Canalien Spotlight: Eli Kim-Swallow

May 09, 2017 1 Comment

Meet your Fellow Canalien Eli Kim-Swallow! 🇨🇦 👽

What does being Can-alien mean to you?
To me, being Canalien means that no matter where you go in the world, you always know and feel that Canada is home. Every experience abroad makes me appreciate where I come from that much more.

What passport do you hold?
Canadian

What does “home” mean to you / where is your home?
Home to me is my family and friends. I have made new relationships abroad that will last forever but the bonds I have and stay closely connected to in Canada -more than 6,000km away- only confirm to me that Toronto is my home.

In what country have you had the most experiences as a Canalien? What happened?
I have been living in Madrid, Spain for the past 2 years and that is where I've had most of my experiences. Learning a new language, new culture, new customs have been my favourite parts. Going to my first “Capaea” was interesting too... Capeas are mini bull fights where the animal is not harmed at all, but patrons must jump out of the way- terrifying to say the least!

Where is your favourite place in Canada to explore?
I unfortunately have not ventured too far around my own country! Which I see as my next big adventure for sure! I am very intrigued by the North and the West Coast… For now, I always enjoy exploring new things in my own city. It’s amazing that even after living in Toronto my entire life, there are so many cool things to constantly discover.

What city in the world did you travel to that has the best:
Food: San Sebastian, Spain 🇪🇸
People: Puerta Vallarta, Mexico 🇲🇽
Entertainment: Madrid Centro, Spain 🇪🇸
Scenery: Costa Blanca, Alicante, Spain 🇪🇸

If you could work anywhere in the world where would it be?
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sounds silly to say home, but I have been away for several years. Attending university in the USA, and now living overseas for 2 years, has only confirmed to me that I want to come back home to Toronto.

What are you planning for your next big trip?
CANADA for sure! I say Canada and not anywhere specific because I unfortunately have not travelled around my own country. With the size, different landscapes, and vastly different cultures found across Canada, my next big adventure is to explore as much as I can.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I will be 36 years old (wow) and I will hopefully be making a difference in the world as well as raising little ones to one day do the same! I want to be a father and the best one at that! So being with my family, helping people as well as being successful in business... that's the goal for me in 10 years. I would like to settle in Toronto, or the GTA preferably... but if things change that is ok too!

Where would you like to retire?
I would ideally like to retire back home. That being said, if my passion takes me somewhere else entirely, that is perfectly ok too! I have realized traveling and living as a Canalien for years now, that Toronto will always be home… even if I am not there physically. So as long as I am following my passion, helping people while I do it… “Where” is not the most important. Who will be with me, and what I will be doing to make a real difference in the world, is the most important.