The Quiet Weight of Being Far From Home: Supporting Iranian Students During Uncertain Times
Written by: Arad Keshvadi, 5th Year Honours Specialization in Biology & Major in Medical Science
Photos by: Western Comunication
Over the past few weeks, I have found myself often thinking about what it means to live far from home during moments of uncertainty.
For many Iranian students studying abroad, distance is not only geographic. There is an emotional distance that quietly follows us through our days. Physically, we are here in Canada attending lectures, studying for exams, and trying to maintain the rhythm of ordinary student life. But emotionally, part of us remains somewhere else entirely. Our thoughts constantly travel to our parents, siblings, relatives, and friends who are living through events we can only witness from afar.
Many of us spend long stretches refreshing news pages, scrolling through updates, and checking group chats. Often, we are simply waiting for a message that says “we are okay”. Those few words can carry immense relief. Yet sometimes the message never comes. Internet disruptions and communication blackouts make it impossible to reach loved ones. Hours pass. Sometimes days. Families abroad wait in silence, unsure whether the people they care about are safe. That silence carries a weight that is difficult to explain.
Alongside that uncertainty is something deeper. Many Iranian students are watching their people struggle for basic freedoms, dignity, and the right to live without fear. To witness that from thousands of kilometers away can create a profound sense of helplessness. We want to stand beside our communities. We want to protect our families. We want to support the hopes of millions of Iranians who dream of a freer future. Yet from where we are, so much of that feels beyond our reach.
Stress like this does not remain only in the mind. It settles into the body. It can make sleep difficult. It can make the heart race. Sometimes it feels like a quiet tightness in the chest or a constant undercurrent of anxiety that is hard to explain to people who are not living through the same experience.
As I finish my final year at Western and work toward completing my honours thesis, I have felt this tension personally. There are moments when it becomes difficult to focus on experiments, papers, and deadlines while worrying about loved ones far away. But I have also found small moments of peace in connection. Being honest with friends, classmates, and colleagues about what I am feeling has reminded me that support often exists closer than we realize.
Something powerful has also emerged during this difficult time. Solidarity. Across cities around the world, Iranian communities and their allies have gathered in peaceful demonstrations and protests, raising their voices for the freedom and dignity of the Iranian people. Watching these gatherings unfold reminds us that we are not isolated in our concern or our hope. Even far from home, we lean on one another. We support one another. We remind each other that the story of Iran is shared by people across borders.
One lesson I have learned through all of this is that it is sometimes necessary to step back from the constant flow of news. Our minds were not designed to absorb an endless stream of distress through screens. Taking moments away from the headlines, focusing on school when possible, and connecting with people around us can create small spaces of calm during overwhelming times.
If you are a student who feels distracted, anxious, or emotionally drained right now, you are not alone. Many people across campus are quietly carrying similar worries. Speaking with someone you trust, leaning on your community, or seeking professional support can make a real difference. Western offers confidential counselling through Western Mental Health Services at Thames Hall, where students can speak with counsellors, social workers, psychologists, or physicians about stress, anxiety, and other challenges. Students can book an appointment by calling 519-661-3030. If immediate support is needed, there are also 24-hour services such as Good2Talk at 1-866-925-5454 for post-secondary students in Ontario or the Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline at calling or texting 988.
For those who are not Iranian, it is worth remembering that some of your classmates, friends, and colleagues may be carrying these worries quietly. A simple check-in, a conversation, or a willingness to listen can mean more than you might realize.
Even when we are far from home, we are still connected to the people and places that shaped us. Across oceans and continents, we continue to hope for a future where the Iranian people can live with the freedom, dignity, and peace they deserve.
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