"Main factor was finding friends over here"

Asad Ali (he/ him)

Interviewer: Bhavpreet Singh Arneja

Participant: Asid

In this interview, Asad Ali, a 25-year-old international student from Pakistan, shares his journey from Dubai to Antigonish. After spending 19 years in Pakistan and five years in Dubai for his bachelor's degree, Asad moved to Canada on August 23, directly settling in Antigonish. He met the StFX recruitment director at a conference in Dubai, where they discussed Asad’s plans to move to Canada, and the director suggested Antigonish as his destination. Although he anticipated cultural differences, Asad found the community welcoming and faced few challenges thanks to his preparation. His main concerns were securing accommodation, which led him to live on campus, managing meals with a meal plan, and building friendships.