Your first 12 months in Canada will most likely be one of the most interesting years of your life. You made it… but this is when you’re discovering adapting to a new culture and a new environment takes patience and time.
Here are my tips to survive your first year in Canada.
Getting through your first Canadian winter
Buy appropriate clothes and dress in layers
Save time and money, and buy winter clothes once you’re in Canada. Unless you’re from a country with similar winters, the “warm” jacket you’re bringing from home won’t help much when it’s -40C.
The best way to keep warm is to dress in layers. The most important thing to remember when you go out is to trap body heat–forget about low-rise pants and invest in long shirts, sweaters, gloves, good socks, etc.
Do check the forecast
The weather can change very fast in Canada. Check the temperature before going out. Blue sky doesn’t mean anything, it can “look” hot with a temperature of -30C. You will also want to know if it’s likely to snow during the day, and if so, how much snow we’re talking about. Trust me, 30 cm of snow can make a huge difference in your day.
Plan your commute
If you drive, you may need to plug your car (block heater) in the morning to warm it up. If you take the bus, allow extra time to get to the bus stop during a snowstorm. Freezing rain? Roads get extremely slippery, slow down and expect delays.
Invest in winter gear
If you live in a house, you’ll need a shovel to clear the driveway. Feeling fancy? Hire a contractor but read the fine print to find out how often they come and when.
Keep a snow brush and an ice scraper in your car as well because a credit card isn’t that great of a tool to scrape the ice from your windshield, no matter how good your credit is!
You’ll also need snow boots, gloves (multiple pairs, like socks, they tend to vanish mysteriously) and a hat. I also like large scarves to cover my face if needed.
Dealing with homesickness
Read, watch TV, listen to the radio in your first language
Check out your local library for books in your first language—Canada is a multicultural country, most large cities keep a selection in Chinese, Spanish, etc. You can also pick up free community newspapers in international grocery stores. Alternatively, you can watch OMNITV with news, movies and documentaries in almost every language.
Connect with other immigrants
Canada is a very multicultural nation, there’s probably someone speaking your language close by. Some communities have their own district (Chinatown, Little Korea, Little Italy, etc.).
You can also visit a newcomer centre (such as the YMCA) or a community centre in your neighbourhood. Libraries can also have an info desk for immigrants! You’re also likely to meet people if you take language classes or sign up for career development courses.
Share your experience online
Blogs and social media are a great way to meet people who came to Canada twenty years or twenty days ago. Hey, this is why I started this blog in the first place!
Making progress to reach your goals
Accept culture shock
No matter where you’re from—yes, even if you’re American—you’ll experience a certain level of culture shock from the environment to the language, from personal interactions to workplace etiquette. It’s okay. Be kind to yourself, it takes time to adapt and it’s okay. Be curious, ask questions, observe people. Remember that you don’t have to become Canadian overnight—and it’s also perfectly fine to not embrace every single Canadian tradition in your everyday life.
Keep professional expectations realistic
Ideally, you’ll find a job that both pays the bills and makes you happy. However, without Canadian experience and references, you may have to compromise. Don’t waste too much time looking for the perfect opportunity, you have to start somewhere.
Never give up on improving your language skills
Your life will improve dramatically if you master English or French—or even better, both. Take classes, practice, don’t be shy and leverage your language abilities for better opportunities.
Moving to a new country is a bold move. Expect ups and downs and don’t take setbacks too seriously!
Maybe because I was a kid when we moved here, but we survived fine the first year. I often wonder how it’s like for foreigners:)
Hi! Sometime ago I made up my bucket list. I mentioned that we would like to go to Ireland and France before I kicked the bucket. Having a number of friends in Canada, I would like to change my list to include Canada as it has so much in common with Australia. Take Care – Peter McCartney
i love that you write so much about surviving that first winter. it brings images to my mind of canadians eating helpless immigrants because the snow is too deep to hunt moose.
Interesting en useful tips… you should write a book for immigrants…
Hi Zhu,
It’s so kind of you to initiate this series which I’m certain will be beneficial for a lot of people across Asia who are planning to migrate to Canada – and even for those already there and are beginning to feel lost and alone.
I agree with Sidney, you should write a book about these things, including all the other subjects about the country you serialized in previous posts. I’m sure even Canadians may not be aware of so many things you have been able to document about the country.
Who knows, it could be a bestseller, and the Canadian government may even initiate reforms because of what you have bees able to experience first hand. Some parts could be hilarious like a Frenchwoman having difficulty understanding and communicating in French in Quebec.
Anyway, finish the series first okay? 🙂 –Durano, done!
Heheheh…if I am homesick I just call Zhu 🙂 Thanks for the tips but won’t be homesick too much because my family will be with me 🙂
Great post 😀 Is SOOOO true!! And I really enjoy our virtual relantionship xD Is really fun!
Great post, it applies to migrants as well. When I moved from Vancouver to Montreal, let me tell I had culture shock for months on end. I was so afraid to take the Metro for fear of getting lost and not being able to find someone to speak English to help me with my way back home. Of course I was completely wrong many people speak English in Montreal however I was completely ignorant. Clothing as well was an issue, almost nothing can prepare you for a Montreal winter, many times I would park my car on the street at night and could not find it in the morning as it was completely buried in snow. Fortunately Montrealers are neighbourly people and there was always someone around to help push me out of the snow bank!
So to all the immigrants who read this blog, don’t feel bad we can have culture shock in our country as it is so diverse.
How do you find the food in Canada? Do you miss French/Chinese food?
@Bluefish – I think it all depends on how and why you immigrate in Canada… and also where you come from. I went through culture shock and I lived in China before!
@Peter McCartney – Canada does have a lot in common with OZ, and it’s somehow at the same time the opposite. Trade beaches for forests and lakes, summer for winter etc. I loved OZ!
@Seraphine – Nah, they don’t eat us. They have poutine and beavertails!
@Sidney – One day, why not? 😉
@durano lawayan – I really hope it helps some, I had trouble finding info when I first came to Canada. Besides, it’s fun to share experience and knowledge!
@shionge – You would be just fine, you seem to love traveling and therefor, I bet you adapt well!
@Aiglee – You seem to have survive just fine! 😉
@Cori – Oh, I trust you on that, each province has its own culture and I bet I’d have to learn some skills again if I were to move to Alberta or Saskatchewan! I went to Manitoba last year and so many things were different: shops, companies, local lingo, weather etc. It’s really funny!
@Khengsiong – I don’t miss French food much, except for the cheese I guess. And I can find Chinese food really easily, plus I’m living with a Chinese-Canadian so it’s not an issue. I actually get sick of rice pretty quickly! Food has never been a huge issue to me, besides, I cook a lot.
Simply Wow! You are a true Canada immigration guide 😉
Hi Zhu,
Its nice to read some real original tips from an experienced person. I think it will take some time for a person especially Asian to adapt to the new weather and culture. I just met a friend of mine who has migrated to Toronto and came back here for a holiday, and she was trying hard to adapt back to the warm weather of this country, sweating!
Very nicely written! You should do this for a Canadian gov’t website! One thing that I found difficult while living overseas, was that even in countries with much milder winters than Canada, I was always shivering inside! I sure missed central heat!
I recently received an email from a guy in Spain interested in moving to Canada, and I directed him to your site!
You know, I tell newcomers that the best guides are not really the native (as in, born-and-raised local) people, it’s the other newcomers who arrived recently and the experiences are fresh.
I’ve expatriated myself several times (Australia, UK, and USA), and wasn’t born in Canada, so I know the feeling of being foreign even though I didn’t have to learn a new language. (Although, in Australia and the UK, it was like learning a new language!) It’s a feeling of isolation, but eventually you figure out how to get around, make some friends, and it gets easier.
Wow! I could direct those interested in immigration to Canada to read your informative posts giving practical and sensible advice.
Hi, I lived in Toronto 26 years ago when my children were small and my husband had a great job. Returned to Ireland when dad died to be with my mother. Now she has passed and I’m so homesick for Canada, but my children are all married with children and not prepared to come back with us. We are all Citizens, we lived there for 10 years. I would love to go back but am scared, of being lonely, the winters, the cost of living ( we are retired now and on a strict budget). Looking at some expats blogs electricity, insurance, heating bills, it seems to be really expensive now, so don’t know if we could afford to live there again. Anyone able to enlighten me re: cost of living. I am in a real quandry, we have the opportunity to move to Spain, which is closer to my kids and grandkids, warmer climate, cheaper flights, yet I loved the Canadian lifestyle. Please give me your honest thoughts about this what would you do if in the same position, is that an unfair question, I would really welcome some honest opinions.
Thanking you Denise
@Annie – Thank you Annie! Hope you found it useful.
@zunnur – It takes time to everybody actually… I mean, even Americans or British, who are closer to Canadian culture, experience come culture shock.
@Brenda – Granted, Canada has the best heat system!
@Gail at Large – And it’s fascinating too, I find. Yes, adapting is tough but at the same time, it’s such a cool and unique experience…
@Celine – Sure, I’d love to share!
Hi Denise,
Thanks for your question!
As for standard of living, I haven’t live in Europe in a few years myself but each time I go visit my parents in France, I notice that prices are generally higher there. Groceries, housing, insurances etc. is cheaper in Canada.
Yes, heating bills are more in the winter. However, we try our best to reduce it by adding a few blankets, not using the air-con too much in the summer etc.
It also depends where you plan to live. Toronto is always more expensive. Ottawa is a bit cheaper but it’s still a bubble, since a lot of people living there have a steady and relatively higher income thanks to government jobs.
Money-wise, I’m pretty sure that if you can survive in Europe, you can survive in Canada. But the psychological aspect of moving back to Canada may be tougher.
I’m sure the country changed since you lived there, and it hasn’t, well, you may have 🙂 You are bound to feel some disappointments because you may feel your dream life there may not be as good. It’s basically a new experience for you.
If I were you, I’d come here for a little trip, see if I can meet some old friends, check the standard of living etc. And then I’d make a decision. Places change, people change…
Good luck!
Hi ZHU im aplyin for student visa there. Can u tell me in which part of canada I find indian or nepalese so tht I could easily be familier with these people. Im from Nepal
Honestly, there are immigrants from all over the world in Canada. I know Toronto has a large Indian population and so does Ottawa to a lesser extent. Big cities (which typically have universities welcoming foreign students) have the largest immigrant communities.
I also know a few blogger from India who settled in Canada, you may want to check this blog and this one http://bharari.net/.
hi i am john from cochin, india got hooked by your site and pics….
now it is 1:55 am and feeling energetic and blessed to view your site…
all the very best… keep writing… john
Hi John,
I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the blog… don’t forget to sleep though! 😉
Hey,
Just discovered your blog. It is so helpful for students like me. Planing to come to canada coming january. Any advice on finding a part time time in that season. Have heard it is vey difficult to even step out sometimes. 🙂
Yes, January can be bitterly cold in most of the country! That said, it’s business as usual around here. As for advice, well, it depends on what your visa status will be and on the kind of job you are looking for 🙂
Hi zhu, its nice of you taking time to direct people in their travel arrangements. Be blessed
I have interest to coming to Canada, hope you will assist me. Thanks
I can’t assist anyone other by providing info on this blog…