Khadija, 22

What is your favourite word? Mother - The word makes me feel good. When I think about my mom, it makes me feel warm.

Where is your mom? She is home in Turkmenistan.

When was the last time you saw her? End of August last year. 

Do you think your dad will be jealous that “Father” is not your favorite word? Yes, he’ll be pissed off. I’m actually close to him too, but I’m closer to my mom. 

What is your least favorite word? War - Seeing everything in the media right now makes me feel grateful for being here (Canada). I don’t usually post anything political or about war because I’ve never experienced that or have been there to talk about it.

What turns you on? Kindness and generous people, treating people equally.

Who is the kindest person you know? My dad. In our religion, if you have enough money, you are supposed to share it with others. My dad is a businessman, and he shares his money by helping people get an education.

What turns you off? Swearing.

What swear word do you particularly hate? I don’t wanna say them but the “F” and “A” words. My dad told me when I was 5 years-old, that when a girl starts swearing, she becomes ugly and no one will marry her.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Family. Being close to your family. Knowing that they are healthy and that they are proud of me.

Do you miss them? Yes, I’ve been here in Calgary for 4 years now, year by year is harder. I think that the more you get older, you tend to value more your family.

What is your current state of mind? Focus on my education and to bring my family to this country and take care of them. I don’t know if they want to go here, but I would like them to be here with me.

How is life back home? Life is good. We see our family every day. My uncle is here in Calgary, but I only see him maybe 3 times a year.

Which living person do you most admire? My dad. He is my role model. He teaches me how to survive my everyday life, not to give up, and how to live an easy life.

Is it your decision to move here in Calgary? It’s my dad’s decision to go here. I came here before to try English classes, and I did not like it. I don’t like the people and the culture. I came back home, but my Dad is worried for my future. He wants me to be able to support myself and my future kids. He pushed me to go here to Canada. It was sad at first, but now I’m really grateful that I can live on my own. 

What do you consider as your greatest achievement? Moving out.

How is it living on your own in this city? It’s tough. When I go home, no one is waiting for me, and I get depressed.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I don’t think I want to change anything. I’m happy with who I am.

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? That he is happy how I lived my life and for being a good human.

If you can go back to a point in time in your life, what would it be? My high school years. I could have enjoyed it more.

When you said awhile ago that you did not like the culture here, what do you mean? There seems to be no culture because people work a lot of everyday and it is the same everyday. On weekends, people tend to drink or do their own thing.