In a gloomy basement, all by myself, I was drawing a bright picture of my Canadian dream in my mind. I pictured myself holding a microphone, interviewing a famous celebrity. But the sudden scurrying of a rat and a loud thud from the floor above snapped me out of my reverie. It was time to prepare for my job at a local retail store.
Six months had passed since I moved to Canada, leaving behind a safe job as a journalist and my life in India. With my dreams packed neatly into suitcases, I arrived in Toronto. The towering skyscrapers, pristine roads, luxury cars, and intricate flyovers nourished the seed of confidence within me, the hope that I was on the cusp of a successful career and a prosperous future.
That seed of hope was quickly crushed as I reached my rented basement in Brampton, my new home in a foreign land.
The Reality of a Basement Studio
Perhaps you wonder why I chose a basement studio. The answer lies in the exorbitant housing costs in Canada, especially in major cities like Toronto. Renting a basement was the most economical choice for a newcomer. Little did I know that this economical option would come with its own challenges.
Before my arrival, social media showed me only the glamour: the food, the stores, the attractions. But the reality of a cramped basement with compromised safety, steep rent, uncooperative landlords, lack of natural light, and crawling rats and worms was never revealed. The constant thumping from the floor above became the soundtrack of my new life.
Isolation was another challenge. The landlords and neighbors were polite, but distant. Many saw newcomers like me as temporary residents who would eventually move to condominiums once they secured stable employment. The solitude, the cold, and the darkness of my room began to take a toll on my mental well-being.
Having been a journalist for eight years in four reputable media houses in India, I initially pursued opportunities in my field. I scoured job boards, emailed editors, and even visited offices in person. But rejection after rejection made it clear that I needed to adapt to survive.
I turned to job fairs, bustling halls where employers offered opportunities to hundreds of hopeful candidates. Dressed in my best attire, I rehearsed my lines and submitted my resume over and over. But most recruiters were too busy to listen, politely promising to follow up. The much-anticipated calls and emails never came.
Finding Solace in Nature and People
Amid the gloom of my basement and the unyielding career challenges, two things kept me going: nature and people.
Sunny afternoons, breezy evenings, and the surrounding pine trees, colourful flowers, lush parks, and serene lakes became my lifeline. They provided solace and renewed my spirit to face the hurdles ahead.
Equally uplifting were the diverse people I encountered. Strangers greeting me in parks or exchanging small gestures of kindness bolstered my resolve to face another day.
Months passed. Despite my best efforts, I had no choice but to accept a position in retail to make ends meet. The computer that once helped me craft impactful articles now assists in processing orders and billing. My interactions shifted from reporting on public grievances to helping customers find the right outfit.
While my current career may differ from my original aspirations, the seed of ambition remains firmly planted. It nurtures the hope that one day I will return to writing, to inspire and create a positive change in Canadian society.
Even in the darkest moments, I remind myself why I came here. Canada offered a chance to start anew, and I cling to that opportunity. Each day, each challenge, and each small victory strengthens the belief that my dreams, however delayed, are still possible.
The basement, the rats, and the thumping floors are just part of the journey. The seed of my Canadian dream continues to grow.
By – Somya Lohia
