Gurasis: 0:00

I have included this another segment in my season two, which is called Know your Host, where I give my guests an opportunity to ask me any questions they might have.

Dhara: 0:11

Oh my gosh, I like to know how much have you traveled across Canada, outside Canada?

Gurasis: 0:23

That's a very interesting question. Actually, I'll tell you, I haven't really traveled enough up until my 22-23 years. You know, when I came to Canada, that was my first time ever coming, you know, literally like outside of my city. And after coming to Canada, I would say I have lived in various cities, like I've lived in Montreal, I've lived in Halifax as well, and after that I think I was so much, or I would say like during my initial three, four years, that I was so much consumed by the whole immigration process and just trying to make a living, you know, and just living like paycheck to paycheck and just somehow being able to pay my dues and being also able to feed myself and trying to bring in this fun, whatever I can, what was in my capacity back then. So first three, four years literally went by like that, and after that I would say it was last year when, for the first time, I was actually able to travel. You can call it like a vacation. I was actually able to travel the cities which I always wanted to visit, like I went to new york for the first time last year. It was my first time and it was magical. It was so overwhelming also, but but so beautiful also to stand in that time square, which you have seen all your life in movies, you know. And then I also went to Toronto and you'll say that Toronto is not that far. You haven't been there, everything. But literally I haven't.

Gurasis: 1:57

I came in 2018. I remember I had my cousin and his wife, whom I, whom I visited back in 2018, and I lived with them for like four years. But I kid you not, I have no recollection of those four days. I literally don't, because I feel like I was still trying to process that have I really moved abroad? Have I really come to Canada? Am I not living in my house anymore? I was still trying to process and I think it was my second week in Canada when I visited my, my cousin there. So, yeah, I would say I haven't traveled a lot, but I aim to do that a lot in the coming years.

Gurasis: 2:38

But I'll tell you one more thing that because since I've started this podcast, which was in 2022, september was my first episode and I've started this podcast, which was in 2022, september was my first episode and I've been recording like an year before that I would say, through this podcast and through these conversations, I have traveled a lot Because the people I have spoken to, they are from around the world. They have told me about various cities and various countries I never even knew about. For example, I spoke to somebody from Bulgaria. You know somebody from Czech Republic, somebody from Costa Rica, somebody who is currently in Egypt. You know somebody I'm going to speak to somebody who is currently living in Brussels I believe that's what the city is called, and I can't recall. But yeah, being able to have these conversations and learn about those cities is incredible. So, not physically, but I would say through these conversations, I have traveled a lot.

Dhara: 3:32

Yeah, amazing, amazing yeah yeah, no great question.

Gurasis: 3:37

Thank you for asking that. So now that we are in the final segment of the podcast I call it beneath the accent I'm going to ask a couple of questions. You can answer them in one word or a sentence, or however you feel like. The idea is just to know more about you. So ready, yes, so first is what advice would you give to dhara at a younger age, and at what age?

Dhara: 3:59

I would advise myself when I was 18 years old that do not be afraid of toxic people okay, describe a moment when you experienced a significant cultural difference that surprised you in canada there were many but one that when everybody used to ask me in the beginning, are you good? I used to feel of course I'm good. Why do you think?

Gurasis: 4:25

okay, that's like the very uh initial instinct that comes up. You know, hey, how are you? Are you good? You're good like, like that. I'd see that. Okay, what's that one dish dhara from your home country that always brings you comfort and nostalgia?

Dhara: 4:42

oh, khich, that's my most favorite.

Gurasis: 4:48

Are there any funny stories related to your misunderstanding around the accent or the English that you had?

Dhara: 4:52

Oh, yes, of course. So on my first day at job, hr was walking me through all the rules and regulations and after a while she take a pause for a while and she said so are we on the same page? I said, yes, of course we are on the same page, page number three. Okay, she said that, oh, you're funny. I couldn't understand what was so funny about it. We were on page number three. That is so funny. Okay, I love that. So what's your favorite cultural? I think you know they exchange cookies usually homemade cookies in my office and I love those cookies A they're free, b they're delicious, and C I feel like I'm very special that they're cooking something and then, you know, they're gifting it to me. So I love Christmas, I love exchanging gifts. I even like to give gifts as well, but I think Christmas cookies are my best favorite.

Gurasis: 6:01

Okay, amazing and share like a quick tip for fellow immigrants who are trying to adjust into a new country.

Dhara: 6:09

I would say explore and be ready to push your envelope and don't be afraid of being uncomfortable. Don't seek comfort all the time. Try to do things that you have not tried earlier. That's the only way you can actually adjust and progress.

Gurasis: 6:27

Okay, that's amazing. Tell us about the first friend that you made in Canada.

Dhara: 6:33

She's also my best friend in Canada. She's Chinese.

Gurasis: 6:52

And when I was studying I was crying in the corner of a library and she came to me and she started talking to me and ever since she became my friend. So she meet often. Mm-hmm, Love that and share a moment where being an immigrant made you feel exceptionally proud or accomplished.

Dhara: 7:06

Yeah, I think we understand so many different perceptions because we understand two different societies, east and West polar apart, and we have those understandings and insights. And I feel very fortunate to be the immigrant because now I know and understand both the part of the world, whereas the people who have never been to other part, either only been in North America or been in East, I think they're missing out on so many things just to understand the life, the vastness of it. So I feel really proud and privileged to be able to have that understanding.

Gurasis: 7:46

That's a great answer. Yeah, absolutely, I can relate to that Love, that If you had to describe yourself, dara, as any creature, what would it be and why?

Dhara: 7:56

I think my spirit animal is a duck. Okay, the way you see the duck being very calm and composed on the outside, but it's actually working hard from the inside.

Gurasis: 8:07

Underneath yeah, so I think I resemble myself with that and what's something you ate for the first time in canada I think I had muffins okay yeah if you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Dhara: 8:26

it's my childhood dream. I like to be a fairy, I like to have a magical wand, and I want to fulfill everybody's wish. Whatever anybody wants to do, I just do some magic and they get it. So that's the power I want.

Gurasis: 8:42

Okay, if you had to create this one law that everybody has to follow, what would it be?

Dhara: 8:49

You cannot lie. You have to speak the truth.

Gurasis: 8:54

And finally, how would you describe Canada in a word or a sentence?

Dhara: 8:59

It's multicultural.

Gurasis: 9:01

Okay and Nadhara, if you had to leave one advice for me, what would it be?

Dhara: 9:08

Reach out to more people. I think more people need to know who you are and what you do, and what kind of person you are, I don't know. Expand your reach, because I think people needs to know you even more. More people needs to know you. So do whatever you need to do to reach out to larger audience absolutely that's.

Gurasis: 9:30

That's the aim, for sure. And finally, dhara, how would you describe your experience of being on this podcast?

Dhara: 9:37

it's, it's very, um, it's very motivational and fulfilling experience, because I talked about certain parts of my life and the journey that I never talked to anybody before. So, I don't know, there was something you know about it that made me talk about it and again think about it. So very grateful, very happy and fulfilled.

Gurasis: 10:04

Wow, great, great words. You know I'm overwhelmed to just listen to what you just said and thank you. Thank you so much, Dara, for your kind words, for being on the podcast and adding value to me and to my listeners, so thank you so much.

Dhara: 10:18

My pleasure.