Canada

I would like to write about what I like about Canadians and what I thought about Canadians before I came here. As a newcomer, I am always trying to gain knowledge and new skills. Some of these experiences I have never previously had. The most important change for an immigrant is adjusting to the new culture and how to deal with culture shock.

Before I came to Canada, I had heard Canadians had a good reputation for politeness and respecting other people. I found this totally true, and I am so happy about that. They have great manners and usually say "sorry, please and thank you" when they are speaking with other people. Moreover, when someone who is not fluent in English, they listen patiently, make guesses, and try to respond politely.

On the other hand, some immigrants often find Canadians to be very private and almost withdrawn, but I do not agree at all. I have noticed over the past four years that the other cultures, such as my own – the Middle East, has different manners. Some cultures are incredibly open about personal details, which may be considered rude and impolite to Canadians. I think the sign of a good friendship is relative and people need time to know each other’s cultures.

One thing that really surprised me is the number of homeless people. In a country like Canada, this is really unbelievable. I hadn’t heard about homelessness in Canada, but fortunately, there are emergency shelters provided by the Government of Canada and various municipal governments to help. Also, they have so many programs focus on helping to solve this issue today, but I still feel sad for them. Finally, the most significant adjustment in an immigrant's life is learning more about their new culture. I realize how different my previous culture is compared to my new culture.