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Breaking the ice
By Nadya Reis | Sotaque Brasileiro Number 5, Summer 2004
Adapting to a new country is to establish new relationships. Interacting with people is an integral and essential part in everyone's life. Initially the family around us, then school, work, club, the various associations.
Unpleasant as it may be, the process of adaptation in a new country is also quite comprehensive. Good or bad, the country we left behind was all we had and knew. While this experience is common to all, the reaction of each may be radically different.
Some will feel very unhappy, insecure, angry, and with a huge feeling of self-pity. It is as if everything that was happening was unfair and permanent. Acting in this way can be the first installment for the ticket back to country of origin.
Others, in the opposite extreme, will feel so happy with the realization of a dream, and to leave behind things they disliked, that they will not even notice at first how their life changed. Sooner or later they'll be surprised!
Between these two extremes, there are many other attitudes and tones. To deny the radical change does not seem very reasonable. Nor to feel victim to it - the choice is yours. Without doubt, it is best to draw a plan to monitor the impact that all these changes will cause in your life and manage to survive well in this adaptation phase.
Telephone - Here is the first feature to kill a little nostalgia. But avoid using your normal phone line for long distance – the cell phone, no way! You will be able to speak much more for much less using the phone cards that can be purchased in any convenience store. Each works differently, so it's worth checking the site www.thephonecardstore.ca before choosing the most suitable for you. Some have special rates for certain cities, others have different values for the first minute and thereafter. There are also those that, despite the lower rate, lose a few cents every day even without use.
Do not forget the holidays - there will always be opportunities to return to your country and to reconnect with friends. In the early years it will be just tourism. In the future, having a permanent job, you can also consider the process of sponsorship and bring some of your relatives to live with you.
To learn more about the conditions and requirements for this see www.cic.gc.ca / English / sponsor / index.html.
Now, being here, you will have opportunities to establish contacts with many people through different activities. The work is always a great place to make friends. For those who enjoy it, sports also promote a pleasant interaction with other people - not to mention the many courses available, ranging from the raising chinchillas to being opera extras, where you will meet people with similar interests, however strange they may be .
Also consider the various options for volunteer work. Many institutions offer free preparatory courses after which you will have to sign a compromise for a minimum time of service. Volunteering has been an excellent way to get the Canadian experience and to get to know new areas of interest to you. Check details on the site
www.relocatecanada.com - enter the name of your city and click Volunteer Services. Then select the entity you're interested for more details on the types of jobs offered.
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