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| Monday, 16 November 2009 00:27 | |||||
July 19, 1994 was the day I landed in Canada with my family. I remember it as though it was only yesterday. Arriving here as a teenager, education was my top priority. However, among many other things, I knew I had to live a new life and face new challenges. I knew I had to make new friends, adjust to a new official language and understand a new culture. Awareness and understanding of Canadian culture, in my opinion, is the most common challenge that new immigrants encounter upon arrival. Apart from this, the impact of the experience of living in an entirely different nation with unfamiliar cultural practices and different weather takes its toll on some people. The fact of the matter is that leaving home to reside in another country can be a stressful experience. No matter which country an individual is from, he or she will go through a process called “culture shock.” Integrating into a new culture is not a walk in the park. Some people assimilate into the Canadian culture very quickly but, unfortunately, some take longer to adjust. This period of adjustment can be compared to the four stages of grief (to a certain degree). • First stage (honeymoon stage), everything is all right and exciting. • Second stage (shock stage) occurs when the person feels as though there are so many differences in the new country that he or she has difficulty coping. This experience could also lead to serious adjustment issues. • Third stage (negotiation), the stage when the individual learns to deal with the issues and differences and tries to integrate them with his or her own beliefs. • The fourth and final stage (acceptance), when the individual learns to live well with the differences in the new environment. Culture shock occurs in the workplace as well, whether it is prevalent or not. Being exposed to a different work culture in the Philippines or any other country could result to anxiety as newcomers assimilate into a new culture in Canada. According to the Canadian HR Reporter, culture shock can be described as the following: • An employee experiencing culture shock can be distressed and go through withdrawal from an unpleasant work situation. General symptoms include depression, fatigue, anxiety, confusion and feelings of inadequacy and lack of confidence. • Withdrawal symptoms may include avoiding contact with Canadians. An employee may exhibit a short attention span, decreased productivity and inability to work effectively. At this stage, a newcomer would say to himself or herself that coming to Canada was a mistake and that they would like to go home. • A newcomer may also demonstrate aggressive symptoms such as compulsive eating, drinking, irritability and hostility towards co- workers and at times, verbal and physical aggressiveness. Aside from the above, a common occurrence I see in the workplace is taking things personally at work. Ever heard of the famous Filipino saying, “Walang personalan, trabaho lang.” [Nothing personal, it’s just work.]? Canadians, by nature are outspoken and prefer to talk about problems out in the open, which is the complete opposite of our culture. In times of conflict or when receiving feedback, it is best to accept it as part of learning. When someone at work criticizes a newcomer at work, it doesn’t mean that it is personal. They are only saying something about a certain behaviour that can be improved or changed for the better. My only advice for newcomers is that it is important to get along with your co-workers, because this will play a role in your success on the job. Take your time to understand your employer’s expectations. Be patient and learn as you go. Culture shock is not at all a negative experience; it is a process of cultural learning. Sources: Michele Majul is an HR Professional with Canada Post Corporation in Prairie Region. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Human Resource Management.
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