Eseosa came to Canada at 16 as a migrant student, with the hope of pursuing her education and building a life with greater opportunities and safety. She has now been in Canada for more than 10 years. For her, growing up in Canada meant growing up between two cultures. She arrived from a tropical environment and found herself in Winnipeg, one of the coldest cities in Canada. The weather was an adjustment, but so were the culture, school system, friendships and the challenge of finding where I belonged. Eseosa tells her full story here:
Canada proved to be a lonely place at first, but church, community, friendships and finding familiar pieces of home helped me navigate those early years. Over time, I learned that adapting doesn’t mean losing who you are, because I now understand Canadian culture and how things work here without letting go of the values and experiences that shaped me.
My career journey has been anything but straightforward. I started working while as a student and moved into social services, working with diverse communities. In time, I learned that building relationships, networking, building confidence, mentorship, and positioning are just as vital as qualifications for success.
I started a not for profit initiative and, more recently, became a published author of my book, Healing Growing Hearts. Each experience has taught me resilience, purpose and helped me understand the kind of impact I want to make.
What I Would Do Differently
If I could go back, I would be more intentional about building relationships and seeking mentorship. There were opportunities after university that I didn’t pursue simply because I didn’t know they existed or didn’t know how to access them.I also would have invested more in maintaining relationships and been more intentional about seeking advice before starting new ventures. Most importantly, I would have been kinder to myself. Sometimes we become so focused on surviving and succeeding that we forget to appreciate how far we’ve already come.
My Advice to Other Women of Colour
My advice is simple: be wise, but don’t be afraid. Pursue the career, education, business or life you genuinely want without fear. Don’t apologize for wanting more for yourself. Build good relationships, remain teachable and be open to learning from people who are different from you. At the same time, be discerning about who you allow into your inner circle.
There will be moments when you feel underestimated because you are a migrant, a woman or a person of colour. Don’t let those experiences define you. Learn when to be patient, when to walk away and when to advocate for yourself. And build something of your own.
It doesn’t have to be a business. It could be a career, a family, a book, a community, a skill or simply a life that reflects your values.
My journey is still evolving, but I’ve learned that migration is not just about surviving in Canada. It’s about growth, contribution, purpose, and building a legacy that lasts.
Your life is your legacy.
So dream. Work. Learn. Build. And don’t be afraid to start again.
Eseosa tells her story from Toronto, Ontario.
