Words by Yanni Wang
I came to Halifax as an international student to study nursing at Dalhousie University in 2015. I had just graduated from an international high school in China. Accepted to multiple universities across Canada, I was drawn to the quant maritime charm. I am not a fan of the big and flashy. Being close to nature, the ocean and living in a safe city with a milder climate were crucial for me.
Fast forward to the present time, I have been working as a registered nurse in Halifax for five years. I am going to my Oath of Canadian Citizenship next week. I have zero regrets about choosing Halifax as my home away from home. When it comes to why I came to Halifax and stayed here for almost a decade, as an introvert, I like to look within myself and evaluate my personal growth instead of looking at the external world.
I believe that the places we live, especially those during our youth, can have a lasting impact on our personality and worldview. Having been to most major cities in Canada, I have yet to encounter a more friendly group of people than maritimers. Of course, there are bad apples everywhere. But the good people far outweigh the bad. The kind people in my life taught me that there is a difference between being nice and being kind. Being nice is easy and superficial. Being kind can be difficult because it requires conscious efforts to think from other people’s perspectives, which can vary wildly from our own. We live in a world where kindness is underrated. My experiences in Halifax helped me to integrate being kind as part of my identity that no one can take away from.
Besides, folks here seem less concerned about wealth and status than having a good time. Being a goal-obsessed overachiever, Halifax toned down my type-A personality and taught me to enjoy the process. My most valuable lesson learned as a 20-something is to give my all in exchange for learning, growth and peaceful contentment rather than outcomes.
Additionally, despite its smaller size compared to bigger cities, Halifax has all the infrastructure needed for daily living. In recent years, we have seen the enrichment of the cultural scene with a rising number of people from all over the world choosing to settle in Halifax. For me, it is essential to have a diverse group of friends. Despite my need for alone time as an introvert, I have made friends from local areas and around the world in Halifax.
With all that said, it is not all rainbows and cupcakes. Currently, we have a lack of affordable housing options in Halifax. There are also fewer job opportunities compared to bigger cities like Toronto. My number-one advice for immigrants is to secure housing and employment before settling in Nova Scotia. Once these are taken care of, the maritime is an incredible place to live.
