IZZAH ZAHIN BINTI ALIMAN

“ In cold weather with warm hearted Canadians”

A chance to spend 10 days in Canada (spent most of

the time in Toronto; – Ottawa - Quebec) as part of

IIUM - IIT Student Exchange Programme is a dream

comes true for me. I have to admit I had no idea how

much my cross-cultural trip to Canada would

broaden my perspective before I go there. O Canada!

This vast land has gorgeous landscapes, thriving

wildlife, colourful Native Canadian cultures, and

modern cosmopolitan cities - not to mention a

language selection of English and French.

(From http://www.torontomuslims.com/ )

Toronto hosts the highest percentage of

Muslims in North America .

The Greater Toronto Area also has the

second highest number of Mosques and

Islamic centres in North America.

This dynamic community is expanding at an

extraordinary pace, nearly doubling in the

last 10 years.

I enjoyed this experience especially spending time with my lovely host family. Staying with a

host family is an opportunity for cultural exchange. I must admit I have seldom felt more at

peace while travelling away from home. I was placed to stay in the house of ‘dad’ Kareem and

‘mom’ Safoora Hamid alongside with Qurratu ‘Aini. They have 2 daughters about our age, Atiya

and Mobeena. I felt so welcome whereby they are friendly, very polite, educated and have a

sense of joie de vivre.

My host family provides us with breakfast, packed lunch (for travelling), dinner, and some

snacks throughout our stay. My host family is there to assist in answering any questions I might

have and help me address any concerns that may arise. Homestay lets me enjoyed the comfort

of a normal home. Homestay provides an opportunity for people from different cultures to live

and learn together. My host family learns about Malaysia and its cultures and helps me adjust to

living in Canada. One has to adapt, embrace the diversity and enjoy experiences that are

sometimes alien and strange. The experiences I encountered will be ones that I never forget.

At the Islamic Institute of Toronto, we attend classes taught by Canadian prominent Islamic

scholars. The richness came from the very knowledgeable facilitators, an atmosphere that

encouraged us to further our learning by being open about ideas and to engage in open

discussion… also, a terrific week in gorgeous locations; definitely will be the most 'memorable'

seminar or class I have been to.

The things to do and see in Canada are as vast as the country itself. For instance, my friends

and I went to the Rideau Hall in Ottawa. We take a short stroll along trails in the park; it appears

to me like some sort of small forest that ablaze with rich colours. Canada's skyline glows like

embers when the sun rises and sets and the surrounding leaves boasted the stunning

kaleidoscopic colours. For me, the best time to view the fall foliage will undoubtedly to have my

camera ready to see the leaves change into spectacular reds, oranges and yellows.

Of course talking about Canada, a bottle of maple syrup is a wonderful souvenir to bring

back for my loved ones. Especially, syrup in the decorative maple leaf shaped bottle. I

absolutely bring home a bunch, reminiscing having Canadian breakfast every day in Malaysia!

As a natural wonder, Niagara Falls is also one of the places I have been to. One’s destination

is never a new place, but a new way of seeing things. As visitors stand on the either side, in

Canada or the United States, people can see the amazing picture of the falls. For this to be

created by man would seem to me to be impossible. According to the meaning of a Prophetic

Tradition, "Be in the world as if you are a traveller or a Wayfarer...”. All I have seen - teaches me

to trust the Creator for all that I have not seen.

I was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown by all the people I met. I will forever be

grateful for those conversations across the table, across cultural differences, and across

language barriers. Alhamdulillah... I am grateful. I would love to return to Canada, definitely

want to go back to this place and spend more days in this beautiful land.

> From left: Aini, me, mom & dad

> Mom’s specialty: Carrot rice and grilled salmon with thyme + parsley sauce

> Canadian style breakfast: Pancakes with maple syrup

> Niagara Falls: An enormously popular tourist destination and it also serves as a major source of electricity for Ontario.

> The fabulous fall foliage. Lovely! ~ ~

> Maple leaf - the most widely recognized national symbol of Canada

> My friends and I at the Peace Tower.It is a focal bell and clock tower, sitting on the central axis of the Centre Block of the Canadian Parliament Building in Ottawa, Ontario.