News

Our department is strengthened by a diverse community of professionals — some of them have crossed oceans and continents. Their experiences enrich the university’s work and culture, bringing new perspectives that make our community more vibrant, innovative, and inclusive.

In this article, three immigrant women in ITS share their stories of resilience, adaptation, belonging, and leadership. Their voices offer insight into the challenges of starting over and the strengths they carry into their roles at Dalhousie.

A Sense of Home in Canada

For many immigrant women, building a life in Canada means adjusting to a world that feels fundamentally unfamiliar. New customs, systems, and seasons can reshape even the smallest parts of daily life.

Rey Sobhaeerooy, Project Manager, comes from a country where “the year itself has a different number — 1405 where I come from, 2026 here.” Even the rhythm of life had shifted: weekends, holidays, and climate all required learning anew.

“Coming to Canada meant learning a new culture from the ground up,” Sobhaeerooy explains. It was a journey filled with many significant firsts, including her first teaching assistant role at a Canadian university, her first full-time job in Canada, and completing her first graduate degree at a Canadian university.

“Growing up, I had never seen hockey, and ice skating wasn’t common because snow and long winters were not part of our lives,” she says. Dalhousie quickly became her foundation for understanding Canadian life.

Sobhaeerooy describes the university as “a kind and welcoming parent or guardian — one that embraces rather than excludes.”

After joining ITS, Dasiele Martins, Communications Advisor, felt valued not just for her expertise but for the culture and experiences she brought with her. Colleagues often asked how issues were handled in her home country or about its traditions and food.

“It’s a small gesture, but it shows real curiosity and respect for my background,” Martins notes. “It makes me feel seen, appreciated, and included.”

For Manjula Devaraj, Director of Technology Support Services, belonging arrived through community. Joining Dalhousie’s Racialized Persons Caucus became a turning point in her journey.

“For the first time, I found my journey as both a racialized individual and a woman in Canada fully acknowledged and validated.”

Born in India, raised in Malaysia, and having lived her adult life in Atlantic Canada, Devaraj often felt suspended between cultures. Canada appealed to her for its commitment to gender, ethnic, and religious equity.

“The sense of not truly belonging — whether to the country of my birth, the place where I was raised, or the region where I spent my adult life — was echoed by many in the Caucus,” Devaraj says. “I’ve never felt my accent fit neatly anywhere.”

Working in a predominantly male field added another layer to her experience. “Despite this, my time at Dalhousie and within ITS has, for the most part, been defined by acceptance,” she explains.

“But I won’t claim it’s been perfect. Sometimes I wonder whether an interaction would have gone the same way if I weren’t a racialized immigrant woman,” adds Devaraj.  “In those moments, I remind myself: You do you, Manju! — choosing authenticity and standing tall in who I am.”

Challenges that Build Strength

Even with positive experiences in ITS, each woman carries memories of difficult moments in earlier workplaces. The lessons learned in those spaces still shape their confidence and leadership.

“I have worked in institutions where management held prejudiced views toward immigrants,” says Martins. “My skills and experiences were not always valued.”

She credits supportive coworkers and a mentor for helping her recognize her worth. “That negative experience shaped who I am today,” says Martins. “It taught me to advocate for myself and embrace my accent as part of my identity.”

Devaraj recalls a painful moment in a previous province. “I was once overlooked for a promotion in favour of someone with fewer qualifications,” she reflects. “It was a tough pill to swallow.”

“That experience motivated me to start anew in Nova Scotia and join Dal,” she adds. “Here, the environment is far more inclusive and fair.”

Gender and race also influence certain interactions. As a director, Devaraj attends conferences where vendors sometimes speak to the person beside her — unaware she is the decisionmaker.

“When they discover I am the Director, with access to the purse strings, they are often taken aback,” she says. “I simply chuckle, knowing the misunderstanding was rooted in assumptions, not my competence.”

Resilience and Belonging 

A shared theme across all three stories is resilience — the quiet strength required to rebuild a life in a new country. Immigration demands constant learning and profound adaptability.

“My international background allows me to compare different approaches and question assumptions,” says Martins. “Sharing different perspectives helps me grow and contribute to a supportive work environment.”

Sobhaeerooy echoes this sentiment. “Immigrant women carry a quiet resilience — even if we don’t always express it outwardly,” she says. “It influences how I approach challenges, collaboration, and problem solving.”

Devaraj highlights how her multicultural experiences shape her leadership. They help her “select aspects of my background that support my role at Dal, while letting go of what no longer serves me.”

She leads with openness, care, and transparency. “I encourage my team to deliver excellent service,” she explains. “Equally important is creating a workplace where people feel valued and heard.”

“Fairness, kindness, and respect have been consistent in my experience at Dalhousie,” says Sobhaeerooy. These values shaped her sense of safety and welcome within ITS.

For Devaraj, Dal’s EDIA initiatives further strengthened her sense of belonging. “When I look around the ITS leadership table,” she says, “I see three women among six Directors and a CIO, but I remain the only person of colour.”

“I would love to see more representation, but I’m encouraged by our progress,” she claims. “Being invited to share my experiences is itself evidence of change and allows for honest conversations that help every voice feel valued.”

ITS is also home to a vibrant international community. “It’s comforting to hear different accents and learn about other countries through everyday conversations,” says Martins.

She is proud to contribute to the ITS EDIA Committee. “It gives me the chance to help build initiatives that strengthen community and intercultural connection,” celebrates Martins.

Why These Stories Matter

The journeys of these three women illuminate the profound contributions immigrant women bring to ITS. Their resilience, leadership, empathy, and cultural insight enrich their teams and strengthen the institution.

Their stories remind us that inclusion is shaped through everyday interactions, supportive communities, and workplaces willing to listen. In celebrating their experiences, we also celebrate the diverse voices that help our department thrive.