Student Exchange Programme 2012 - Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) & International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) 1. AMIR SYAFIQ NOORDIN 2. NUSAIBAH HAMIZAN 3. IZZAH ZAHIN ALIMAN 4. NURFARAHIN ZULKIFLI 5. AMIR QAYYUM CHE NORDDIN 6. QURRATU AINI ZAINI 7. RAAED OMAR MOHAMMAD SAMAE 8. NOR KATRINA ANIS BINTI AHMAD GHANI 9. MUHAMMAD FARIS BIN ZAIDI

1. IZZAH ZAHIN
BINTI ALIMAN “ Incoldweatherwithwarm hearted Canadians”
A chance to spend 10 days in Canada (spent most of
the time in Toronto; – Ottawa - Quebec) as part of
IIUM - IIT Student Exchange Programme is a dream
comes true for me. I have to admit I had no idea how
much my cross-cultural trip to Canada would
broaden my perspective before I go there. O Canada!
This vast land has gorgeous landscapes, thriving
wildlife, colourful Native Canadian cultures, and
modern cosmopolitan cities - not to mention a
language selection of English and French.
(From http://www.torontomuslims.com/)
 Toronto hosts the highest percentage of
Muslims in North America .
 The Greater Toronto Area also has the
second highest number of Mosques and
Islamic centres in North America.
 This dynamic community is expanding at an
extraordinary pace, nearly doubling in the
last 10 years.
I enjoyed this experience especially spending time with my lovely host family. Staying with a
host family is an opportunity for cultural exchange. I must admit I have seldom felt more at
peace while travelling away from home. I was placed to stay in the house of ‘dad’ Kareem and
‘mom’ Safoora Hamid alongside with Qurratu ‘Aini. They have 2 daughters about our age, Atiya
and Mobeena. I felt so welcome whereby they are friendly, very polite, educated and have a
sense of joie de vivre.
My host family provides us with breakfast, packed lunch (for travelling), dinner, and some
snacks throughout our stay. My host family is there to assist in answering any questions I might
have and help me address any concerns that may arise. Homestay lets me enjoyed the comfort
of a normal home. Homestay provides an opportunity for people from different cultures to live
and learn together. My host family learns about Malaysia and its cultures and helps me adjust to

2. living in Canada. One has to adapt, embrace the diversity and enjoy experiences that are
sometimes alien and strange. The experiences I encountered will be ones that I never forget.
At the Islamic Institute of Toronto, we attend classes taught by Canadian prominent Islamic
scholars. The richness came from the very knowledgeable facilitators, an atmosphere that
encouraged us to further our learning by being open about ideas and to engage in open
discussion… also, a terrific week in gorgeous locations; definitely will be the most 'memorable'
seminar or class I have been to.
The things to do and see in Canada are as vast as the country itself. For instance, my friends
and I went to the Rideau Hall in Ottawa. We take a short stroll along trails in the park; it appears
to me like some sort of small forest that ablaze with rich colours. Canada's skyline glows like
embers when the sun rises and sets and the surrounding leaves boasted the stunning
kaleidoscopic colours. For me, the best time to view the fall foliage will undoubtedly to have my
camera ready to see the leaves change into spectacular reds, oranges and yellows.
Of course talking about Canada, a bottle of maple syrup is a wonderful souvenir to bring
back for my loved ones. Especially, syrup in the decorative maple leaf shaped bottle. I
absolutely bring home a bunch, reminiscing having Canadian breakfast every day in Malaysia!
As a natural wonder, Niagara Falls is also one of the places I have been to. One’s destination
is never a new place, but a new way of seeing things. As visitors stand on the either side, in
Canada or the United States, people can see the amazing picture of the falls. For this to be
created by man would seem to me to be impossible. According to the meaning of a Prophetic
Tradition, "Be in the world as if you are a traveller or a Wayfarer...”. All I have seen - teaches me
to trust the Creator for all that I have not seen.
I was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown by all the people I met. I will forever be
grateful for those conversations across the table, across cultural differences, and across
language barriers. Alhamdulillah... I am grateful. I would love to return to Canada, definitely
want to go back to this place and spend more days in this beautiful land.

3. > From left:Aini, me, mom & dad
> Mom’s specialty: Carrot rice and grilled salmon with thyme + parsley sauce

4. > Canadian style breakfast: Pancakes with maple syrup
> Niagara Falls: An enormously popular tourist destination and it also serves as a
major source of electricity for Ontario.

5. > The fabulous fall foliage. Lovely!~ ~

6. > Maple leaf - the most widely recognized national symbol of Canada

7. > My friends and I at the Peace Tower.
It is a focalbell and clocktower,sitting on the central axis of the Centre Block
of the Canadian Parliament Building in Ottawa,Ontario.