Countdown to Canada: Nine days to Go

By Deborah Oshidero, University of Calgary, Canada

With my flight just 9 days away, the countdown is starting to feel real. It still hasn’t fully sunk in that I will be spending a year in a completely new continent and honestly I don’t think it will till I set foot in Canada. It feels surreal, but as the days get closer, my preparation has shifted into full gear.

One of the first things on my list has been stocking up on medication and skincare. It may sound like a tiny detail, but these are essential items that may not be easily accessible abroad – especially specific prescriptions or the brands I’m used to. My skincare is also important, especially with Canada’s colder climate, compared to the UK, my skin will need time to adjust. Knowing I’ve packed familiar products and enough to last me till I am next home gives me one less thing to worry about whilst I settle in.

Hair care has also been high on my list. As a black woman, it will be tricky to find stylists abroad who understand how to work with my hair for an affordable price won’t easy. In Northern America the prices of braids are highly inflated being almost double what we pay in the UK. That’s why I’ve scheduled my braids appointment as close as possible to my departure date – so they last longer, and I feel confident during my first weeks in Canada. It’s a small act of preparation but will make a huge difference once I am there.

The one thing I don’t have complete control over is my visa. With my departure date getting so close, it’s been stressful waiting for it to arrive. I’d be lying If I said I wasn’t anxious, late nights checking reddit for other people updates and comparing processing times. Seeing other students finally getting theirs over the past few days has made me more hopeful. In the meantime, I’ve been in touch with my exchange advisors to discuss my options, including the latest possible arrival date at the university in case I need to move my flight. It’s reassuring to know there’s some flexibility, and I’m reminding myself that patience is part of the journey too.

The next few days are going to be a blur of packing, last-minute errands, and goodbyes, but I am trying to embrace it all, each step getting me a bit more ready.