LifeInBitesAndBytes

My First Canadian Interview: A Story of Respect, Belonging, and Hope

A few weeks ago, I sat down for what would become a defining moment in my journey, my first job interview in Canada. If you have ever stepped into the unknown, especially after crossing oceans, cultures, and systems, you will understand the mix of hope, humility, and quiet nerves that comes with that moment. You have prepared. You have believed. But still, will this be the place where I am truly seen?

It began with a phone call, from HR. Not a cold script, not a checklist voice, but a human voice. Warm. Calm. Reassuring. She listened. She smiled through her words. I did not feel assessed. I felt welcomed. Within minutes, the tension I did not even realize I was holding, melted. What followed was a process marked by clarity, kindness, and intentionality. There were several thoughtful stages, not hoops to jump through, but bridges being built. Then came the interview itself, a panel of three. Three people who did not just interview me, they engaged with me.

They asked about my work in Sri Lanka, not as a distant footnote, but as lived expertise. They did not just nod politely, they leaned in. “How do you see that translating to the Canadian context?” they asked, not skeptically, but curiously. Collaboratively. With genuine respect for the weight of experience I carried across borders. They were direct. Transparent. Professional, yet unmistakably human. There was no pretense. No power play. Just three people, deeply committed to their institution, looking for someone who shared that commitment, and who could grow with them. Then came the offer. I expected a start date in the new year. Reasonable. Expected. But no.

“We would like you to begin December 17th.”

December 17th, in the heart of holiday season. Amidst closures, leaves, and festive bustle, they chose inclusion over convenience. They prioritized me, not the calendar. Why? Because they believe that real onboarding is not just about logistics, it is about belonging. They want me present. Present to learn, to connect, to settle, not to rush, but to mingle with the culture, to feel at ease before I step into full stride. Their words stayed with me.

“We want you to be comfortable. To feel like you belong, from day one.”

And here is what moved me most. I never once felt “foreign.” Not a token. Not an outsider. Just me, Mano, the educator, the administrator, the collaborator, brought in not despite my background, but because of it.
Before I arrived in Canada, well-meaning voices warned me:
“You won’t find work in your field.”
“You will have to start from scratch.”
“Your experience may not count here.”

To those voices, and to everyone still walking this path, I say this, gently but firmly;
• Yes, you can.
• Your experience matters.
• Your voice has value, exactly as it is.

But none of this would have been possible without the people who stood with me, long before this moment. First, my incredible referees, Thank you, from the depths of my heart. Your thoughtful, generous, and deeply personal reference letters did more than endorse my credentials, they humanized my journey. You spoke not just of what I have done, but of who I am, a collaborator, a learner, a leader with integrity. I believe, truly, that your words played a pivotal role in this outcome. This win is yours, too.

To my darling parents, whose quiet sacrifices built the foundation of everything I am. You worked tirelessly, saved carefully, and believed fiercely, not for fame or fortune, but so your child could think, question, grow. You taught me that education is not a privilege to hoard, it is a responsibility to honour. This moment is your legacy.

To all my teachers, from the school classroom to the university lecture hall, thank you for seeing potential where others saw limits. You did not just teach subjects; you modelled compassion, discipline, and curiosity. You showed me that a great educator does not fill minds, they ignite them. I carry your voices in my own teaching today.

To the organisations and institutions where I have had the privilege to serve. Gateway College, SLIIT Business School, Curtin University, and others, thank you for rounding me. Through leadership roles, challenging projects, student crises, budget decisions, curriculum redesigns, and late-night strategy sessions, you shaped me not just as a professional, but as a person. You taught me how to listen before leading, how to hold space before speaking, how to serve before succeeding. Those years were not just a résumé line, they were my apprenticeship in humanity, responsibility, and resilience.

To my darling husband, my love, my partner, my safe harbour, this chapter exists because of you. You were the catalyst for our move to Canada, not for ambition alone, but for hope, for our children, for our future, for a life built on mutual growth. And when the path got steep, you were my shock absorber. When doubt crept in, you held me, not with empty reassurance, but with steady presence. You listened to my fears, dried my tears, and still believed, even when I could not. You did not just support me, you saw me.

And to Sri Lanka’s free education system, often under-acknowledged, yet profoundly powerful, thank you. It was not perfect, but it was just. It said, your postcode does not define your potential. It gave a child from a modest background access to libraries, labs, mentors, and dreams. That system equipped me not just with knowledge, but with resilience, critical thinking, and the confidence to stand tall, even in a developed, competitive landscape like Canada. Today, I stand not despite that education, but because of it. Let this be proof, when equity is baked into the system, excellence will follow, anywhere in the world.

So if you are searching, for your next role, your next home, your next affirmation, here is what I have learned.
🔹 Study the culture, not to mimic, but to understand.
🔹 Know Canadian values, equity, collaboration, humility, and reflect on where they live in your story.
🔹 Be unapologetically you. Authenticity is not a risk. It is your greatest asset in a world hungry for real connection.
🔹 If there is a skill gap, close it. Not out of fear, but out of love for your own growth.
🔹 And above all, never, ever give up. Not on your dreams. Not on your worth. Not on the belief that the right door will open, and when it does, it may open wider than you dared imagine.

My first Canadian interview was not just a step toward a job. It was a reminder, that professionalism and kindness are not opposites, they are partners. That institutions can be human-centered. That after years of contribution, leadership, and quiet resilience, your moment will find you. And when it does, Breathe. Smile. Say yes, and walk in, not as someone trying to fit, but as someone finally arriving, grateful, grounded, and ready to give back.