Learning to Care for Yourself and Your Community
At JIBC, we are committed to supporting the well-being of all students. It is important for you to be conscious and aware of your personal health and wellness and the well-being of the community in order to be successful in your program. Given the hectic nature of college life, you may find this to be the most challenging aspect of your time here.
You will need to work hard to ensure that you get adequate sleep, regular exercise, and time for reflection. If you do not take care of yourself, taking care of others and meeting the challenges of the program will become very difficult.
In addition to taking care of yourself, you will need to reflect on your studies and your participation in all aspects of your program. This includes thinking about how you interact with others and taking responsibility to build a respectful and inclusive community.
Cultural Adjustment
Living in a new environment can be both exciting and challenging. It is common for international students, no matter what country they are from, to go through ups and downs while adjusting to life in Canada. Understanding this adjustment process and getting support during this time will help you have a more fulfilling experience while at JIBC and in Canada.
Culture Shock
“Culture shock” is a common experience that describes the feelings of confusion and stress that happen when in an unfamiliar culture. Not everyone has the same reactions to cultural adjustment. Different people will experience the symptoms of culture shock in varying degrees and at different times.
Some common reactions to culture shock include:
- Extreme homesickness
- Avoiding social situations
- Sleep difficulties
- Difficulty with course work and lack of concentration
- Becoming angry over minor irritations
- Significant nervousness and anxiety
Coping Strategies to Help with the Adjustment Process
- Keep active. Become involved in sports, music, or another activity. Being involved will give you opportunities to meet people and help you learn about Canada.
- Be open-minded and curious. Allow yourself to be curious about the way things are perceived and done.
- Stay healthy by exercising, eating good food, and getting adequate sleep.
- Read, listen, and speak in English. It is easier to understand a culture when you understand and speak the language.
- Spend time with people. Introduce yourself to other international students so you can help support each other.
- Find someone to talk to such as a family member, a counsellor, or another student. Having someone to share your ideas or help clarify things is a great support.
- Be patient. It is important to remember that feelings of anxiousness or frustration are normal and temporary. Give yourself time to adjust!
Adapting to a new culture is an ongoing process so being patient is of utmost importance. It can be challenging at times but this process of adjustment will help develop your confidence in dealing with new situations. It can also lead to a greater appreciation of your own culture.
Group Gatherings and Teamwork
From time to time throughout your studies, there may be large group meetings, functions, or team assignments. These gatherings and teamwork provide opportunities for the whole group to discuss ideas and issues that are relevant to everyone and provides experience of working in teams. These activities also provide an opportunity to practice conflict resolution, public speaking, and active listening in a group setting. The intent of these activities is to benefit from the wisdom of the whole group before making major decisions and for problem-solving.
Peace and Conflict Resolution
Learning to resolve differences respectfully through conflict resolution and other related skills are an important part of every student’s experience and development at JIBC. These skills are acquired by: training and practicing these skills, sharing spaces with other students, learning to discuss issues and course content in the classroom, working alongside others during activities, participating in group gatherings, and various other daily interactions.