ARRIVAL LOUNGE
STARTING AFRESH IN CANADA
Photo by: MATTHEW HENRY/BURST
By PANKAJ MEHRA
New to Canada in March 1996, we were unsure of just about everything. Among others, two very special couples helped to familiarize us with life in this country. These four wonderful souls made us feel welcome here. Suspending pre-judgment and accepting us for who we were, they patiently offered advice and guidance every step of the way.
Just before the close of 2018 we were invited for dinner by one of these couples. This was not a New Year Eve party, but an opportunity for us to meet with two young couples and a student from India, all of whom had very recently come to Canada. These young, smart, enthusiastic and upbeat “kids” were a very refreshing change from the moribund fuddy-duddies one usually encounters. Thanks to the questions posed by our young newcomer companions and their engaging comments, we got to review Canada afresh and share their excitement as they settle in their new country of choice.
As Yogi Berra would have said, for my wife and me it was a “deja vu all over again” moment! We were reminded of our own doubts and anxieties from over two decades ago. The uncertainties and apprehensions about life in a new country, differences in cultures and etiquettes, help with identifying trustworthy resources for solutions to daily life issues and other possibly trivial matters that appear, oh-so-daunting to newcomers.
Thanks to our interaction that evening, I am able to share a summarized version of our collective thoughts on matters that should be of interest to most newcomers. In no particular order, these are:
Expand your horizons, starting with the “community” you choose to interact with. Go beyond the ethnic community group you belong to, as “community” here includes neighbours on your street, parents and teachers at your kids’ school and/or activity groups, etc. Get out of your comfort zone to expose yourself to new ideas.
Volunteer. It could be the local library, food bank, providing translation services at the hospital or ferrying patients in need of transportation. Mix with people and better understand local customs, etiquette and Canadian norms. Besides expanding your network, it helps develop soft skills that always come in handy in a work environment.
Stay away from negative people. For the one person who might encourage you, there will be ten others who will tell you that “If I couldn’t achieve it after so many years of stay here, how do you expect to get it? My friend, the reality is that you will face racism/discrimination here, no question!” Indeed, if you go looking, you might find it. Choose instead, to seek those who can guide and motivate you.
Get rid of the baggage. Open your mind to new ideas and possibilities. Starting life in a new country is like being reborn; previous experiences may not necessarily apply. Prejudices are like dead skin and must be shed to emerge renewed and refreshed when beginning a new life.
“Do in Rome as Romans do”. When first learning to play cricket, you had to learn the rules of the game before walking on to the field. You have to play by the rules of Canada, so learn and abide by these.
We are in a position to enjoy the best of both the East and the West. We can teach others the intricacies of cricket while learning about ice hockey and baseball. Sing songs by Faiz, Gulzar and Ghalib while mouthing poetry by Shakespeare, Frost and Angelou. Dance to the bhangra or garba beat and not just swing to the latest rap or hip-hop moves.
Be confident of who you are. If comfortable in your own skin, no props will be needed. Mohamed does not have to become Mo, or Kuldeep turn to Deep. Because most Caucasians find my name difficult to pronounce and remember, when meeting a person for the first time I would urge them to think of a “punk” rocker with coloured, spiky hair and add an “uj” to it to sound “Punkuj”. Ice broken, they would smile and often declare, “Now I will not be able to get you out of my head”.
If a parent, be a friend to the children and help them explore their new environment. Do not push them into conforming to country-of-origin norms and values. Please do not continue to burden them with pronouncements like, “We gave up a great lifestyle ‘back home’ and are now suffering here, only for your sake”.
Start to “belong” and appreciate all that this country provides. Read up on Canadian literature and familiarize yourself with the history of this country.
Equally, learn to give back. But for the acceptance on the part of the indigenous peoples and those who came before us, you and I would not be here.
You can access other posts at www.wealthisnotmoney.com.
• Pankaj Mehra is a well-known former banker with years of experience in serving Canada’s multicultural communities. He is highly regarded as a leader and a mentor for newcomers to Canada. This article is from a post from his popular weekly blog, wealthisnotmoney.com.
• If you’d like to share the story of your arrival in Canada, please write to desinews@rogers.com or call 416-695-4357