Navigating Culture Shock: 6 Tips for International Students Moving to Canada
Because homesickness doesn’t disappear with daily Whatsapp calls home.
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So you’ve got your acceptance letter to a Canadian university and you’re now preparing for the big move? The days before your trip are a blur—last-minute shopping, farewell meets with friends and colleagues, pack, make a list of documents you’ll need to keep handy for the border officials.
In all the bittersweet chaos of the moment, you would be forgiven for not thinking about what you need to adapt to a different culture, lifestyle, and to a lesser extent, the weather. So you give your family one final hug at the boarding gates, board the plane, sleep halfway through the flight, land in Canada, and get through the first couple of months.
Then one day you’re suddenly struck by this overwhelming feeling of fatigue, homesickness, and anxiety. For the first time in a few weeks, you actually stop to take a proper look at yourself in the mirror and you don’t like the person who glares back at you.
That’s culture shock, and it hits even the most prepared international students. Not everyone manifests the physical symptoms, which are your body’s response to the psychological stress of adapting to a new cultural environment.
But if you take some time to take stock of your life in all the racing around to get settled into school and life, you’ll notice the persistent tiredness or unexplained back ache. The change in appetite. The cold that won’t go away.
To help you manage the settling in process better, we’ve got a couple of tips from fellow international students.
1. Embrace Diversity
In major Canadian cities like Toronto, nearly half the population was born outside Canada, 46.6% if you are a data nerd. Which means you’ll study alongside people from dozens of countries, each bringing their unique perspective to the classroom.
Take this as an opportunity to learn about different cultures. Attend a Diwali celebration. Check out the Caribbean festivals. Try out Jamaican patties. Be open to friends with a different outlook at life. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll grow academically and personally.
2. Take Advantage of the University Support Services
Canadian universities often offer tailored support for international students, including orientation programs, academic advice, mental health services, and cultural integration clubs. Adapting to academic expectations, job hunting tips, the international student desks can help you with almost anything.
If you ever feel lost, overwhelmed, or homesick, reach out. Canadians are known for their friendliness. These resources only work if you use them.
3. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone (But Dress for the Weather)
You’ll need to push past the familiar if you want to experience Canada to the fullest. Try everything. Long hikes while you worry about the bears, ice skating, skiing, or going to cheer for the local hockey team, try it all. Stepping out of your comfort zone helps you integrate faster.
Just remember that the Canadian weather demands respect, especially in winter.
“When I arrived in Canada, I brought two of everything- two jackets, two gloves, two hats. But in all my planning, I forgot to get boots. Somehow, it didn’t cross my mind. All I had were my sneakers when I went to the bank to get my student line of credit. There was snow everywhere and it was slippery. I slipped and fell twice before I made my way into the Uber that was to take me to the bank. I slipped and fell again when I got down from the Uber to head into the bank. It was a rough introduction,” says Tunji from Lagos, Nigeria (now in British Columbia)
4. Build Meaningful Connections
Homesickness doesn’t disappear with daily Whatsapp calls home. It only gets worse. And here’s the bummer, it never really goes away. However, making new friends makes the ache easier to bear.
Look beyond obvious social circles and classrooms. Join a community sports league, volunteer at local organizations, or find groups centered around your interests—whether that's board games, hiking, or film. Some of your most important relationships will form in unexpected places. Stay connected with family and friends back home but also embrace your new community.
5. Prioritize Your Mental and Physical Well-being
Culture shock can take a toll on your well-being. Your brain is constantly processing new information, translating languages (even if you speak English, Canadian expressions and slang require mental work), and navigating unfamiliar systems. This cognitive load depletes your energy in ways you might not recognize.
Combat this by establishing simple routines that give your brain predictability, making time for physical activity, finding familiar comfort foods, and accepting that perfect grades might temporarily be impossible while you adjust. Canadian universities take mental health seriously—use those resources before you're in crisis.
6. Prepare for Everyday Cultural Differences
The most jarring aspects of moving to Canada aren't the big differences, it's the hundred tiny daily interactions that don't follow your home country's unspoken rules. Such as:
Self-checkout is the norm: Be ready to be your own cashier and bag your own groceries when you go shopping. “I was used to cashiers asking ‘cash or card,’ but in Canada, I just tap my phone and go,” says Mercy from Anambra state, Nigeria (now in Toronto, Canada)
Enjoy unparalleled freedom: People in Canada generally mind their own business. You can dance in public, be affectionate, or create content in the streets without judgment. I must say this freedom can feel both liberating and unsettlingly anonymous. “Back home, I’d take out my phone for a picture, and someone would tell me it’s not allowed. In Canada, no one cares. It took me a while to embrace that freedom,” says Nancy from Abuja, Nigeria (now in Calgary, Alberta)
Want to Study in Canada?
Studendly has helped over 1,000 students secure admission to their school of choice, and 95% of them have successfully obtained their study permit and moved to Canada. Whether you’re just looking for admission at a DLI approved school or need the full package of admission and study permit support, we’ve got you covered! Studendly has partnered with over 45 universities and colleges to provide the right support for international students ready to study and thrive in Canada.
Fill out this form to get started: Get Admission in Canada
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