Tony Komen, a Kenyan student based in Canada, has opened up about the steep learning curve that greeted him when he first arrived in the country, describing an early period defined by confusion, unfamiliarity and the quiet pressure of starting over in a foreign place.
In a Facebook post shared on September 10, 2026, Komen recalled how his initial months were consumed by the basics: learning which routes to take, figuring out how the education system worked, finding places to shop, and trying to build a social circle from scratch.
Even catching a bus or completing a simple errand carried a layer of uncertainty that wore on him.
What challenges did Komen face as a student in Canada?
For Komen, the challenge was not one big obstacle but rather an accumulation of small, unfamiliar things that added up quickly.
Job hunting, settling into his academic environment, and making sense of public transport all competed for his attention simultaneously, leaving little room to simply breathe and settle.
He noted that the experience gradually became more manageable over time.
Komen asks Kenyan students in Canada to be patient
As he began to understand his surroundings, established routines and formed friendships, the constant mental effort of figuring everything out started to ease.
What had once felt like survival slowly began to feel like ordinary life.
Reflecting on that transition, Komen encouraged other Kenyan students who have recently relocated to Canada to be patient with themselves.
@tonykomen_ Coming to Canada as a student, I’d say my first few months were really about figuring life out. 🇰🇪🇨🇦 Learning places. Making friends. Trying to find a job. Getting used to classes and how school works here. Figuring out which bus to take, where to shop, where things are and just how everyday life works. At the beginning, even simple things can feel like a lot because almost everything is new. But one thing I’ve personally noticed is that with time, you learn. You start knowing your routes without checking your phone 😂 You know where to shop. You understand school better. You meet people. You become more comfortable doing things that initially felt unfamiliar. And slowly, you realize you’re not trying to figure out everything anymore. You’re actually living your life. So if you recently came to Canada as a student and you’re still figuring things out, give yourself time. For me, it got better as I learned and adjusted. Of course, this is just my personal experience. Everyone’s journey in Canada is different, and I’m not saying everything automatically becomes easier with time. We all come with different circumstances, opportunities and challenges. I’m simply sharing what the adjustment process has looked like for me. For those already abroad, how were your first few months? 👀 #kenyantiktok🇰🇪 #kenyanincanada🇰🇪🇨🇦 #kenyansabroad #kalenjintiktokers #kikuyutiktok ♬ original sound – Tony Komen 🇰🇪🇨🇦
Tony Komen’s message to Kenyan students in Canada
He acknowledged that the adjustment process is not the same for everyone and that comparing one’s experience to another person’s can be misleading.
His core message was straightforward: give yourself time.
The disorientation of the early days does not last, and the feeling of being overwhelmed eventually gives way to a sense of belonging and routine.
