When Simon left his parents to study in Canada, he had no idea what lay ahead—“There was no back-up plan.” Three years later, the homesick teen navigating culture shock has grown into a confident performer prepared to study Biotechnology at Seneca Polytechnic while pursuing his passion for acting and theatre.
From finding his own stage presence to making Spanish class connections with his host family, Simon’s story is one of finding belonging in unexpected places and making the most of opportunities as they come.
Why did you initially consider studying abroad? I was going to school in Moscow. It was a normal Russian public school, but the environment wasn’t right for me. We looked for schools in Canada, and I was really excited to join Hudson because it seemed like an open place for all kinds of students. And when I came here, it was like, wow. Teachers were so passionate about their subjects, and the students were so nice. Right away, I felt happy to be studying here.
How was it for you as a brand-new Grade 10 student? Like all international students, I had to go through culture shock where everything is different—new food, new friends, new language—and just try to adapt. I had to speak and study in a foreign language. It was kind of hard because I’d learned English in Russia, but never studied in English. At the airport, my parents started crying because it was the first time I’d travelled without them. I was so happy and nervous at the same time. Then I started crying, and my father said, “Just don’t worry, be cool. You’re just going to be fine.”
I’d never even been to Canada. It was kind of like, “Okay, I have a backpack, I have a ticket. Just keep moving forward.” There was no backup plan.
Was there anyone who made the adjustment easier? A lot of students say that Mr. Yovanny’s tests are the hardest, but he’s my favourite teacher at Hudson. He taught me Spanish in Grade 11 and Grade 12. I live with an Ecuadorian host family, and it really helped me to connect with them. Mr. Yovanny is also from Ecuador, and we talk a lot outside of class about culture, his family, and my family in general. That made me feel really close to him—he’s the best.
How would you describe the relationship between international and local students at Hudson? I love the fact that here, everybody treats me the same way as any other student. I don’t feel any difference or negativity. People care about your personality, not the country you’re from or its politics. I have a lot of friends in Grade 12; we just talk normally, and that’s what I like the most. The difference just doesn’t exist.
What’s been a proud moment for you at Hudson? Oh man, I have so many. First, our drama performance this year—we all put so much effort into it. We had three weeks, and in three weeks we built the whole thing. I didn’t even believe it was possible, but we did it. That was a proud moment for me because we worked as a team. I also helped Mr. Yovanny with culture days and participated with my own performances: dances, acting, and even playing instruments like spoons.
What do you see as the advantages of studying in a city like Toronto? What I love about Toronto is that it’s a big place, and there are enough opportunities for everybody. If you want to be an engineer, you can go to university and become an engineer. If you want to be an actor, that’s possible too.
Last year, Mr. Bavington mentioned that students who are interested in specific areas can earn a Co-op credit. We sat together and worked it out, and now I’m working as an assistant stage manager at Bygone Theatre and learning about backstage work, lighting, all that stuff—and during the shows next week, I’ll help backstage. Toronto is a place where it doesn’t matter which country you’re from. It’s just about your personality. If you’re hardworking and you’re passionate about something, you can achieve your goal. That’s what I love.
What are you studying next year? I’m taking Biotechnology at Seneca Polytechnic. Some colleges here connect to universities, so there’s a path where I can transfer to York University in one or two years. The affordability is so much better, especially for an international student. I really want to try to combine acting and theatre with having a strong professional backup.
Ms Streff helped me a lot in the beginning. She introduced me to how the Canadian system works: which programs are best, which pathways are available. Then my parents and I started the process independently and built from there, because we have some restrictions around cost and location.
If you had to describe your high school experience in one word, what would it be? Exciting. Amazing. Fantabulous? I don’t know how to explain it in one word. I’ve done a lot, thanks to everybody here—the teachers, Rosa, Mr. Bavington, and my friends.
If I look at myself before Hudson and right now, there’s a huge difference. I’m more mature and have actual experience that I can use in my life, no matter what I choose to do in the future. Everything from how to make a great presentation to how to perform on stage. It’s one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life.
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