Adjusting to Canadian culture: 5 tips for international students
One element of studying abroad that can be challenging to prepare for is culture – it’s hard to know exactly how you’ll react to the Canadian way of life until you’re abroad. But by knowing what to expect and how to manage the inevitable feelings of culture shock, you’ll be on your way to feeling at home while studying abroad in no time. Here are our top five tips for adjusting to Canadian culture.
1. Expect culture shock
What’s culture shock? It’s a feeling of disorientation that comes from living or visiting an unfamiliar culture. Being away from your home country, your family, your friends, the food you’re used to can feel uncomfortable at first. But the truth is, almost every international student goes through culture shock to some degree. Accepting that it’s normal, and that you’ll feel better the longer you’re abroad, is key to managing it. Reaching out to friends and family back home can help manage your emotions. You can also try connecting with new friends you meet at school. Whether they’re a Canadian or international student, they’re probably also missing home.
2. Embrace Canadian politeness
Canadians are notoriously friendly and polite. Don’t be surprised if strangers try to start a conversation with you, open the door for you, or smile at you. While this might be pretty different from what you’re used to, try your best to be friendly in response. Canadian students might offer to show you around campus, introduce you to their friends, or take you to their favorite restaurants. Embrace it! Saying yes to these polite offers can help you connect more deeply to the culture and meet new friends along the way.
3. Take advantage of your campus community and local resources
One of the easiest ways to adjust to Canadian culture is to take advantage of your school’s clubs or sports teams. By doing this, you’ll meet students from all over and learn a lot about the Canadian way of life from your new friends and/or teammates. Remember that most schools also offer resources specifically for international students, so be sure to research your school’s offerings. This can be a great way to meet people who are also adjusting to Canadian culture.
Even though your campus is a great place to start, connecting with your nearby community beyond your campus is another helpful way to feel at home – whether you’re in a big city like Toronto or a smaller town like Alberta. Little things like finding a local doctor, signing up for a Canadian bank account like TD Bank,* and frequenting locally-owned businesses can help you feel more enmeshed in the culture around you. By opening a Canadian bank account, for example, you’ll be able to make payments and manage your budget more easily. It might sound small, but changes like this can really add up and help you feel like a real Canadian resident versus a tourist.
4. Try the local cuisine – and maybe find a taste of home
Food is a great (and delicious) way to experience a new culture, and Canada is no exception. From mouth-watering poutine – french fries topped with gravy and cheese – to fresh maple syrup, your taste buds will be happy while studying abroad. But Canadian food has a lot more to offer than traditional dishes. People from all over the world have made Canada their home, which means you might even be able to find food from your home country while you’re abroad. It also means many Canadians appreciate different types of food. If you’ve got access to a kitchen, try inviting new friends over for a home-cooked meal from your country. While being abroad is a great way to learn about Canadian culture, the exchange goes both ways – Canadian students will love learning about your culture too!
5. Be prepared for cold weather
Our list wouldn’t be complete without a quick tip about the weather. As you probably already know, most regions of Canada experience very cold (and long!) winters. Maybe you’re used to this, but chances are your home country is a lot warmer than Canada. Being prepared for the culture also means being prepared for the weather. Canadians aren’t afraid of a little snow or ice, and you’ll miss out on a lot if you’re hibernating indoors all winter. Invest in a warm jacket and learn to layer.
Making Canada your home away from home
Canada is an incredible country for international students – but that doesn’t mean you won’t miss home. Remember to be patient with yourself as you adapt to your new surroundings. Feeling fully comfortable while studying abroad takes time, but with these tips, Canada will feel like home in no time!
*MPOWER has referral agreements with TD Bank and may earn referral fees from this relationship.
