Learning Activity 3.5, Task 2: What has influenced me?

Natali Katati

A Personal Reflection

Toronto is widely recognized as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, a lively blend where many cultures come together and flourish. Living here has given me the amazing chance to experience traditions, ideas, and art from all over the world. From enjoying a variety of delicious foods to discovering unique buildings and diving into global fashion and entertainment; These experiences have influenced my views and enhanced my everyday life. In this essay, I will discuss the cultural influences that have significantly impacted me through four main areas: food, fashion, architecture, leisure activities, and entertainment. These aspects showcase the rich diversity that characterizes life in Toronto and my personal journey within it.

Cultural Influences: A Personal Reflection

CNE (Toronto's largest annual fair)

Cultural influences are all around us, often in ways we might not even notice. Living in Toronto has given me a deep appreciation for how the city's multicultural vibe has enhanced my daily life in many areas like food, fashion, architecture, leisure activities, and entertainment. Unlike Syria, where I am from, where cultural traditions are strongly tied to a common heritage and mostly similar practices, Toronto presents a lively mix of global influences that blend together beautifully. This diversity has not only changed the city’s landscape into a rich tapestry of cultures but has also greatly influenced my own views, inspiring me to welcome new ideas and ways of living while still staying connected to my Syrian culture.

Indian Cuisine 

Cuisines

The food scene in Toronto really shows how different cultures have changed the city’s dining options. It used to be mostly about Canadian and British dishes, but now it’s a lively mix of flavors from all over the world. Toronto has so much more variety than my back home. I have started to enjoy things like Chicken curry, which is an Indian cuisine, or I’ll go to a Korean BBQ place where grilling meat at the table is a fun way to eat with friends. This is quite different from traditional Syrian dining, where meals are usually served family style with favorites like shawarma, kebab, and warak enab. Living in Toronto has helped me see how food from different cultures has influenced the local dining experience, making it more diverse and global. These culinary traditions are not just about what we eat, they also reflect the rich communities that make this city unique.

Fashion

Fashion in Toronto showcases the city’s rich multicultural identity, where global styles merge effortlessly with local trends. In contrast to the more traditional and modest clothing typically found in Syria, which is shaped by cultural and religious influences, Toronto’s fashion scene celebrates diversity and personal expression. On any given day, I can spot people in everything from trendy streetwear to 2000s fashion type, as well as traditional South Asian clothes or Indian clothes. The city’s varied population has sparked a trend in fusion fashion, blending elements from different cultures to create distinctive outfits. 

Toronto's Caribbean Festival

This vibrant mix of styles in Toronto stands in stark contrast to the conservative fashion I was accustomed to in Syria, where clothing tends to be more formal and modest. Living in Toronto has opened my eyes to the beauty of global fashion, inspiring me to explore my own style while still respecting my Syrian roots.

Toronto's Old City Hall

Architecture

Next to Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto's Old City Hall is famous for its stunning clock tower that reaches a height of 103.6 meters. Finished in 1899, it held the title of the tallest building in Canada for 18 years. The clock, made by Gillett & Johnston in Croydon, England, has a face that measures 6 meters across and has been a key landmark in the city for over a century.

Leisure activities and entertainment

Centre Island

The Toronto Islands are a peaceful getaway from the busy city life, consisting of 15 small connected islands and 3 main ones, which are right off the downtown waterfront. You can easily reach them with a quick ferry ride. Once there, you can enjoy sandy beaches, quiet picnic spots, and beautiful biking and walking trails. Centre Island has fun attractions for families, like the Centreville Amusement Park, while Ward’s Island offers a calm natural setting. Plus, the islands give you amazing views of Toronto's skyline, which is why both locals and tourists love to visit.

The mix of cultures in Toronto hasn't diminished individual identities; rather, it has enhanced the city's character and expanded my view of the world. Although it's quite different from my culture in Syria, where traditions are strongly tied to a common heritage, living in Toronto has taught me that culture is dynamic and thrives through interaction and exchange. My experiences here have shown me how various traditions can live together peacefully, creating new forms while still honoring their unique roots. Every international meal I taste, every fashion trend I notice, and every cultural event I participate in increases my appreciation for the connections within our global community. These experiences have influenced my way of life and outlook, reminding me that diversity isn't just a part of Toronto—it's its greatest asset, promoting creativity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for everyone.