At FlightHub, we believe travel is more than a journey from one place to another; it’s an opportunity to transform, connect, and grow. Through our ‘Where Travel Finds You’ campaign, we had the opportunity to listen to the stories of four individuals who embody resilience, courage, and adaptation as they navigate life’s challenges. These are the voices behind the journeys.

Meet Armella: Strength Forged in Resilience

Armella’s life has been shaped by extraordinary circumstances. Born in Burundi to Rwandan parents, she arrived in Canada as a child. Her family’s history—marked by survival and adaptation—influenced her deeply. Her mother’s role as a foster caregiver in Montreal brought diverse lives into their home, creating a dynamic and supportive environment. “My mom has been a foster home for, I wanna say, 29 years now,” Armella shares.

Through these experiences, Armella learned the value of tolerance and resilience. Her journey reflects the strength it takes to navigate cultural complexities while building connections and embracing her multifaceted identity.

In addition to her personal journey, Armella is also a devoted mother. Balancing her own challenges with raising her children, she has strived to instill in them the same resilience and openness to the world that have defined her own life. Her experience as both a daughter of immigrants and a parent highlights the generational layers of strength and growth within her family.

Meet Mouad: A Journey of Independence

For Mouad, leaving Morocco to study in Canada was a leap into the unknown. Encouraged by his father to seek better opportunities, he faced cultural shock, isolation, and financial hardship. “What scared me the most is, like, going away from your family, your friends,” he recalls. “Leave all that behind and live a new life. There’s no one to rely on. Like, it’s just you.”

Despite these obstacles, Mouad’s journey has been one of self-discovery and growth. At one point, financial struggles forced him to drop out of school, leaving him uncertain about his future. However, with determination and the support of people he met along the way, he regained stability, and rebuilt his path forward. His story highlights the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Now, Mouad sees his journey as a series of valuable lessons about perseverance, adaptation, and finding belonging in unexpected places. His story illustrates the transformative power of embracing change and pushing through life’s hardest moments.

Meet Rey and Malou: Building a Life Together

Rey and Malou’s paths crossed in Canada, where they met and built a life as a couple. Both emigrated from the Philippines to built a better life in Canada. Together, they forged a strong partnership rooted in hard work and mutual support. Building a family in Canada became their shared mission.

They navigated the challenges of raising children in a new country while balancing their careers and cultural heritage. Rey and Malou prioritized creating a nurturing environment for their children, blending Filipino traditions with Canadian values. “For us, family is everything,” Malou reflects. “We wanted our children to grow up appreciating where we came from and embracing where we are now.”

Rey reflects on his early years, filled with long hours and relentless work: “I made a mistake of not taking care of myself before. I just work, work, work.” Over time, he recognized the importance of balance, a lesson Malou also emphasizes. “As much as I wanna take care of others, I have to take care of myself too,” she says.
Their story is one of love, dedication, and the pursuit of a better future for their family, showcasing the sacrifices and rewards of starting anew in a foreign land.

A Tapestry of Experiences

Each of these stories offers a glimpse into the diverse realities of life, travel, and immigration. Armella’s resilience, Mouad’s independence, and Rey and Malou’s partnership illustrate how life’s challenges can lead to profound personal growth. These narratives reveal that behind every journey is a story of courage, determination, and the pursuit of connection.

Through our “Where Travel Finds You” campaign, we celebrate these voices, reminding us all that every journey—big or small—can inspire transformation and connection.