Syrian Refugee Engineers New Beginning in Montreal: Overcoming Challenges and Building a Future

When Jad Albasha stepped onto Quebec soil in 2016, he was greeted by a landscape blanketed in snow and an unfamiliar language—French. At the age of 21, escaping the conflict in his native Syria, he couldn't have predicted how deeply he would come to call this place home. Today, as French flows easily from his lips, Albasha is preparing to celebrate a significant milestone: earning his master’s degree in civil engineering from Polytechnique Montréal.

Albasha's journey has not been without formidable obstacles. He once stood on the brink of completing his undergraduate studies in civil engineering in Syria, with just six months left before graduation. But war changed everything. After a bombing at Aleppo University claimed dozens of lives in 2013, his family made the difficult decision to flee. Their route led them through Lebanon and ultimately to Canada, thanks to expedited refugee policies enacted at the time.

Upon arrival in Quebec, Albasha confronted a steep learning curve—not only adjusting to a new climate but also grappling with a new language. “Merci, Bonjour, Bonsoir,” he recalls, were the extent of his French vocabulary when he began working at a grocery store, relegated to bagging groceries because he couldn’t converse with customers. Determined to change his circumstances, he threw himself into a francization course, striving to minimize errors and gain fluency.

The next phase of his journey involved pursuing the education that had been interrupted. However, the process was complicated by missing transcripts and disrupted academic records—obstacles that led to multiple university rejections, save for one vital exception: Polytechnique Montréal. The institution opened its doors, providing him the opportunity to resume his studies and, eventually, to thrive.

After years of dedication, Albasha now possesses near-native fluency in French, holding responsibilities as a teaching assistant and contributing to critical infrastructure projects. Currently, he is employed at AtkinsRéalis Group Inc., specializing in hydroelectric dams—a sector identified by provincial leaders as essential for Quebec’s economic future. For Albasha, Montreal doesn’t merely represent a place of refuge; it is where he and his family have built their new foundation. Returning to war-torn Aleppo is not an option, as friends and familiar faces have either dispersed across the globe or perished.

His story is emblematic of the promise that international students and newcomers bring to Quebec. As the province faces demographic challenges and a shortage of skilled engineers, leaders in academia, such as Polytechnique Montreal’s president Maud Cohen, emphasize the importance of recruiting talented individuals from abroad. “The engineers really are building Quebec, they’re responsible for innovation, creativity, everything that’s happening in tech, in high-tech,” Cohen notes, highlighting the dual benefit for both the individuals and the host society.

Despite the demand, recent policy changes have imposed caps on international student applications, potentially limiting opportunities for others like Albasha. With ongoing conversations about immigration and higher education in both Canada and the United States, the call from educational leaders is clear: “Help us help you.” Facilitating the integration and training of skilled newcomers is viewed as a critical pathway to sustaining the region’s future growth.

Today, Albasha serves as a mentor to others navigating the challenges of settlement and academic transition. He recognizes the value of guidance, admitting he did not have a role model who had navigated a similar path upon his own arrival. Now, he hopes to fill that gap for newcomers. During a recent visit to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a simple quote deeply resonated with him: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” For Albasha, it encapsulates the essence of his journey—one marked by resilience, hope, and the unwavering belief that perseverance can transform even the most uncertain beginnings into new beginnings full of possibility.