#SherYourStory: Mazi Okafor

By: Mazi Okafor

I will never forget looking at colleges in 2016, and thinking about which one of them I was going to apply to. I was living in Nigeria at the time, and didn't know anything about Canadian colleges. But something about Sheridan College sounded nice. After checking out their varsity soccer team, I made up my mind at that very moment that I was going to apply to Sheridan because, in my head, the soccer team needed my help, and I imagined the pride that came with being called a Bruin.

 A lot of things held me back. Finally, in August 2018, I moved to Canada alone with just 3 days before the Orientation week. I was eager to start a new life. I had zero expectations and had no idea what to expect. After all, I was alone starting at a new school, in a new country, with a completely different social and cultural experience.

I remember meeting some professors during Orientation and feeling so welcomed because they were sincerely eager to meet and get to know me. 

At first, it felt strange. Where I'm from, that never happened except if you were from a high profile family.

Within my first week, I felt at home. There was this sense of belonging I felt on campus that put all my worries at ease.

I tried out for the soccer team. I have to say it was really fun. Despite being a prospect pick for the team, the players all made me feel welcomed during practice, and that was enough.

I remember after tryouts the coach advising me what to work on because he needed me in shape for the next training sessions. I honestly couldn't believe that I was on the team. I was so excited. Unfortunately, I had to drop off the team because, at that time, it was a commitment I couldn't handle. You see, while going to school, I lived in Hamilton with my aunt and her family while my campus was the Trafalgar campus in Oakville. I couldn't handle the 2-hour bus ride to campus. Plus, I was new in the country and unfamiliar with the transportation system. 

I can recall the countless number of times I hopped on the wrong bus and ended up at Yorkdale Mall, Toronto or even Mississauga instead of Hamilton.

I now believe all these were learning experiences. What I love most about Sheridan is that even though they make you feel welcome, no matter what part of the globe you’re from, they offer equal opportunities to everyone.

In my second year, I decided I had been an introvert enough. It wasn't my real self. I decided to show my skills and talent on campus, in whichever way possible. I signed up to be a part of the SheridanLife Radio team. I sent an email to the program director, Amelia Sher, who invited me for an interview, which actually ended up being more like a sit-down and chat. We connected instantly. My first impression of her was, "isn't she too young to be a program director?" (don't neglect the fact that I'm coming from Nigeria, where a lot of young people aren't given opportunities in any way or form). But she proved me wrong, and her actions she showed me why she deserved to be the program director.

I didn't expect to be part of the team because I assumed, I wasn't skilled or qualified enough. But despite what I thought, Amelia saw the potential in me and was all for it to make me part of the team. I shared my idea for a podcast, and she gave advice and gave me the necessary resources to bring my ideas to life. That was how my podcast Elders Council was born. The podcast went on to have over 200+ plays in the first hour. Amelia and the radio station’s team are consistently giving me opportunities and avenues to grow my skills and, I am so grateful for that.

 The past few years have been crazy and have also been a miracle.

 In 2018, I graduated as an EMT-Paramedic but, later that year, I moved to Canada and heard the bad news that my certificate wasn't recognized. I had no choice but to go to my fallback plan of schooling.

It was sad and depressing to have to start my life and a somehow career all over again. As a result, I kept to myself and hid in my shell. But with time, I built the courage to come out of my shell and started rebuilding things for myself. In 2020, things started looking up for me. Now, who would have thought all these would have happened by going to Sheridan?

I believe life is full of ups and downs and, being part of the Sheridan community was an upside of life. I will forever be grateful to my professors for love, patience and understanding they gave me both in and out of the classroom.

I am grateful to the SSU members for their commitment to the physical and emotional well-being of students.

I am grateful to Amelia, Tyler and the SheridanLife Radio team, for believing in me and seeing something I couldn't see at first.

Thank you to my course adviser for being the absolute best human being on earth for making time for me, no matter when it was. 

My peers for making the terrible days bearable.

 And lastly, Gabrielle Moryoussef, for allowing me to share my story.

 You are all loved. I hope you all stay mad elegant.

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In a time of incredible change, we are all experiencing this monumental shift together. With a global pandemic, the transition into online schooling and so much more, members of the Sheridan community have become chameleons to welcoming change into their daily routines.

But not every situation starts and ends so easily. There are hardships, challenges and struggles that we experience to come out successfully on the other side. In this blog series, students, Sheridan Alumni, and members of our Sheridan community will share their stories of resilience and how they were able to overcome these obstacles.

We are proud to call this series #SherYourStory.

 If you wish to be a part of it, you can submit your stories either publicly or anonymously here.

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