New to Canada? Be a culture shock absorber!

July 18th, 2018 Nazreena Anwar-TravasCommunity, Featured, Living comments

What awaits most immigrants to Canada is not just a new country or new currency or new cuisine. "Be braced for culture shock," you might have heard your friends say when you were busy packing your bags. The culture there is so different!

Culture shock is often defined as the feeling of disorientation experienced when people are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life or attitudes. It can be one of the toughest things to overcome especially when someone has very strongly rooted ethnic traditions and is used to certain ways of life.

Handling culture shock is not just limited to overcoming or adapting to a different social environment, general attitude or eating or drinking habits. It can encompass everything from bridging language barriers or technology gaps, to accepting certain hygiene practices and accepted ways of social behaviour or body language.

While it might pass quickly for some, it might take longer, even months, to overcome what seems to be one of the most challenging phases of their lives. In fact, it is not uncommon for a person who is in the adjustment stage to display behaviour that is usually associated with stress and depression such as mood swings.

Other symptoms include feelings of helplessness, homesickness, erratic eating and drinking habits, and feelings of guilt. Yes, depending on where you are from, what awaits in Canada can either come across as a novelty or as a shock. The question is — are you prepared to be a shock absorber?

Based on my experience as an immigrant, here are five aspects of culture shock you may have to overcome:

While it is natural to feel lost in a new culture, do not feel helpless. Settlement agencies and local libraries have programs designed to help newcomers bridge the gap by offering programs such as spoken English classes, sessions on how to familiarize with the novelty around you, other programs to help you feel welcome in your new home.

Remember, you are not alone in battling culture shock. You are not the first one and definitely not the last one either!

Last piece of advice based on my experience: dealing with culture shock with an open and positive attitude can go a long way in bridging the shock. While it is perfectly normal to esteem one's ethnic culture, try as much as possible not to end up being ethnocentric. It is definitely comforting to hang around with fellow nationals and create a sort of informal ethnic community, but always be cognizant that you have made a choice to immigrate to a new country. It is unfair to expect Canada to accept you when you don't want to accept Canada. So, get out of your familiarity shell and blend in! Be a culture shock absorber!

Nazreena Anwar-Travas

Indian-born Nazreena Anwar-Travas lives in Calgary and is a contributor to Canadian Immigrant.