From home cooking to visits with mom, here's what international students say they'll miss most on Mother's Day

Instead of cooking a special dinner, Seiya Sugahara will be celebrating Mother's Day over a video call.

The 20-year-old student from Japan has been in Manitoba for nearly three months, studying in the English language program at the University of Winnipeg.

"I really miss her, because it is the first time I am here in another country without her," said Sugahara.

He says his mother is an inspiration to him because she also went abroad for schoolwork, studying in the United States with limited English speaking skills.

"I respect her a lot and want to be like her. She motivates me by saying, 'You are great, awesome, and you can do everything.'"

He recalls how during high school, she helped him prepare and learn English to pass his university entrance test.

"My mother is a very special person to me. My mother can do everything, and she is perfect," he said.

Tachi Kawamura, 20, started studying in the University of Winnipeg's English language program in March 2024. He says this is the first time he has been away from Japan and his mother. (Submitted by Tachi Kawamura)

Even with Japan being 14 hours ahead of Winnipeg, Taichi Kawamura says his mom never misses a call.

"If she has to call me, she has to be awake till midnight," said Kawamura, also a student in the U of W's English language program. "She does that all the time, and I really appreciate that."

Kawamura says he has always looked up to his mother because despite being a full-time working mom, she manages everything very well.

"Last year when I entered the dormitory, I had to cook my meals and clean the room as well as study. That's when I realized that she is a great person."

He says her support has also given him confidence to live far away from home.

"When I came to Winnipeg for the first time, I was so nervous because I was not sure if I could speak English or make friends here. Whenever I was upset, she encouraged me by saying I can do it."

He says one of the best gifts he can give to his mother this Mother's Day is improving his English.

"I want to learn and improve my English and want to go back and show her my English skills," Kawamura says.

Mother's Day visit

Mahakpreet Kaur is looking forward to seeing her mother this weekend — she's coming from India to celebrate Mahakpreet's birthday and Mother's Day.

"I am really excited," said Kaur, 18, also a student in the U of W English program. "We are planning to go for dinner and celebrate both occasions together."

She's had a hard time living away from her mom for the last four months, she said.

"I talk to her twice a day and she always encourages me about my studies and everything when I am down or homesick."

Mahakpreet Kaur, an 18-year-old student in Winnipeg, is looking forward to seeing her mother this weekend, as she is coming from India to celebrate her birthday and Mother's Day. (Submitted by Mahakpreet Kaur )

Her mother has always been a role model who taught her important life lessons, providing her with values, care, love, support and guidance, said Kaur.

"Whenever I do something wrong, she never scolds me and usually explains things to me reasonably, which helps me understand what I did wrong and what I should do to improve myself," she said.

"She suffered a lot of hardships because of me, and that gave me confidence to face any difficult situations in life," said Kaur.

"I am really thankful for my mother. I really want to be a good daughter and want her to be proud of me."

Mother's cooking

Home-cooked meals are among the things Aditya Kahar misses most when he thinks about his mother.

"It was really delicious, and no restaurant food can also be compared to that food. The time I spent, I really miss that," said Kahar.

The 20-year-old came from India in December 2022 to pursue a bachelor of science degree at the University of Winnipeg.

While Kahar wishes his mother could be with him on Sunday to celebrate, he is looking forward to her visiting from India next summer.

Smid Panchal, who has been studying at U of W since December 2022, will get to spend this Mother's Day with his mom. She's in Winnipeg on a visit until September.

Aditya Kahar, left, and Smid Panchal, right, are studying at the University of Winnipeg, after coming to Canada in 2022. (Zubina Ahmed/CBC)

"I'm really happy about that. It was really emotional when I did go to airport to pick her up. It was [a] great moment for me," said Panchal.

"I really missed her in that … last year."

He says his mother has always been an emotional backbone for him and his sister.

"Specifically the love and the care she put in raising me and my sister.… Whenever we get hurt, she used to always help us to get out from that situation."

He also offered a Mother's Day message for his mom.

"Just take care of herself, and I will be OK."