A Passage to Canada

A Passage to Canada

By Lee Hyon-soo

                                                              

Canada is one of G7 countries. Its citizens live in an enviable socioeconomic environment thanks to their high per capita income, adequate social security and an excellent public health plan. Canada is also known for clean cities, safe streets, and the absence of racial tension, among other things.

 

Canada is a country of immigrants - a mosaic made up of people from all over the world. As its birth rate is low, Canada takes in new immigrants year after year to keep its population from dwindling and to sustain economic growth.

 

It is little wonder then that Canada is a favorite destination for Koreans who want to try their luck abroad. However, it is one thing to acquire the right of abode but quite another to thrive in Canadian society. I would like to touch on the challenges that new Korean immigrants face in Canada.

 

As I see it, there are at least three major stumbling blocks that Korean immigrants have to cope with in Canada. They are the language barrier, culture shock, and limited employment opportunities. Let me elaborate.          

 

First, the language barrier. Many Koreans come to Canada with the illusion that they will be able to pick up English – or French in Quebec - very quickly. However, this does not prove to be the case. Those who come to Canada unprepared in terms of language are bound to pay a high price. Unless they manage to acquire an adequate command of English – or French in Quebec - they are likely to end up living as second-class citizens on the fringes of Canadian society.

 

Second, culture shock. Webster’s Dictionary defines culture shock as "the traumatic effect of disorientation caused by a major change in milieu experienced by new inhabitants." Brought up in a Confucian society, Koreans invariably feel a profound culture shock upon arriving in Canada. Some Korean traditional values and customs conflict with Canadian ones. Take humility for instance. It seems that humility is not appreciated in Canada as much as in Korea. If you are too humble, other people will walk all over you. So you need to be assertive rather than humble. You also should learn to be politically correct in Canada, given that the concept of political correctness has not yet caught on in Korea. Indeed it is necessary for new Korean immigrants to reorient themselves to adopt Canadian ways of thinking and behavior so that they may not suffer any disadvantages in Canadian society.          

 

Last but not least, limited employment opportunities. Canadian newspapers usually carry numerous help-wanted advertisements. The problem is that many Korean immigrants cannot land jobs for which they are qualified by way of education or training. Except in a few technical areas, Canadian firms generally do not hire people who have no Canadian work experience. As a consequence, many Koreans grudgingly settle for menial jobs or become self-employed. However, the unavailability of suitable jobs turns out to be a blessing in disguise for those who, by going the self-employment route, discover their hidden business acumen and manage to achieve financial independence faster than would otherwise be possible.          

 

In closing, I would like to make it clear that it is not my intention to scare off prospective Korean immigrants. I just want to alert them to the challenges that they will face in Canada. If they meet the challenges head-on and work hard, they will likely succeed in Canada as have many Koreans before them. While everything is not rosy on this side of the Pacific, Canada is nevertheless a land of opportunities for adventurous and strong-willed men and women and it certainly has room for a lot more Koreans.

 

The Korea  Times

July 2015