Move and Adjust

Moving to a new country is always a challenge, but when you’re six years old, the world is already full of mysteries. When my family moved from South Africa to Canada, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. I wasn’t worried about leaving behind familiar places or saying goodbye to friends—I didn’t have the emotional awareness for that yet. Honestly, I thought of it as an adventure. Not as a challenge or obstacle.

The first thing I remember about Canada was the cold. South African winters were mild compared to the bone-chilling Canadian ones, and I didn’t really know how to dress for Canadian winters.

I remember stepping outside and feeling the kind of cold that made my fingers tingle instantly. Snow was gorgeous and looked beautiful when it sparkled, but it also meant layers of clothing, clunky boots, and struggling to walk without slipping.

Language wasn’t a barrier—English was already familiar to me—but cultural differences were everywhere. Small things confused me, like why people would say “sorry” even if they weren’t at fault. The concept of “indoor shoes” at school was new to me, as was the idea of snow days. Some things I loved instantly, like the novelty of snowmen and sledding. Others, like feeling out of place, took longer to adjust to. 

The Challenge of Moving Again and Again

As if adjusting to a new country wasn’t enough, my family didn’t stay in one place for long. We moved several times within Canada, which meant constantly adapting to new schools, new houses, and new faces. Each move felt like starting over from scratch. Just when I would get comfortable, we would pack up again, and I’d have to figure out how to fit in all over again.

I developed a habit of observing before speaking. Every new place had its own unwritten rules, and I learned to pick up on social cues quickly. This made me adaptable but also hesitant—I wasn’t the kind of child to immediately run up to new classmates and introduce myself. Instead, I listened, watched, and slowly found my place.

Finding Comfort in the Little Things

One of the biggest comforts during this transition was food. While everything else changed around me, my family kept cooking the same meals from home. The smell of familiar spices, the taste of dishes I grew up with—these things made me feel grounded no matter where we moved. Even now, certain flavors instantly bring back a sense of belonging.

Another thing that helped were the people who helped us adjust to such a new place. Everywhere we went, we had friends who would help my family and take us out to experience all the new things Canada had to offer. It only made it feel more like home. 

The Shift: From Outsider to Belonging

Because of such good friends, it didn’t take long before I stopped feeling like I was in between two worlds.

Over time, Canada became home—not because I forgot where I came from, but because I grew into this new space.

I learned to appreciate the diversity around me, realizing that many people had stories similar to mine. Having other immigrant families who had also gone through the same thing, helped my family and I adjust much faster.

Looking back, I’m glad I experienced moving and adjusting to new places. It shows that in the future I’ll be able to move around and be flexible. I think it’s good to have that sense of making anywhere home. And moving around as a child, definitely built that into me, and I’m so grateful for that.

Advice for Others Going Through the Same Experience

If I could give advice to other kids (or even adults) moving to a new country, it would be this:

1. Give yourself time. Adjusting doesn’t happen overnight. Some things will feel exciting and new, while others will be frustrating and difficult. Both feelings are okay.
2. Hold onto pieces of home. Whether it’s through food, language, or traditions, don’t feel like you have to let go of everything familiar. Those things are part of who you are.
3. Be open to change. At first, everything will seem different, but with time, those differences will become part of your normal.
4. Find something that makes you feel connected. For me, it was being active and having a huge support system. For others, it might be sports, music, or art. Having something to anchor you helps.
5. You’re not alone. It’s easy to feel like an outsider, but so many people have gone through similar experiences. Finding community—whether through school, neighborhood groups, or shared interests—makes all the difference.

The Now

Now, when I think of Canada, I don’t feel like an outsider anymore. I’ve learned to embrace both sides of me. One side, Canadian. Other side, African. And both parts have been able to blend and shape me into the person I am today. They’ve both helped me grow and learn as a person.

Change is never easy, but it’s often where we grow the most. And for me, that journey started with a six-year-old stepping into a world of snow, wondering what came next.