New to Canada?

Canada is a country of immigrants and more arrive every day.  Moving to a different country takes courage and patience.  If you come to be with your family you have support but some people come because of problems in their home countries.


The government has set up an excellent webpage for newcomers.  The URL is:
www.settlement.org
You can read all the information in your own language if you have problems with English.


Many newcomers and even tourists have 'culture shock'.  What is culture shock?
(taken from:  http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/culture_shock.html)


"Culture shock isn't a clinical term or medical condition. It's simply a common way to describe the confusing and nervous feelings a person may have after leaving a familiar culture to live in a new and different culture. When you move to a new place, you're bound to face a lot of changes. That can be exciting and stimulating, but it can also be overwhelming. You may feel sad, anxious, frustrated, and want to go home.

It's natural to have difficulty adjusting to a new culture. People from other cultures (whom you'll be hanging out with and going to school with) may have grown up with values and beliefs that differ from yours. Because of these differences, the things they talk about, the ways they express themselves, and the importance of various ideas may be very different from what you are used to. But the good news is that culture shock is temporary."

If you need more help or have any questions, don't forget, you can always email us!