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Between Two Worlds: The Silent Struggles of an Indian Immigrant Mother Studying Abroad

When she took her flight to Canada, she wasn't simply taking textbooks and aspirations along; she was taking the burden of distance. Her five-year-old son hugged her in the airport terminal, not realizing how long "a few months" was. She had taken the tough choice of getting a master's abroad, believing in creating a better life for both. But then came a period of isolation, not simply one of intellectual hardship, but also of deep social and cultural loneliness.



 

The Emotional Cost of Separation

Leaving a child behind is not an option; it's a sacrifice. For her, each video call was a reminder of the moments she was missing out on: the lost tooth, the school play, the bedtime stories. While her classmates fretted over deadlines, she fretted about whether her son was eating and being abandoned.

This emotional cost is prevalent with Indian women migrating independently for education.


The India Migration Report 2024 has emphasized the gendered nature of migration, pointing towards how Indian immigrant women tend to have issues reconciling domestic responsibilities with educational and vocational ambitions (Ratha et al., 2025).

 

 Cultural Dislocation and Identity Struggles

In her new country, she found herself in classrooms where she was one of the few women of color, and often the only mother. Her accent drew curious glances. Her food smelled “different.” Her silence in social settings was mistaken for disinterest when she was simply navigating unfamiliar norms. One study in the International Journal of Indian Psychology determined that foreign students from India undergo great acculturative stress, influencing their mental health and bicultural self-confidence (Kristiana et al., 2022). In women, this is further exacerbated by cultural norms and the demand to preserve traditional roles despite adjusting to new settings.

 

The Loneliness of Being "Other"

 

Her classmates came together over weekend outings and nights at the pub, things she couldn't, financially or emotionally, do. She spent her nights doing part-time work and video-calling home. The isolation wasn't so much about missing her son; it was about missing a sense of belonging.

The India Migration Report also notes that immigrant women often face limited access to host country support systems, which complicates their integration into host societies (Ratha et al., 2025). Patriarchal norms in both host and home countries can overlap, instituting new controls and obligations for women.

 

Resilience in the Face of Silence

 

Despite the obstacles, she kept going. She found a refuge in a Women's South Asian group in the area, where her type of story was greeted with understanding, not puzzlement. She started a journal, volunteered, and gradually regained her voice as not only a student, but a mother, a woman, and a migrant. Her story is not unique; it reflects a growing trend among Indian women who are breaking cultural norms to pursue education abroad (Kristiana et al., 2022).


These women are more than just students; they are trailblazers, gracefully navigating two different worlds with courage and determination.


The pressure of donning so many hats at one go can be overwhelming, which is indeed human, and counts for friendly support to push through the darkness and shine bright as ever.


NJCCS Is Here for You

At NJCCS, I offer online counselling to immigrant mothers across Canada (with in-person sessions available in Toronto). Together, we’ll create space for you to process your experiences of migration and settling in Canada without judgment and begin to untangle the impact it has had on your mental health.


"It's okay to set down the heavy weight you've been carrying. You are worthy of the soft, gentle peace that comes with healing."


With warmth,



Nada Johnson, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist / trained Family Mediator / EMDR Trained Therapist / Certified Racial Trauma Clinician / Mental Health & Sexual Violence Consultant / Professional Speaker


Nada Johnson Consulting & Counselling Services – Online phone and video sessions available

Village Healing Centre: 240 Roncesvalles Avenue



Follow our platforms for empowering content, mental health support, and resources on healing from racial trauma. Please share this post to support others navigating the hidden wounds of colourism—they deserve care and healing too. 🤝


References

Ratha, D., KNOMAD (Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development), Triandafyllidou, A., Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration, Toronto Metropolitan University, Oda, H., Rajan, S. I., & International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), India. (2025). India Migration Report 2024: Indians in Canada. In India Migration Report (First). Routledge. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/93068/9781040121832.pdf?sequence=1#page=32

Kristiana, I. F., Karyanta, N. A., Simanjuntak, E., Prihatsanti, U., Ingarianti, T. M., & Shohib, M. (2022, May 27). Social support and acculturative stress of international students. International journal of environmental research and public health.


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In addition to counselling, NJCCS offers coaching through our sister brand, Potential Unlocked™, designed specifically for professional women navigating career, leadership, and life transitions.


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