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How To Survive Your First Year In Canada

Chinatown, Ottawa
Chinatown, Ottawa

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!

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Zhu

French woman in English Canada.

Exploring the world with my camera since 1999, translating sentences for a living, writing stories that may or may not get attention.

Firm believer that nobody is normal... and it’s better this way.

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