My philosophy of CYC

In Punjab most of the families are joint (my family, grandparents, and uncle and aunt) and I also

grew up in many hands as I spent half of my childhood with my family and the other half was

with my uncle and aunt. There are 22 members in the home with me and I was remarkably close

to my grandparents as they taught me most of the manners and life lessons I use today. They

always told me about their life experiences, mistakes, and their happy moments. My grandmother

used to tell me, “Life is like a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, twists and turns but it's our

responsibility to take things in a good direction.” My grandfather taught me one of the good

things from their life experiences which I will never forget, "Everything happens for a reason and

it's always good for you, so never complain to god for bad days.”

Since my childhood, I have seen various kinds of behaviors and learned to adjust to every type of

person. I understand that everyone comes from diverse backgrounds and their environment

makes them who they are. In my society, some families are poor which means they have less

money to spend on good nutrition or other expenses. Some have a hectic schedule, so they have

less time to spend teaching their children about manners. As I have been watching them since my

childhood, I decided to help and support them and make a healthy society which everyone

deserves.

After completion of high school, I decided to make my career in child and youth care. My mother

influenced me to choose this course because she's seen me happy around children and told me I

love to take care of them. As I am the older among my siblings, I love to take care of them, help
them with their studies and play games with them. All my family members appreciated my

decision when I came to Canada in the loyalist college, Belleville, Ontario.

In the classroom, I learn about theories and practical techniques, but it is in the field that I see the

true power of empathy and genuine connection. This is a great responsibility to understand

children and youth because then I can give them the best service. It serves as a daily reminder to

be humble and open-minded, to recognize my own prejudices and limits, and to strive for cultural

humility and competence.

I think the most life-changing thing about my experience as a CYC student has been the chance

to reflect on myself. I find time for contemplation amidst hectic schedules and rigorous

obligations, reflecting on my reasons, values, and beliefs. It is an adventure of self-discovery,

accepting my talents and facing my weaknesses because I know that the only way I can connect

with people authentically is by being myself.

I am both looking forward to and nervous about the journey ahead. A career in child and youth

care involves many unknowns and challenges, but it also presents many potentials for

development. Every step I take serves as a reminder of the significant influence we may have on

the lives of teens and the honour it is to be a part of their path to empowerment and perseverance.

In the end, being a CYC student is about living up to values of social justice, empathy, and

compassion rather than just learning new material and developing new abilities. It is about
appreciating the complexity of human experience and appreciating the beauty that arises from

connecting and changing. I am appreciative of the knowledge gained, the connections made, and

the countless opportunities that lay ahead as I continue on my journey.