When we decide to settle in a new country or society it’s always our choice, but the reasons that pushed us may not be our choice. According to that we can sort newcomers into two groups. The first group is people who are looking for a better opportunity. They are not forced to leave their own country, and the majority of them are students, workers, or new graduates. This group doesn’t have a real problem in their adjustment process because they prepared themselves to move to this country, they know the language, and they have a good idea about the customs and society. In brief, they have a will to live in this society.
The other group is people who are forced to leave their society. They are looking for a new chance to live in any place where it is safe and where they can start their lives again. Most of them do not have language skills or any idea about the culture or customs in a new society. In brief, they have a will to live in any safe place, and I want to focus on this group who may have difficulty adjusting to their new life in Canada.
From my personal experience, I have learnt that there are four keys to success here. The first key is to accept the change in your life and be able to change yourself. Do not live in the past dreaming what you were or what you had before. It is a new start; look toward the future, think about what you want, make a goal and try hard to achieve it.
One of the keys to success is to have friends, and to connect with people. Do not live as a person lives on an island. You need friends to guide you. They can help in any challenge you could face like to find a job or an apartment, to solve any problem in your new life, and also to communicate because the human cannot live alone. And here in Canada to do that you need to accept others, especially people from other cultures. You live in a multicultural country and meet and work with people from different cultures and customs. You just need to respect them and they will respond to you in the same way.
Another helpful key is to know the law. The law might change between one country and another, so you should know your rights and duties and live within the law. You do not want to be in trouble because the Canadian police are very strict to apply the law. Their duty is to protect you, but if you do something wrong without knowing they will understand that you are a newcomer, but do not make this a habit.
The fourth key is to know how to write and read one of the official languages, which are French and English here. You should be able to read and understand documents at work, at the bank, or anywhere. You are not going to sign documents you do not understand.
Finally, I would like to say that you are the key to make the change and make your own happiness. I know life was not quite like what you expected but you are really lucky to be in Canada. I was also sad to leave my country. I felt what you feel but after one year of living here I am glad to be in Canada.
Raed Assaf is a student in the LINC program at Mohawk College. He studied tourism and hotel management at Al-Baath University of Syria. He is looking forward to making his own happiness in Canada.
