eman.
“I had to leave my job and everyone I had made connections with and settle again in a new place. My kids needed to feel safe, comfortable, and at home, so the struggle was real at first.”
“I was new to London, and I did not know where to start,” she adds. “But I had tremendous faith and a plan. I believe that being resilient, self-motivated, and focused on success all together helped in building up my family’s road map upon returning.”
Though Eman admits there were challenges at the beginning, she says she’s already seeing the fruits of her sacrifices.
Her son, for instance, is majoring in computer science at the University of Toronto. Both her daughters are nearing graduation from high school.
“You can never give up on yourself or your family,” she says. “I feel this is the real success that I have achieved so far, and I am willing to do it again if I had to.”
Eman encourages newcomers to not hesitate seeking help from settlement, employment, and social agencies, which can help make integration easier for newcomers.
It is also important to handle new situations with patience, a levelled mind, and positivity as the settling process differs from one person to another, she says.
“Upon returning, I was enrolled in Employment Counselling support through Will Employment Solutions, which increased my confidence in navigating the job market,” she says. “I also got involved in a few volunteer activities to contribute back to the community.”
Today, Eman works as a Program Operations Manager at South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre, where she first started in April 2021 as a Community Connection facilitator.
She’s also a member of the Senior and Faith group through the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership, helping improve integration efforts for newcomers to London.
“I have a great passion to support the community not only through my role but also through everyday encounters,” she says.
“I gladly share my experience in the past three years so that other immigrants can feel that there are opportunities available for them here.
Despite being back home, Eman and her children still wanted to return to Canada.
After many years of yearning and having to overcome stop-travel orders, among other issues, Eman eventually came back to the country in August of 2020 – just as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world – so her oldest son could attend university in Canada.
The move meant starting over once again for Eman.
“I had to leave my job and everyone I had made connections with and settle again in a new place. My kids needed to feel safe, comfortable, and at home, so the struggle was real at first.”
“I was new to London, and I did not know where to start,” she adds. “But I had tremendous faith and a plan. I believe that being resilient, self-motivated, and focused on success all together helped in building up my family’s road map upon returning.”
Though Eman admits there were challenges at the beginning, she says she’s already seeing the fruits of her sacrifices.
Her son, for instance, is majoring in computer science at the University of Toronto. Both her daughters are nearing graduation from high school.
“You can never give up on yourself or your family,” she says. “I feel this is the real success that I have achieved so far, and I am willing to do it again if I had to.”
Eman encourages newcomers to not hesitate seeking help from settlement, employment, and social agencies, which can help make integration easier for newcomers.
It is also important to handle new situations with patience, a levelled mind, and positivity as the settling process differs from one person to another, she says.
“Upon returning, I was enrolled in Employment Counselling support through Will Employment Solutions, which increased my confidence in navigating the job market,” she says. “I also got involved in a few volunteer activities to contribute back to the community.”
Today, Eman works as a Program Operations Manager at South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre, where she first started in April 2021 as a Community Connection facilitator.
She’s also a member of the Senior and Faith group through the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership, helping improve integration efforts for newcomers to London.
“I have a great passion to support the community not only through my role but also through everyday encounters,” she says.
“I gladly share my experience in the past three years so that other immigrants can feel that there are opportunities available for them here.