People of Georgian: International student finds ‘different kind of adventure’ at college

What’s your story?

The Georgian community is full of unique, inspiring perspectives —and we’re sharing them as part of an ongoing series.

People of Georgian: Meet Gunika Kinger

I was a district level swimmer back home in India, but I only started swimming when I was 10 years old.

My mom didn’t want me to swim because she was scared about me being in the deep pool, so I was also scared.

Then one day I decided I was going to get over my fear. When I stepped in the water for the first time, it felt like I was going to a pool party. I saw people swimming and floating around me, so I went for it.

Gunika is doing a co-op as the Social Media Assistant at Georgian College.

My first lesson I held onto the side of the pool and put my face in the water and tried to tread water. Eventually, I learned how to do the backstroke, butterfly front stroke and others, and I started to enjoy swimming.

I joined a swimming group and took part in competitions, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to all of that. So now, I don’t swim competitively anymore, just for fun.

Hobbies ‘make me feel calm’

I have a lot of hobbies I really enjoy. Along with swimming, I love baking cakes, brownies and cookies, and I enjoy sketching.

Sketching is like self-expression. Sometimes when I’m not sleepy at night, I’ll pick up my notebook and start sketching and I totally forget about the time. It makes me feel calm.

A person wearing a colourful outfit and holding a bouquet of red roses smiles while standing outside near green and yellow trees. — *Gunika is the first person in her family to move away internationally.*

Gunika’s first-ever flight brings her to new opportunities

I love trying new things. For example, I love travelling and coming to Canada to attend Georgian was my first flight ever.

Before I moved here, a lot of people kind of demotivated me, saying I was too young and wouldn’t be able to survive on my own, stuff like that.

I’m the first one in my family to move away internationally. Typically, in India, people don’t work until they do their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Until then, their parents pay all their expenses.

‘Will it make you happy or open doors for you? Just go for it’

Being here in Canada feels like a whole different kind of adventure. I’m learning so much, I’ve met so many great people, and I found jobs that provided valuable experiences.

A person smiles while standing outside in front of a brick wall. — *Gunika says people should go for their dreams, even if it’s scary.*

Everyone’s nervous about doing something for the first time. Like, I was nervous about coming to Canada, trying swimming, baking my first cake, and drawing my first sketch.

But you have to remember you’re not in competition; no one is judging you. Will it make you happy or open doors for you? Just go for it.

Gunika Kinger (she/her), an international student in Georgian’s Business (Co-op) program. Gunika is currently doing a co-op as the Social Media Assistant in the college’s Marketing, Communications and Recruitment department. Read how her experiences as a co-op student at Georgian shaped her confidence and career path.

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