ARRIVAL LOUNGE
TEACHER LEARNS ABOUT NEW CULTURES
Anindita Saha.
By SHIPRA CHAUDHURY
Born and raised in India, Anindita Saha studied and worked in several countries over the past decade before moving to Canada in 2017.
Currently employed at one of Ontario’s public colleges as manager of Strategy and Finance and a professor for online learning, she says she grew up wanting to become an educator.
“As the saying goes, life is but a shipwreck of our plans. I do not have long-term plans at the moment. For now, I wish to grow in my career, meet people, build strong friendships, and positively contribute to my community and the country at large,” she says.
“I had some wonderful teachers in my school and university days who inspired me. Teaching is one of the few professions where you can touch people’s lives and make a real difference.”
Armed with a master’s degree in economics from India, her first job was at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI). But before she could complete her probationary period, an offer from the Ministry of Education in Singapore to teach Economics in Singaporean High Schools combined with a full scholarship for a post-graduate diploma in education was something that she could not resist. The next five years saw her engage in a steep learning curve; not just because of the new way of work and study but also to be able to integrate with the community and culture, develop a taste for the local food, get familiar with the roads and public transport and also understand Singaporean English, commonly known as Singlish.
“Gradually, I learned them all and built lasting relationships with students, colleagues, and some wonderful neighbours,” says Saha, recalling her years in Singapore. “In navigating a new country, I realized that I was also developing a passion for teaching.”
Saha’s next stop was in the UK for two years, where she did her MBA and worked at a London-based consulting company, building strategies to support organizational learning and development opportunities before finally moving to Canada.
Why Canada?
“Canada is a multicultural country that provides a lot of resources and support for newcomers,” declares Saha. “I had friends whose stories and experiences made me believe that it was worth a shot. To be honest, when I first came here I was not sure if this is where I would like to be. But the warmth that I received during my first few years and the camaraderie that I was able to build with the people convinced me that it is the right choice. Toronto’s vibrant life, the people, the food, the city’s landscape, mesmerize me even today.”
Her experience of teaching in Canada is different from her previous assignments.
“Teaching mature students comes with its challenges – some of my students are working professionals, who have real-life experience in the industry,” she says. “I like that my students always keep me updated on the current trends and changes in the industry. Here I am not just teaching, I am also learning so much in the process.
“Being in a management position at my current institution, I am involved in project and financial management, new program development, program audits, market research, etc. This role has helped me to learn many skills, work with different stakeholders and community partners, build partnerships, and ensure education is accessible to everyone, including the Indigenous population.”
Saha goes on to explain the pros and cons of using technology, and how new technologies such as ChatGPT and Open AI are making it increasingly difficult to ensure originality in students’ work. She believes that regulations in the use of such AI-supported technology might help both educators and students understand academic integrity and the true essence of education.
She describes the process of adjusting to life in a new country. “We all know that moving to a new country brings many hardships and challenges as well as new opportunities. The winter weather and driving (or even walking) on the right side of the road/sidewalks are the two things that took a while for me to adjust to. I heard a lot about the weather, but experiencing it first-hand was a different ball game altogether, especially when there is a winter snowstorm!
“I heard a lot about the weather, but experiencing it first-hand was a different ball game altogether, especially when there is a winter snowstorm!”
“Before moving to Canada, in the countries where I have been (India, Singapore, and the UK), driving on the right-hand side is the practice. Simple things, such as standing on the left-hand side of the elevator so others can walk past from the right-hand side, would come naturally to me. But in the initial days in Canada, I am sure I have blocked so many people on the elevators or almost bumped into someone on the sidewalk!
“What I love most about Canada are the provincial parks and how easy it is to be close to Mother Nature. My husband and I enjoy hiking, camping, and taking our canoe through the narrow creeks and lakes. We enjoy nature and love spending time away from the hustle-bustle of city life. Now I take my eight-month-old daughter Tiara for walks, especially in the short summer months.”
Saha has the following tips for newcomers to Canada:
“Perseverance, hard work, and belief in yourself are all you need to be successful here. The first few years can be challenging, in terms of finding a job that you aspire for, settling down, and making ends meet, with the current inflation and interest rates. But it is not impossible. Canada offers a lot of resources for newcomers. Funded workshops and training programs are available at zero cost. Public libraries are a great place to visit and gather information. Taking advantage of these resources helps one build contacts and eventually the life that one wanted!”
• If you’d like to share the story of your arrival in Canada, please write to desinews@rogers.com or call 416-695-4357.