Bhupinder Kaur is representing Delta in the upcoming Miss BC pageant — a big deal for a girl who only came to Canada two years ago.

“In the eyes of Indian people from my town, they think I am doing a big thing,” she said. “Participating in Miss BC is really a big thing for me.”

Kaur grew up in a small town in the Punjab province of India, and came to Delta for school when she was 17.

“It’s kind of hard to survive,” Kaur said about coming to Canada. “Everything is new. You just leave your family behind and you don’t know anyone in a new country.”

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Living, working and learning on her own was a challenge, especially when she felt people were taking advantage of her.

“I didn’t tell my mom about this, and after two or three months I told her everything,” Kaur said.

Her mother’s advice was for Kaur to focus on her future and keep up her confidence — something Kaur hopes the Miss BC pageant will give her.

“I’m not sure if I will win this or no, but I am participating in this because of my mom,” she said. “She told me do this, this will give you confidence for your life.”

The pageant takes place July 3 in Surrey, but you can vote for the People’s Choice Award until midnight on June 23 by visiting blackpressdeals.secondstreetapp.com/Miss-BC—Vote/gallery.