Discovering Sanctuary: A Taliban Escapee Finds Refuge in Teaching English

Shams Erfan, a 21-year-old Afghan who fled the Taliban as a teenager, found himself stuck in a refugee camp in Indonesia. After four years, he shares his story and his journey to secure a new life. Sitting inside the International Ferry Terminal in Batam, Indonesia, Shams watched the bustling activity around him. He dreamt of the freedom he longed for while stuck in the camp's cramped rooms. One day, while returning to the shelter, he received an email from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), informing him of his flight to Jakarta to complete the necessary processes to move to Canada. Overwhelmed with joy, Shams prepared for his new life, reflecting on the difficulties he had faced in his journey. Finally, on March 3, 2022, Shams boarded a flight to Canada, where he arrived in Toronto and was welcomed by his sponsors, who had supported him throughout the process. He felt a sense of freedom and hope as he started his new life, leaving behind the label of being a refugee and embracing the opportunities that awaited him in Canada. Shams is now a permanent resident in Canada, studying at the University of Toronto and aspiring to become a human rights and immigration lawyer.