Addressing Culture Shock at Okanagan College

International students have a marvellous opportunity to learn another language and way of life and to make friends from around the world.  However, after the initial excitement of arriving in a new country diminishes, feelings of frustration and loneliness may develop for no apparent reason.  This very common, but quite unexpected, phenomenon is known as culture shock.

At British Columbia’s Okanagan College, the Department of International Education assists students to cope with the transition of living and studying in Canada.  At the beginning of each semester, International Education staff provides extensive group orientation sessions for all new international students.  They arrange campus and city tours and discuss a wide range of questions related to homestay and dormitory accommodation, local transportation, immigration, medical insurance and local recreational and cultural opportunities. 

Students enrolled in the College’s highly-effective English for Academic Purposes Program take a Language Assessment Test to determine which of the six levels of ESL study is appropriate.  Education Advisors counsel individual students with selecting a program of study based upon their particular educational and career goals.

Most importantly, Okanagan College provide the unique services of Cultural Liaisons to address the challenges of culture shock. Our Cultural Liaisons are native speakers of Arabic, several Indian dialects, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin and Spanish, and meet with the students in each respective language group as part of the orientation session.  During the first month of study, all new students meet privately with their Cultural Liaison after which further meetings can be arranged.

For further information about the programs and services offered by Okanagan College International Education please visit:  www.okanagan.bc.ca/international.