University of Regina welcomes int’l students to chilly Canada
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International students will be flying into Regina this weekend before a new semester begins and volunteers from the university are at the airport to welcome them to Canada.
Snow and cold temperatures greeted the students on Friday evening. Zishan Nasir held a bright yellow sign with the school’s name on it to show students they aren’t alone.
Nasir said he helps students with transportation and answers all of their questions about campus life. For many students, it’s their first time to Canada and sometimes they need help to deal with the cold.
“He lost his luggage and he was just wearing a light jacket so I give my own jacket. I was like, ‘OK, I’ll get it back from you later,’” said Nasir.
Brazilian student Maria Farnanda was prepared wearing a thick winter jacket, ear muffs, a hat and gloves. It is her first time seeing and touching snow.
“It feels like you’re touching sugar, everything is getting away.”
Faranda went from summer to winter, leaving behind 32 degree C weather in Brazil for wind chills of -32 degrees C in Saskatchewan. The cold weather couldn’t stop her from seeing a different part of the world.
“I want to know about the country, the people. It was my dream to do an exchange.”
Farnanda didn’t travel alone, when she touched down at the Regina airport she had her father, Fernando by her side.
“I was a little afraid of being by myself. Twenty hours of flights, I had connections and I didnt know how to do it and my daddy has experience in this situation,” said Farnanda.
The travel bug runs in the family; Fernando has traveled to Asia, Europe and North America and Maria’s sister is studying fashion in Paris, France.
Fernando plans to stay in Regina for over a week to make sure his daughter adjusts to living in a new country.
“She is so like a baby for me…She has throat problems, I hope she is going to be okay. She can protect herself.”
news@panow.com
On Twitter: @princealbertnow
