"This is going to be like coming to Japan from Vietnam again" - so I told myself.
Starting from this Fall, I will be an exchange student at UBC.
Prior to Canada, I already experienced being a university student in Beppu (Japan) but going to do it all again in this new place (North America). Nonetheless, for the first couple of days, I found myself caught up in these emotions I never felt while in Japan - culture shock
Yes you heard me, I was pretty nonchalant when moving to Japan. I fit in immediately in Japan. But in Vancouver, I felt uneasy and was contantly distorted by the "new girl in town" feelings: from the prosaic sides of life to more complicated issues:
The weather
The weather has got to be on the top of my list. The people don’t just call it "Raincouver" without a reason. IT JUST WOULDN'T STOP. The sky was gray. The clouds crumbled up and broke apart. The droplets kept pouring down. A sad, gloomy Raincouver that went on for weeks that locked me inside and brought all my moods down.
Homesickness
As the excitement of the first few days settled into the lousy weather and tremendous amount of free time I had (school didn't start till a week after), loneliness started kicking in. I started missing the onsen smell down Kannawa area, the familiar faces I encounter every day, and the language - I miss speaking Japanese AND Vietnamese (Chinese and French on the other hand, were widely spoken on the street on Vancouver). This was when the honeymoon stage finally ended and time to roll up my sleeves and actually get some work done.
Getting around
When it comes to getting around the city, knowledge is key. I didn't know anyone and I didn't have any wireless connection, and Vancouver is HUGE. The only way was to googled the location in advance, cross my fingers and get on the 99 bus on campus. On other days I would just wander around campus.
The more prepared you are, the less you'll get lost.
Encountering diversity (wasn't a big issue. but still.....)
I already took Diversity101 at APU, but UBC was another teritory. It goes without saying that every culture is different and UBC is the hub for diversity. I have gotten the chance to meet more people from Mainland Canada, South America, Europe, Africa, and many more. I met them from globally oriented activities, clubs, orientations, and parties - lots of parties. They are great platforms to get myself out there and indulge in different stories with new people everyday. I don't click with people immediately, but those conversations always explose me to different cultures, allowing me to reflect on my identity and understand it more.
Culture shocks (an ever-going story)
Parties. Hook-up culture. Learning by doing. Reciprocity. The list goes on.
It's a learning process, and I am experiencing it, one incident at a time.
It's only been a few weeks here at UBC, and many more are coming. Unlike full-time students, I have an expiry date. But until then, I look forward to the many adventures ahead. And if this is your first time in Canada like me, keep an open mind, stay curious, and be ready!