Rakshitha Dheenadhayalan | Contributor
Featured image: If you’ve ever been scammed, you’re not alone. | Courtesy of Pexels
Society has become so accustomed to the word “scam,” and many have fallen—and continue to fall—for various scams. I, myself, was one of many who have become victims.
As an international student who had very little knowledge of the Canadian government’s rules and regulations, I was naïve and unaware of the fact that any government-related issue is stated via mail prior to a phone call.
Tuition fees and other related expenses are not cheap for international students. Our parents and/or guardians undergo various measures in order to help fund us, just so that we can be provided with excellent education.
Yes, I am well aware of where I was at fault in this matter, and I certainly paid a heavy price for it. However, for those who believe I was stupid for falling into the trap, I kindly request you keep your criticisms to yourself, as the situation is quite sensitive.
The main reason why I fell prey so easily was primarily because I was not surrounded by a good company of friends prior to this incident. In fact, they were a rather toxic and unhealthy influence. All the data that the scammers had about me was precise and well-prepared, and since I had left the group on bad terms, I assumed that they provided my information out of spite.
After this incident, I had to take a break from everything I was doing. It took place in late November, and my final exams were right around the corner. My performance in school was not the best, as I was still troubled by the incident. I was awfully traumatized and did not even want to leave my house.
However, I was also fortunate, as I had amazing friends and wonderful professors who understood my situation and helped me get through it. My parents—who knew and understood my situation—encouraged me to come home for the holidays.
Upon my return to Canada and going into the new semester I dealt with a lot of homesickness, and I became extremely cautious of the people I spoke to. I am beyond grateful to have a handful of friends who are like my family here, and who also drove me to become a stronger person. This was, indeed, one of the most weighty lessons I have ever learned.
Nonetheless, a lot has changed since the incident. I became more open to accepting the fact that I was indeed going through a phase of anxiety and depression. It was only when my friend mentioned Counselling Disability Services at the Bennett Centre did I even get to know such a service existed on campus.
It is a service provided to all York members and it comes at no cost, but is not very much utilized. It is my humble request for everyone who suffers from anxiety, depression, or any other mental issues, to make use of these services. Don’t be afraid to talk about your problems.
Help is always provided to those who ask for it. These are professionals who have dedicated their careers to helping those who deal with such difficulties. It is vital to be bold, strong, and to take ownership of your mistakes, while ensuring you do not repeat them. Stay away from toxic people, and make the right choices that will best suit you as an individual.
I want to take this opportunity to thank York International and Excalibur for giving me a platform to speak about my experience, and I hope everyone reading this knows that they are not alone in this battle.
As Zig Ziglar once said: “Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.”
