Canadian Culture Workshop

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Canadian Culture Workshop

• Learning New Ways

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How can I learn everything?
When I left my country I was blue, and everyone
in the new country was yellownow Ive returned
to my country, I am green (anonymous). Living
in a new country will change you but it is a
slow process. Keep an open mind and pay
attention to what is going on around you.
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• Your expectations

• Academics
• Friendships
• Daily life

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How can you succeed academically?

• You are probably one of the strongest students
  from your home area why else would you be able
  to travel so far to study?
• Dont be surprised if you have an adjustment to
  make in your academics what made you successful
  before may not work here.

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How not to embarrass yourself

• There are many differences in the ways people
  deal with issues of privacy, cleanliness and
  quiet time
• Cleanliness make sure to sit down with your
  roommates and discuss things like quiet hours,
  schedule for cleaning, when to have parties,
  dividing up grocery bills or not, etc.
• Personal Hygiene Shower daily, brush your teeth
  and use deodorant every day. Make sure your
  clothes smell fresh before wearing them.
• Privacy issues Knock before entering another
  persons room or office. Canadians have a large
  Personal Space Bubble )

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Discrimination

• Canada is a country that welcomes people from all
  over the world respect for every culture is an
  important Canadian value
• Discrimination according to gender, marital
  status, physical or mental disability, age, race,
  ethnicity, national or social origin, religion,
  political opinion, and sexual orientation are
  SERIOUS OFFENCES in Canada and Newfoundland law.
• If you feel you are being victimized, see your
  International Student Advisor or the Sexual
  Harassment Advisor to report the offence.
• Be careful not to offend you are now living in
  Canada and must abide by our laws.

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Culture Shock

• Culture shock is a type of homesickness.
• You should expect that being forced to meet your
  everyday needs (e.g. language, climate, food,
  hygiene, companionship) in new ways will be
  STRESSFUL!
• If you find that you often feel very unhappy or
  angry you are probably suffering from CULTURE
  SHOCK.

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What can you do?

• Accept that there are no quick solutions!
• Be patient with yourself and those around you.
• Observe others and try to be aware of their body
  language and what it means
• Make sure you have a routine! Go to class,
  exercise regularly, get enough sleep
• Remember who you are and who really cares about
  you keep in contact with your friends and family
  back home

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Conclusion

• I hope that this presentation has given you some
  helpful advice on how to deal with communication
  problems, understand Canadian customs better, and
  deal with culture shock.
• Your Canadian educational experience should be a
  positive one, hopefully these tips will help you
  get the most out of your time at Memorial
  University!