New to Canada? Be a culture shock absorber!
Indian-born Nazreena Anwar-Travas shares her experiences with culture shock!
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!
What is this culture shock anyway?
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:
- The language barrier or the communication barrier is by far one of the most difficult obstacles that most newcomers face. It is not uncommon for even those who speak English to experience a sort of reticence when it comes to speaking openly. Sometimes it’s not just knowing English, it is how it is spoken or pronounced.
- Getting accustomed to new dressing habits is another shocker for some. One of my neighbours who was so used to being draped in a saree initially found it preposterous to wear trousers or jeans. But, after a few days of walking in the wind, she shyly brought home a pair of blue jeans. “If it helps my legs to keep warm, why not?” she laughed. “Congratulations, my friend, you have just completed your first adjustment course,” I heard myself say.
- The technology gap is another area where some newcomers have a hard adjustment. This is especially so for those who are not used to working on computers or applications. A good friend of mine was used to having his assistant draft reports and business correspondence at his job back home and felt intimidated when he had to “do everything” himself in his new job in Canada. Being so used to a dial and talk lifestyle, I personally had a tough time accepting that most people prefer to text more, reserving the “call me” for more detailed conversations, planning or problem-solving.
- Socially accepted behavior is yet another learning curve. This includes using certain expressions and body language. Asking why someone is not yet married or how many children one has might seem like breaking the ice barrier in certain ethnic cultures, but such questions are construed as being too inquisitive and getting too personal!
- For me, it was a totally different shock altogether: the climate shock. Oh yes, after having lived in Dubai for almost seven years, everything under 20 degrees Celsius felt freezing to me. I landed in Calgary in June 2011 and by July when Calgarians wore T-shirts and shorts, I was still donned in my black jacket and walked around with my hands in my pockets. Needless to say, I stuck out like a sore thumb.
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!