Settlement

When I decided to come to Canada, it was the biggest change in my life. When I arrived, I felt happy and nervous at the same time. I was comfortable to be in a safe country but I was also worried about the new challenges. The language was the biggest problem I faced. It was hard to speak and understand English especially in daily life or when reading papers sent to us by the government. This made things such as going to the doctor, asking for help, or shopping more difficult. I also had trouble finding a job. I had many years of work experience from my country, but it was not easy to find a job in Canada. Most jobs need good English and Canadian work experience. I worked in simple jobs but I always looked for better opportunities. It was hard to be far from my family. In Canada, my wife works, so it is not easy to take care of the children, study, and work all at the same time, but we are trying our best every day. I am learning English in LINC Home Study program. I enjoy learning and try to improve my listening and writing skills. My goal is to improve my English skills well and find a job that suits me.

The differences between Canada and my country, Syria are many. The biggest one is the weather. The winter in Canada is very cold and there is a lot of snow; instead the weather in Syria is warmer most of the year. Another big difference is social life. People in Syria are very close. Friends and relatives visit each other often, and families spend a lot of time together, but in Canada, social life is very quiet. People are polite but often stay alone, and it is hard to make new friends. Sometimes, life here feels lonely. Also, life in Canada is more organized and people follow the rules and are punctual. In Syria, life was simpler but not always organized.

With all these problems, I am thankful to be in Canada. I believe the future will be better for me and my family. Life here is not easy, but it has many good chances for people who work hard and never give up.