Adjusting to Life in Canada

Moving to a new country is a very difficult task and it is certainly not easy if you are moving to Canada. Most of the people are very polite. It is also a very diverse country in both culture and landscape. You will feel welcomed and you would appreciate the warmth of people. But being raised in different country you will observe some cultural shocks, as people will look different speak different and they behave differently. In order to be survive you must embrace the challenge of adjusting, be it be learning a new language or making new friends.

So, here are few things a new immigrant could do to adjust to life in Canada:

1. Formal ways

• Getting all your documents

When a new person arrives in Canada, he needs a lot of paperwork. First you should get his study/work permit depending on the visa. Then they should get their SIN number, it helps them in getting work. After getting the SIN number, you might consider getting yourself any government issued ID. It helps in various ways. For example, if you go to a bank to open an account, they will ask you for 2 pieces of photo ID.

• Getting your driving license

In order to get around, you will need a car and for that you need a driving license because public transit is not available at all locations. In the province of British Columbia, the regulatory body for driving is called ICBC. For a newcomer to get a license he needs to go to ICBC and appear for a leaner’s test, which if they pass will give the class 7 license. After one year of having the class 7 license you can appear to your N license. You can always get more information on the ICBC website. https://www.icbc.com/Pages/default.aspx

• Getting accommodation

If you are coming on a student visa you always check with your college if they provide accommodation, if not then you must arrange it by yourself. It is always handy if you have friends as they can help you. Nevertheless you can find rental advertisements on websites like craigslist, kijiji and facebook.

2. Informal ways

• Keeping an open mind

You cannot understand a new culture without experiencing it by yourself that’s why keeping a open mind is very important. You should have a positive attitude and don’t shy away from experiencing new things (Rttglobal, 2013, para. 2).

• Meeting new people

It is always best to socialize especially if you are at a new place. It can be scary at first, if you’re an introvert. But it is important for a human to have friends. They are your family away from family. Making new friends will also help you get over homesickness (Mueller, 2018, para. 8).

• Volunteer

If you are new to Canada, you should consider volunteering. “Over 13.3 million people—accounting for 47% of Canadians aged 15 and over—did volunteer work in 2010” (Vézina & Crompton, 2015, para 3.). Therefore, not only will you meet new people, but you will also develop interpersonal skills.