New to Canada

If you are new to Canada, welcome to Canada and welcome to Conestoga College! Perhaps you have recently immigrated to Kitchener-Waterloo or surrounding area, have come to Canada as a refugee, or have a study permit as an international student. Whatever your unique situation and your program of study, Conestoga wants you to feel welcome and we hope you find success here.

Newcomers to Canada often experience several transitions in getting used to a new country. Becoming familiar with Canadian culture and understanding academic expectations in a new country takes time. Challenges may include learning English as a second language, making friends and finding a community of support, learning and adapting to Canadian customs, learning study strategies for academic success, and finding employment to meet your financial needs. Your age, personality, life experience, family situation, and the similarities between Canada and your country of origin can all influence these factors. Newcomers talk about the excitement of moving to a new country but also the very real feelings of adjustment, sadness and homesickness, alienation, and a loss of identity associated with the acculturation process.

If you are new to Canada and find yourself experiencing some of these challenges and difficulties, support is available. Make an appointment in Counselling Services1A101, to have an opportunity to talk about your situation and receive free, voluntary, and confidential support. A counsellor can assist by listening to your situation, helping you to identify your barriers, brainstorming strategies that will work for you, and linking you with community resources as necessary. There are many community supports available for newcomers to Canada which may be beneficial to you. These include:

On Campus:

• New to Canada information
• New to Canada language programs
• CSI Clubs

Off Campus:

• The Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, 102 King St. West, Kitchener, www.kwmc.on.ca/ has many services for new Canadians and can help you get started in a new country.
• The Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support, 58 Queen St. South, Kitchener, 2nd floor, www.waterlooregion.org/connectkw/sites/mennonite_coalition.html provides support to “claimant refugees” or people who make a refugee claim after arriving in Canada.
• Reception Centre, 101 David St., Kitchener, www.kwrcentre.ca provides supports for government sponsored refugees.
• The Working Centre, 58 Queen St. South, Kitchener, www.theworkingcentre.org/ provides help with resumes, employment counselling, accommodations, social activities, music nights, "Speak English Cafe," etc.
• YMCA Cross-Cultural Services and Community Services, 800 King St. West, 3rd Floor, Kitchener, www.kwymca.org/Contribute/immigrant/immigrant.asp helps newcomers with employment support, settlement, language assessment, social connections, etc.
• WRIEN - Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network, 80 Queen St. North, Kitchener, www.wrien.com provides new Canadians with employment connections.
• "A Guide to Community Resources for Refugees, Immigrants and Other Newcomers to Kitchener-Waterloo" can be found at www.settlement.org/sys/regions_detail.asp?doc_id=1002765 and provides comprehensive information on community resources.