Adjusting to Life in Canada

Coming to Canada for the first time to study? Here are a few tips to help you adjust!

Adjusting to life in Canada can be difficult! Each culture has different ways of doing life that can sometimes be foreign to people from other cultures. If you've never been to Canada, there may be some cultural differences that you're not even aware of! Here are a few important aspects of Canadian culture to take note of:

1. In Canada, people do their best to arrive on time for social engagements. If you do not arrive on time, people will worry that something has happened to you, or that you have forgotten about your appointment or commitment. You are also encouraged to arrive on time for doctor appointments, meetings with your professors, and so on.

2. In public, strong colognes and perfumes aren't recommended, because many people have sensitivities or allergies to strong scents. Mild deodorants and scents are normally fine!

3. Canadians value politeness and expect it when interacting with one another in various social settings with strangers. It is considered rude if someone is aggressive in line-ups or when waiting for a service of some kind. When interacting with faculty, it is appropriate to refer to them as either Doctor or Professor, depending on their education.

4. When working, it is expected that you come to work on time, work responsibly, and that you notify your supervisor when you are unable to come in to work due to sickness, etc.

Common courtesy combined with curiosity will help you adapt to living in another culture better. When in doubt, feel free to ask the people around you! In the same way that you may not know about some cultural differences in Canada, Canadian students may not be familiar with your culture either! So you won't be the only one asking questions. And don't be alarmed if they question you or don't understand something you're doing. Feel free to let someone know if they are being unintentionally offensive. If we're patient with each other, we can understand, learn and grow from speaking about our different cultures, and be all the better for it.

At Redeemer, we share plenty of common ground — not only in your education, but also in the Christian faith, where students will worship together at chapel. Many ideas and relationships can transcend culture. We hope your experience in Canada and the friends you make will be a frequent joy and enrich your life for many years to come. All the best next year!