Breaking barriers
Three months of experience in Canada
taught me one most important thing: "No
question is a silly question." The new international
students face several barriers. Our
biggest challenge is our accent. Canada is a
place of varied cultures and people come
from different parts of the world. For some,
English is their first language; for some, it is
not.
Many international students come from Asian countries like China, India and Pakistan, others come from African countries and from many more places around the world. Many come from developing countries where technology is not that advanced and the education system is not the same as it was back home, so students are often shy to ask questions considering that could have made them considered a fool in their home country.
Newcomers feel it's hard to make new friends. They often hang out with people from their own home countries. Shyness is a major hindrance for an international student, which prevents them to actively participate in Canadian social life.
I had the same feeling when I came over here. Though I was good at speaking English, the dialect here is much different. I never dared to stop the professors and ask them to repeat what they had said. I was hesitant and afraid. But since then I have learned that our views and questions are given full respect. Our problems are taken care of in a serious manner. So what students need to build up is the courage to throw off their hesitance and ask the question.
The motive of this article is to educate students who are already here and still facing problems or who have just arrived. Walk through the campus and ask for support and advice, and ease yourself with the Canadian cultural and educational system. Recognize the cultural differences and modify your behaviour to live comfortably. Do not be in cultural shock. Give respect to your culture and also to the country you have come to.
Pankaj Sharma, an Indian student, said, "Volunteer in various activities as much as you can. You will feel lonely at first, but don't let that affect you."
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Many international students come from Asian countries like China, India and Pakistan, others come from African countries and from many more places around the world. Many come from developing countries where technology is not that advanced and the education system is not the same as it was back home, so students are often shy to ask questions considering that could have made them considered a fool in their home country.
Newcomers feel it's hard to make new friends. They often hang out with people from their own home countries. Shyness is a major hindrance for an international student, which prevents them to actively participate in Canadian social life.
I had the same feeling when I came over here. Though I was good at speaking English, the dialect here is much different. I never dared to stop the professors and ask them to repeat what they had said. I was hesitant and afraid. But since then I have learned that our views and questions are given full respect. Our problems are taken care of in a serious manner. So what students need to build up is the courage to throw off their hesitance and ask the question.
The motive of this article is to educate students who are already here and still facing problems or who have just arrived. Walk through the campus and ask for support and advice, and ease yourself with the Canadian cultural and educational system. Recognize the cultural differences and modify your behaviour to live comfortably. Do not be in cultural shock. Give respect to your culture and also to the country you have come to.
Pankaj Sharma, an Indian student, said, "Volunteer in various activities as much as you can. You will feel lonely at first, but don't let that affect you."
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
