My Impression of Canada

What comes to people's mind when they think of Canada? Before I went to Canada as an exchange student, my thoughts of about this part of the world were clear and factual. I thought about the world's second largest territory, the red maple leaf in the national flag, the national animal beaver, and the exciting ice hockey team the Canucks. However, this list is only the tip of the iceberg that defines what Canada is, to be more exact, it defines only the surface of the cultural iceberg.

The steam clock in Gastown

As one of the world's immigrant countries, Canada is undoubtedly a multi-cultural country. According to a 2006 Census, one in every five Canadians is an immigrant, and the number keeps growing annually. This not only adds allure to the cultural diversity, but also cultivates a more tolerant environment for people from all around the world. One can easily find a foreign cuisine or pub in the street: Chinese food, Japanese Sushi, Korean BBQ, Thai food, and Irish pubs, to name a few. To be honest, during my first two months in Vancouver, I have eaten more Japanese food than I did when I was in China. Moreover, it is commonplace to hear people on the street or on the bus shifting between different languages very quickly as almost everyone there masters two languages. The world has already become a global village, but I believe there is nowhere in the world where this be more conspicuous than in Canada. A Turkish friend in my writing class shared with me about her practice of Muslim fasting (an ancient and universal practice during holy Ramadan, a month of Islam). A Korean friend in my host family told me about her same age male classmates who is preparing to go into the army as it is compulsory in Korea. My host family from Sri Lanka cooks hot curry as the typical customary diet for me. I never expected that I would experience other foreign cultures besides the Canadian one in Canada. Everyday here never fails to thrill me.

My Sri Lanka host family and Korean students

Waiting line in front of the bus station, the "Thank you" of each passenger when getting off the bus, the rainbow flag outside some people's balcony, the wheelchair accessible facility found almost everywhere are indeed impressive and heart warming. There are more things waiting for me to explore and discover and I wish my Canada journey was moving more slowly than it is. 

This stands original

Pictures: Michelle Wang