It took me a while to realize how privileged I truly am. I’ve always lived a relatively comfortable life, but it wasn’t until recently that I fully grasped how fortunate I am to have what I have. After living in Montréal for three years, it became clear just how lucky I am — not just to be here, but also to have the skills needed to thrive in this environment.

Looking back, it’s fascinating to see how the things I once took for granted have come together to make everything work out in my life. One of the first things I noticed from a young age was my knack for learning languages. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But since moving to Montréal, this “talent” has proven to be not only valuable but essential for thriving here.

I began learning French in 2019 and had a decent command of the language before moving. However, since arriving in Montréal, my French has improved at an incredible pace. I can confidently say that my French is now stronger than most of the other languages I learned before it. French plays a crucial role in everyday life in Montréal. Without it, I would have missed out on countless precious moments and meaningful friendships. I doubt I would even have my current job without fluency in French, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to proceed with my application for permanent residency.

I’ve always done well academically, but for the longest time, I took that for granted. I never saw it as an ‘advantage’ in life because I couldn’t perceive any tangible benefits. However, towards the end of my master’s degree, my perspective shifted. I realized that my academic abilities had opened doors, not just allowing me to work on fascinating problems but also to excel in them. I was exposed to domains I hadn’t known existed and introduced to novel, cutting-edge ideas.

Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate to have the unwavering support of my family and friends. The success I’ve achieved today is truly a team effort — I couldn’t have made it here alone. Above all that, I must also recognize that I am fortunate enough to have the financial means to pull off what I did in my last 3 years here in Canada. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and for the journey that has brought me to where I am today, I truly am privileged.