Former refugees have advice for Syrian newcomers: 'There will be a bright future'

As the first full planeload of Syrian refugees is set to land in Canada, others who came before want them to know that while the first months will be difficult, in the end, "there will be a bright future."

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A Canadian Forces Airbus with 163 refugees is scheduled to land at Pearson International Airport late Thursday night. Some are government-sponsored, while others are sponsored privately by Canadian families.

They are all part of the federal government's plan to bring 25,000 refugees to Canada from Syria by February.

Hamza Nooristani came to Canada from Afghanistan nearly six years ago. He had worked as a computer engineer for the United Nations but had to leave home following the 2009 elections.

Advice from refugee

9 years ago

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Hamza Nooristani says Syrian refugees have "a bright future" in Canada.

"I had only one option to save my life, so I came to Canada," Nooristani told CBC News on Thursday.

Nooristani arrived in January 2010 without his wife and four children. They finally joined him, along with a fifth child, two months ago.

After leaving his family and a good job back home, the first few months in Canada were difficult.

But eventually he decided to take classes, upgrade his education and "started to work toward my goals."

"I'm giving the message to newcomers that Canada is, as we can see now, the land of opportunities. And this is the right place for them to be. They will be happy. There will be a bright future," Nooristani said.

While the newcomers may struggle at first, "it will not be a long problem," he said.

"Everything will be okay here," he said. "Everything will be safe in a nice environment and you will enjoy the rest of your life."

'Try to integrate'

Abdulwahab Mahmad came to Canada three years ago from Iraq, where he worked in a bank as a financial security officer.

Advice from refugee

9 years ago

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Abdulwahab Mahmad says refugees should adapt to "the way of life" in Canada to make their transition easier.

He came as a government-sponsored refugee and first settled in Kitchener, Ont.

He continues to take language classes, and meets with other Iraqi refugees to continue to build his social network.

His main advice for the new refugees is to "follow the law and take advantage of the opportunities" that are provided.

"It's really important for the refugees to try and settle and really adapt to the way of life in this country," Mahmad said through an interpreter.

"Try to integrate to the Canadian culture and that will make the transition easier."

'Don't think about back home'

Anis Zeerak has been in Canada for seven years. She arrived in Canada with her two children from Afghanistan after her husband was killed.

Advice from refugee

9 years ago

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Anis Zeerak tells Syrian refugees that, "In Canada, everything is good."

As a single mother without any friends or family in this country, she became depressed and went to a hospital for help. She was treated by a doctor who advised her that once she started to feel better, she had to get out and make new friends.

She realizes that when she arrived in Canada, she was still thinking about home, including the violence she had left behind.

"But when I arrived in Canada I felt happy and I think they will also be happy," Zeerak said through an interpreter.

"They are lucky to get to Canada."

She says refugee parents should get involved at their children's school and activities to meet people and get engaged in their new community.

"Don't think about back home," she said.

"All immigrants have to be together, have to build the new Canada with all of their hard work."