I am originally from China, and this is my first time in Canada. Before arriving, I felt anxious because it was far from home, and everything seemed completely new to me, even though I had lived in Australia for several years.
However, that unfamiliar feeling didn’t last long. As soon as I arrived in Vancouver, I realized it is a city where many ethnicities blend seamlessly. I found some of the most authentic Asian food here, which made me feel at home. Additionally, the Beedie Full-Time MBA program is highly multicultural, with classmates from over ten different countries. This offers me with the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn about diverse cultures, and observe the merits of people from various backgrounds.
Admittedly, it was difficult for me to follow my classmates in class due to their different accents. Understanding their ways of thinking and approaches was also challenging. Fortunately, thanks to my study group last semester, composed of teammates from five different countries and regions, I was able to adapt to different accents and ask questions when needed. After collaborating with my team for a semester, I now feel more confident in this multicultural environment.
Working with my teammates has helped me better understand my own weaknesses and improve. Some are highly organized and skilled in presentations, while others excel in problem-solving. They have become both my teammates and teachers, especially in creating engaging presentations.
Here are some effective strategies for coping with culture shock in a new environment:
- Leverage your study group: Your group members will come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Maintaining open communication, understanding, and learning from them is the best way to adjust to life in this new country. This not only helps you perform better in class but also equips you with essential skills for the Canadian work environment.
- Participate in various events: Engage in activities offered by the school or the wider Vancouver community. Beedie provides numerous opportunities for MBA students, such as networking events with alumni, hiring fairs, and cultural activities. These events help you connect with professionals and foster friendships with classmates and others within the SFU community. Making more friends and adapting to Canadian society will ease feelings of alienation and homesickness.
- Adjust your mindset: Embrace the cultural differences you observe among your classmates. Instead of trying to persuade others, focus on learning from these differences and appreciate the diversity around you.
By applying these strategies, you can shorten the time it takes to adjust to the new environment, benefit from the experiences of classmates from other countries, and better prepare yourself to work in a multicultural setting.
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About the Author
Emma Tan studied Finance and earned her Master of Finance in Australia. Subsequently, she worked in pharmaceutical listed companies and a pre-IPO company, where she was responsible for information disclosure, managing investor relationships, and assisting with the investment and financing process. Currently, she serves as the Director of Operations at Net Impact and has participated in BC MBA Games.