A proud Canadian-Congolese-Romanian believes Canada’s strength is our diversity
Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2019 15:08:32 +0000
My name is Patricia Marie-Antoinette Mayaza Mwilu Kumbakisaka, and I am a proud Canadian-Congolese-Romanian. How often do you see Romanians with last names such as ‘Kumbakisaka’? You are probably used to see last names like ‘Florescu’ or ‘Stefanescu’.
People call me the ‘citizen of the world’, ‘global citizen’ or the ‘United Nations’. When you first hear me speak, you cannot tell where I am from. I have what people call an exotic or unknown accent. That is because I am fluent in five international languages: Belgian-French, English, Greek, Swahili and Romanian. A very bizarre combination of languages to know, don’t you think?
Born in Romania, Bucharest, I lived there for the first three years of my life, after which my family lived in Athens, Greece for seven years. Greece was where I did most of my elementary school years. My family originates from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in central Africa and we moved around a lot because my parents were working with diplomats. I’ve never been to DRC but I hope to visit one day.
Coming to Canada
In February 2000, when I was 10 years old, my parents decided to immigrate to Canada and picked Winnipeg, known as ‘Winterpeg’, because that’s where work brought them. When we moved to Canada, some of the challenges I encountered was with English, because I was used to speaking and writing Greek in school. My brain had to switch, but luckily while living in Athens my parents had enrolled me and my two older siblings into after-school English lessons. Although I barely used it in Greece, I would speak English at home sometimes with my parents or at diplomatic dinners I would attend with my family.
Canada was not a hard country for me to adapt to. As soon as I came here with my family I saw how diverse it was, which is what makes this country so rich and beautiful. I had realized my entire life was somehow like Canada. When I was in Greece, I was the only black kid in school. I stood out, also because I was the tallest! All my elementary school friends still remember me because nobody could forget the tall black girl they went to school with.
I loved Canada when we moved here and fitting in was no problem since I was already used to being around so many cultures. In the beginning, I did miss the Greek culture, the food, my friends and just everything about Greece and my teachers and school but I got used to it.
I completed my university studies at the University of Manitoba in political science focusing on international relations and foreign service. Having the opportunity to live in different countries, being surrounded by many cultures and having had parents working with diplomats inspired me to go into this field. I knew at a young age I wanted to find work helping the world, and working with people from different countries. I decided to pursue my lifelong career objective because I am passionate about our government, human rights issues, the world of politics and interactions among nations and international entities. We are affected by the decisions our government makes, and as an international relations specialist, I would like to be part of the team that helps the world better understand the issues affecting world populations.
I had the opportunity to represent Canada at the UN youth Association in Romania three years ago, and last year, I went to work short term as the Canadian Delegate at the United Nation Assembly in New York.
I also have designed and run a project partnering with the United Nation Association of Canada called Canada’s Diversity Advantage, in which I engage youth and mentors around Canada in an interactive sharing of multi-generational lived-experiences that will cultivate a deeper understanding of the journey of individuals who have contributed to building Canada and shaping its shared heritage. I led the rollout of the program in schools and community centres and raised awareness on the migration patterns of Canadians over the past years. The program also enhanced youth appreciation of their country’s diverse population and its contribution to Canada’s identity.
I now reside in Ottawa, where I am working for one the largest labour unions in the Federal public service. Both of my parents still live in Winnipeg and have been a very strong inspiration to me, and they too have come a long way. It is my turn to continue further in life.
My goal is to one day become an ambassador/diplomat and continue to represent and serve Canada. It will take time but with my strong determination it will happen.
Advice to young immigrants
I understand it can be very challenging for newcomers when they come to Canada. If you came as a child, youth, or young adult don’t be discouraged. Take the time to figure out what you are passionate about, find ways to get involved in the issues you care about, find mentors and ask questions and most importantly – volunteer. You do not know how far volunteering can take you. It is also important to reach out to mentors or people who you may know/meet that have worked in the same dream job you are aiming for. Do not be shy or scared to ask for guidance.
If you don’t have the chance to live and travel in many different countries, that is totally fine because when you live in Canada you also get to work, meet and become friends with people from other cultures. It’s also very nice to understand other cultures, and attend and participate in cultural festivals.
What makes Canada so special and strong is its diversity. It is what each and everyone of us is bringing to this country; we are not just contributing our skills but also our diversity.