Alert - CIC Strike Action!!

           The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) union is currently taking strike action. PAFSO union members responsible for processing visa applications have been walking out of offices in Canada and overseas.

           Posted processing times for both temporary and permanent resident visa applications do not take into account work stoppages.

           Anyone applying for a visa should anticipate delays and submit their application as far in advance as possible!

           Contingency plans are already in place to ensure all offices remain open and are providing at least a minimum level of service. Priority will be placed on urgent humanitarian applications.

           CIC continues to closely monitor the situation.

Who:      Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO),    Canada's Foreign Service Officer union.

What:      PAFSO is announcing the withdrawal of services in posts in key international locations and at Headquarters in Ottawa.

Where:   London (immigration section)
               Buenos Aires
               Santiago
               International Economic Relations & Summits Division (HQ)
               Treaty Law Division (HQ)
               North America Bureau (HQ)
               North America Policy & Relations Division (HQ)
               Director General for Africa (HQ)
               Eastern & Southern Africa Relations Division (HQ)

When:     Effective immediately

Why:      The primary issue at hand is PAFSO's request for equal pay for equal work. Specifically, the union is seeking wage adjustments to keep Foreign Service Officer pay in line with comparable occupational groups. "We will continue rotating withdrawals of service at key missions abroad and units at headquarters until Treasury Board returns to the negotiating table for a substantive and genuine discussion on addressing the pay inequities to which Canadian diplomats are subjected." (Tim Edwards, President, PAFSO.)


SOURCE: Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO)

How To Make Friends

This video shows you how to meet some new peeps or friends in university, that is some of which you'll have for the rest of your life. Hope it will help you :)

Helpful social skills for international students

            


         As social psychologist Richard Brislin observes, people in an individualist society (North America) need some “social skills” that are less important in collectivist societies (China). People everywhere can use social skills, of course, but the kinds of situations they encounter and the skills they need may vary.

         Social skills that will help international students in the North America include the following:

• ATTENDING TO PERSONAL HYGIENE
  
  
          Many students from other countries are struck by the Americans’ strong sensitivity to body and breath odors. Americans may quickly back away from a person who has "body odor" or "bad breath," and they are likely to try to avoid that person in the future.
          If you want to avoid these negative reactions from Americans, you may want to consider:
  • brushing your teeth two or more times daily
  • changing your clothes each day
  • taking a shower in the morning before going to school
  • taking a shower in the evening if you plan to be in public

              An especially sensitive topic among Americans is women’s body hair. Most North American women shave the hair in their armpits and on their lower legs. Many Americans react negatively to the sight of a woman with unshaved armpits and legs. Women from countries where shaving is not the custom face a very personal decision about whether to follow the North American custom.

• MEETING PEOPLE

          North Americans have typical ways of finding people to talk with and perhaps develop relationships with. Chinese students can use these same approaches.

          You cannot meet new people or develop a social life if you spend all your time in your room, the library or laboratory, and classrooms. You need to get yourself into situations where interacting with new people is a natural thing to do.

          Attend social activities such as receptions, parties, picnics, and open houses, where people go with the intention of socializing. 

          Attend public events such as lectures and performances, where you can talk with other people who share your interest in being there.

          Join an organization based on some interest of yours—academic, avocational (that is, related to a hobby such as photography or dancing), sport, service, or any other. Take an active part in the organization. Be on a committee; help plan an event; do things to enlarge your chance to be around other people.

          Volunteer at a campus or community organization that uses volunteers to carry out its activities. The local public library can be a good place to start, either to volunteer there or to get information about other possibilities in your location.

           Find a mentor, someone who will agree to spend some time with you regularly, sharing activities, talking with you, answering your questions.

           Once you find people to talk with, you will need to be able to introduce yourself to a stranger and have some conversation topics ready. Introducing yourself normally involves looking the other person in the eye at least briefly, smiling, and saying something like, “Hello. My name is XXX. I am YYY.” For example: “Hello. My name is Zongxuan. I am a commerce student.” Or, more informally, “Hi. I’m Bill Clinton. I’m a retired president.”

            If you are a male meeting another male, you should shake hands with the person. Females may or may not shake hands, based on their preferences. If a female offers her hand to shake, you should shake it. Generally, North Americans regard a “firm handshake” as a sign of sincerity and a “weak handshake” as a sign of a weak personality.

            Usually, Chinese names are hard for North Americans to pronounce. When it happens, be ready to help them. “It’s pronounced like ‘Xuan.’” Or, “You can call me ‘Claire.’” Many Chinese students use English-language names so that Americans can remember them and pronounce them more easily.

            Once you have given your name and heard the other person’s name, you need to have some conversation topics ready. You can use one of your prepared topics, or you can simply follow up on what the person you just met says about himself or herself.

•    MANAGING CONVERSATIONS

            Once you have located someone to talk to, you need the skills for what linguists call "conversation management." These include the abilities to start a conversation, continue a conversation, and end a conversation.

            One common way to start a conversation is to ask a question based on what the person has told you about himself or herself. For example, ask Bob if he has taken any interesting trips lately. You can also use one of the common American “small talk” topics--the weather, whatever it was you had in common that brought you to the place where you are talking, or some current event. You can ask about one of your prepared topics. Or you can say something like, "I am new here and am not sure what to talk about in a situation like this. What would be a good thing to talk about now?"

             Be aware that North Americans do not have the idea in traditional Chinese culture, that it is impolite to ask too many questions when two people meet for the first time. On the contrary, Americans and Canadians consider it natural and appropriate to ask and answer questions when they meet a new person. In their minds they are not being rude; instead, they are showing their interests. The new person, to show interest, is expected to ask questions too.

             Probably the easiest way to continue a conversation is to ask the other person questions based on what you have learned about him or her, or on something he or she has just said. Of course you can add your own opinions or information.

             To end a conversation, you can offer some reason for closing the conversation. For example, "I want to get some more to eat." "I need to meet a friend now." "I see someone over there I have been looking for." Then express a common phrase for conversation-ending, such as "I enjoyed talking with you." Shake hands again if you shook hands when you first met, and then walk away.

• DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS

                 In my experiences, North Americans are usually cautious about getting into close relationships with other people, including other North Americans. They value independence, privacy, and self-reliance. They generally do not want to become dependent on other people or have other people dependent on them. This contrasts noticeably with the Chinese orientation, in which interdependence with other people is generally considered necessary and desirable.

                 In principle, developing an intercultural relationship requires sensitivity to a number of factors, including:

1. the reasons people are seeking relationships in the first place
2. what it is that draws people toward each other
3. the pace at which relationships can comfortably develop
4. the steps or phases in relationship-development, that is, what people do and talk about as their relationship becomes closer
5. the limitations people put on the extent of their involvement in other peoples’ lives

• SOCIAL DON'T

                 North Americans will generally tolerate a fairly wide range of behaviors, but there are certain things anyone dealing with North Americans will want to avoid.

                 Do not ask about personal financial matters such as the cost of something a person bought or the amount of a person’s income. Chinese may readily discuss these matters, but Americans regard them as intensely private.

                 Do not ask other people, particularly women, how old they are or how much they weigh.

                 Do not argue too vigorously (with raised voice and conspicuous gesturing), or North Americans will assume you are too opinionated, are unable to “control yourself,” or might become violent.

                Do not accept an invitation to go to someone’s house and then not go. If you genuinely cannot or do not wish to go to a home to which you have been invited, say “no, thank you” to the invitation. Do not say “yes” and then fail to appear. Nor should you take a friend with you unless the friend has also been invited. When you receive an invitation, you can ask, “May I bring a friend?”

                Take care not to emit strong body or breath odors. Once, my Canadian friends "put off” by the smells of garlic and cooking oil that surrounded me. And asked me what did I eat for lunch. So we need to often follow bathing, tooth-brushing, and laundry habits that will minimize these odors.

Canadian Study Permits for Students

As we are international students, we need to acquire our study permits before arrive in Canada. So here is the video about how to apply for it step by step. Hope it will benefit you!

Coping With Culture Shock

Going to live abroad is an exciting experience that requires preparation.I am not talking about technical issues such as how many pairs of shoes you should bring with you. I am talking about the big preparation, the one that is essential to making your experience rich and positive. Before you go, get prepared to experience culture shock.

Some of you may say "Culture shock? Not for me. Where I'm going is only an hour's flight from home."

It is true that the degree of difference in one's host culture is important, but this is not the only variable. And let's not forget that the concept of culture can also be used for an organization,  a company or an institution. As a result, even a simple reorganization may generate culture shock.

So, what is culture shock? Well, it's a mix of emotions. Feelings of loss, confusion, stress, anxiety and impotence that comes from both the challenge of new cultural surroundings and from the loss of a familiar cultural environment.

In my experience, culture shock can be divided into four stages:

1. The Honeymoon

"Oh, this is wonderful. Let's go there. Amaaazing!"  I was so excited in my first month because everything seemed really different from China. You maybe same with me. You are obviously excited and have an idealised view of the new culture. Anxiety and stress may be present but your general euphoria overtakes them.

Jim Li, is my friend who is a master student in Columbia University . He remembers that when he arrived in New York he was curious about everything, from food to museums. "I actually didn't feel any sense of belonging. To me it was more like watching a beautiful movie without being part of it."

2. The Crisis Phase

"I am tired. No one understands me. I want to go home!" This is my true feeling after my honeymoon phase.I believe most international students would say something just before you kick the closet with your bare foot. Reality is back.

This phase occurs anywhere from the first two weeks to several months. Some of these differences you found so "amaaazing" in the first place, start to really get on your nerves. For me, I was struggling to make myself understood by locals, I felt like a child; confused and tired.

3. The Adjustment Phase

"I am still here. Well done!" I said to myself.  Understanding, acceptance and adaptation is key now. In this phase we will start to face new challenges in a positive way.

We will finally understand the new culture is different, accept it as it is and start to adapt your values, personality and behaviour to the host culture.

4. The Resolution Phase

"This is home guys!" In the final phase, we have developed our routine and the efforts we put in place in the previous stage are now imperceptible. We are stable emotionally and we feel comfortable.

Sarah O is currently studying a master's degree in Canada. She just arrived in Montreal three months ago and already feels like she's in the resolution phase. "I've learned new behaviors that are now automatic reflexes, like waste recycling. I am also now more curious about the country's politics and the way institutions work."

Coping with Culture Shock

First of all, congratulations! You've just passed the first step that leads to the resolution. Indeed, now you know more about culture shock, you will be able to identify it when it happens.

If you feel tired, if you are emotionally sensitive, if you are critical of the culture, if you want to go home, then you will know it is a normal reaction and you should not give up. Just understand, accept and adapt! 

From my experience, I here want to give international students some more tips.

• Before you go, read some books about the place where you will be staying. This will help you develop more realistic expectations and will involve you even more in the project.
   
• Cover your basic needs and ensure your security is met. Choose a safe area to live in, ensure your budget is under control, bring any medication you may need with you, as well as your earplugs if you are sensitive to noise.
   
• You can also create a sense of safety by bringing familiar items with you. I brought some pictures of my friends and family - as well as my teddy bear! It actually helped me feel at home at the beginning of my stay.
   
• Keep in touch with home by using Facetime, Skype, telephone and message - you are spoiled for choice! It may be difficult sometimes to keep a relationship going only by email, so do pick up your phone from time to time, it really makes the difference.
   
• In times of instability, a feeling for your own culture when abroad is always comforting - speaking your own language, eating typical food, reading online newspaper from home. But be careful not to overdo these tricks, as they can be a way of resisting the change. I think we should try to tackle the language barrier as early as possible. It might be difficult at the beginning, but it is rewarding.
   
• Maintain a network of people you love, you trust and who will give you confidence when you feel unsettled. As I am a fan of cinema, so I joined a club. This is generally a good way for me to meet local people in a relaxed atmosphere. However, if you are not a fan of anything in particular, then I recommend you to try something new and something local. For example, you can try to play hokey if you are a man or at least watch a hokey game if you don't like sport. And don't forget volunteering opportunities in your universities, which can be a great way to feel part of a local community.

Now I believe you should be more equipped to face culture shock if it happens. Indeed, some people don't feel it at all, others feel it strongly. The intensity of culture shock depends on so many factors that you can't really generalize. But at least you are aware of it, and you'll know you're not the only one feeling this way!

Finally, make the most of this unique experience and wherever you are in the world, have fun:)

Cultural Shock in Canada

We all should view this video from a "Take It Easy" view of cultural shock! Just have fun:)

Will I Have " Culture Shock" ?

Will I Have “Culture Shock?”

            Yes! Whether we want to admit it or not, anyone who moves to a place where people’s language, behavior, ideas, and ways of thinking are different will experience some degree of “culture shock.”

            Just as me, the first two weeks were a kind of a honeymoon for me to be pleasantly surprised here and there. I could find new staffs or fantastic restaurants every day, However, studying abroad is not that easy as I expected. The first semester was the hardest. I soon realized how heavy and demanding the courses were with all reading chapters, quizzes, papers and projects. The cafeteria food was totally not my Chinese taste and all my family and friends were so far away. I was also difficult to make Canadian friends because I moved from class to class, and I was so different from my Canadian classmates in cultural background, personal experience. I had no idea about their popular topics and the things that amuse them so much! Although they didn't bother to speak to me, I didn't know how to start a conversation with them. I kept silent and felt very much isolated.That period was quite frustrated to me. 

            I believe many international students had same experience and feelings just like me. So that is called" Culture Shock".

            Culture shock can be understood as a set of feelings a person has when faced with a very new living situation. The feelings include:

• excitement and stimulation
• confusion
• tiredness (sometimes made worse by difficulty sleeping)
• homesickness
• depression (low energy, lack of motivation to do anything)
• anger and hostility toward the local people
• anxiety and sometimes paranoia
• questioning whether they have made a mistake in going to the new country

            Some new students are more affected by these feelings than others. The feelings last longer for some people than for others. Some people feel reasonably comfortable in their new setting within a few weeks; for most people the period is longer—several months, or a year or more.

             Culture shock can also set in after we has been in the new country for a period of time, even years after arrival. For example, One of my friends realized after a long time in Canada that an assumption she had been making about the Canadian was not correct. She then need to reinterpret things she previously thought she understood.

             In my opinion, culture shock is not necessarily a bad thing. It can make you more alert and inquisitive, and give you motivation to learn more about the place you are now living. It can also encourage you to look for new ways of thinking and acting, so you have a better chance of getting what you want. It can make you a more flexible person. Culture shock is not an illness that requires medical treatment. Normally, it passes with time.

              Many of my Chinese friends told me that they had “reverse culture shock” when they return to China. Perhaps without realizing it, they have changed in important ways while in the Canada. In addition, things at home may have changed too. The result is that returning students have to readjust to their own culture and society.

             I think I have been away twice as long as I have been gone. This is my true feeling after I returned back to China last summer. While I have been away from home and changing, the people back home are changing too. They are having experiences I am missing. So, if I have been away and changing for one year, the people back home have been changing for one year also. This means I need to face total two years of changes when I go back home.