Crisis on immigration?

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When you start to settle down, after a process of immigration, it will be very likely that you find yourself in the middle of some sort of crisis. Not just that I’ve heard stories, but I also have lived some of them myself. I’m talking about all types of crisis: financial crisis, relationship crisis, even identity crisis. I would dare to say that being an immigrant is, actually, living in a constant “crisis feel”.

There is one type of crisis, though, that I want to talk about. It’s the cultural crisis. We, immigrants, arrive in the new country, my case is Canada, and we are full of hope. Hope to get a job soon, hope to learn English quick, hope to adapt. But we never adapt completely. That’s the truth. According to the online dictionary, adapt means “change to meet requirements”, or “adjust to something”. How many times I’ve run to the Portuguese market at Williams to buy Brazilian brands of food that I like to cook! How many times I asked someone to play Brazilian music because is the one that I like the most? I miss the things that make home “home”. And I can’t change because that’s who I am. So, I’m not adapted because I haven’t changed. I’m still the Brazilian person who arrived two years ago. I’ve learned how to cook with the ingredients that I find at any Canadian grocery store. I still look, however, for the Brazilian taste on all foods. So, yes, I’m used to the new flavours. But I miss a lot the familiarity with everything.

I was exaggerating when I said that I’m not adapted.  Actually, I’ve been learning with my experience of being an immigrant that adaptation is the willingness to make it work, whatever the case is.

And this is something that we, immigrants are full of.

How important is to know English before coming to Canada as an immigrant

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Language has many functions on our lives. Have you ever thought about it? I did. Especially when, some years ago, I was in London, England, without knowing a word in English.

I had to find a job to support myself. And that was the hard part: find a job where I didn’t have to communicate in English. Eventually I found one. I was my cousin’s nanny. And his mother wanted somebody who could speak Portuguese to him. So, it was a perfect fit to me. But it was a part-time job and I needed more. So I found another job. I was a cleaner to a big house and I had to clean it in four hours. Oh boy, that was hard!

At that point I started to “remember” my education and how many efforts I have made to get it. I had a degree on Social Communication and a diploma on Teaching. I started to ask myself what was I doing there. I had to find better jobs. By the way, I have nothing, nothing at all, against baby-sitting or cleaning houses. I just knew I could do better money using what I had learned.

As I was a teacher, I started to look for jobs as a Portuguese teacher, which is possible in London. And again, I found new jobs, but I was working just a few hours and, again, I was not doing enough money.

By the time, I didn’t have money to invest in education and I was literally stacked.

To simplify this story, I ended up going back to Brazil, for many reasons, the main one being the lack of visa possibilities.

So, my conclusion, from my own experience – and that could not be everyone’s truth – is that YES, is better if you can come to Canada (or any other country) being able to communicate in the language.

I am not saying that it is impossible coming to Canada not knowing English. Actually, it is. And I absolutely know that people find jobs even if they don’t speak English well. What is in the table here is how much you are willing to tolerate. Not being able to communicate affects your self-esteem. Affects your ability to sort things out. Affects your belief in who you are.

Language is an important part of one’s culture. It is a vital tool that allows us to learn and to interact with people. We use language to ask questions, to demonstrate how we feel and what we need, to make sense of our experiences.

When you are in a different country and you cannot communicate effectively, you may experience some frustration, maybe a lot of frustration. And you must be ready for that. I have been there and I can tell you that it hurts a lot not being able to deliver properly a message. You feel incapable. You feel vulnerable. So it really depends on how you will look at this situation. You must be aware that you will be going through that.

Do not give up

Learning a new language is something beautiful. Is something meaningful that will enhance your own skills. You will be a better person after that process. You will be better prepared and aware of differences and diversity. You will be able to communicate even better in your own language. It will improve your employment potential and certainly it will help you make lifelong friends. Learning a second language in loco is even better. Is quicker and you will learn the culture along with that language. Take advantage on that and ask questions.

And never, ever give up. Do not feel ashamed! Do not feel diminished. You are doing something that not everyone is up to do. So, take proud of yourself. Just be aware that it will take sometime to learn and you definitely deserve that time.

THE PROS AND CONS OF MIGRATION

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Human migration is not a new movement happening in the world. It goes back to the early humans as a way of survival, looking for food and better resources to live. And has never stopped since then.

Many developed countries experience a big flow of immigration. And this is a complex subject as it has its pros and its cons.

For some people immigration is an issue, causing fear, uncertainty and anxiety. To others, immigration is actually, an economic solution and an integrated way to live with no barriers.

Even though I am an immigrant here in Canada, who came from Brazil, I can see some of the negative impacts that immigration can possibly bring to some countries. Issues such as pressure on public services (health, education, welfare etc.), increase of unemployment for local people, decrease of wages, risk of loosing the national identity and language, cultural differences and adjustments, can be just a few of the negative effects of immigration.

And similarly because I am an immigrant coming from a country essentially shaped by immigrants (Brazil was mainly colonized by Europeans and Africans) I can observe the pros of immigration. Economic growth can be sustained, population growth is also maintained, services to elderly can be offered (when there are no sufficient people locally). Immigrants bring diversity and innovation, which creates new experiences and enrich the local culture by adding new food, art, and creativity just to mention a few.

Immigration is a vast topic that has to be planned and controlled by each country, in order to bring the best for both: the host country and the immigrant. Laws and regulations have to secure immigrants’ rights. The host country has to offer a settlement infrastructure to guarantee that the immigrant will adapt. The only thing that has to be out of this topic is bias.

Volunteering can help the world to be a better place

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 The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) is a non-profit organization proving that volunteering can make a difference in the world.

I recently met Rima, a 35-year-old Syrian refugee living in Winnipeg. She has been here for four months and she doesn’t speak English. Rima has six children between two and 13 years old. The oldest helps to care for his siblings. They all are starting help Rima with her English. They are energetic and caring children who are smiling as never according to Rima.

Rima’s husband is Adnan. He was a doctor back in his country, but because he doesn’t speak English, he now works as a cleaner at a grocery store.

This family came from a refugee camp where Syrians are living in inhumane conditions. The war in Syria has displaced half of the country’s population. An estimate of 11 million people have been killed or forced from their homes. Rima and Adnan’s family is just one of them.

Children playing at a refugee camp. Image source.

Rima remembers the wonderful days before the war. She also recalls the horrifying days at the camp. No water, no food, no clothing. These children have left all behind: their toys, their house and their friends. 

Rima doesn’t like to tell her story. It is too painful for her to remember. She prefers to talk about her children’s future in this city. “They are safe. They are in school, they have water, fruits and proper clothes. I cannot ask for anything else,” said Rima.

Our conversation was translated with the help of a volunteer from IRCOM. Without their help Rima wouldn’t be able to find school, or a place to stay. IRCOM accepts volunteers and donations.

Definitely the world needs more people helping other people.