Hi Everyone,
I'm happy to tell you that I'm already here in Canada after the long journey from China, and everything here seems to be going very well for me. I'd like to thank all the members who kept asking about my journey during my absence for the nice comments and notes. There's nothing better than receiving messages from MyEC friends. It was all the kind greetings that cheered me on and made me survive the first few days here in another country far from mine. I'm sorry for the dalay in reply and for missing all the newly posted blogs, but, MyEC's been undergoing some changes and the new look looks very strange in my old version of IE. I thought it would be OK in a few days or so, but I decided I need a new browser and eventually found the Huohu, which MyEC looks perfect in. Do you like the new look of MyEC? Oh, I'll get to the point and share something with you - I promised, didn't I?
An English learning journey - at the airport and on the plane
While I was on the way to Canada and even before the journey, I was determined to pick up some English and to see if I could communicate with people I met by using English. There were all the signs which were in English at the airports and all the English spoken by the flight attendants. To my surprise, I even failed to understand some of the very simple English expressions. 'Are you sure you don't want anything to drink?' a nice stewardess asked me again. 'Oh sorry, a cup of tea... please.' I replyed. But, I did respond very quickly(maybe the first one) when they let all the passengers to board (I needed to transfer at a couple of different airports) and I got a nice place for my carry-on baggage. I enjoyed the journey so much.
Started to adjust myself to new life here
After the long journey, I need to adjust myself to the new life here. There are still some challenges for me.
First, I need to cook and find all the materials to cook with. Where's the nearest supermarket? Can I get something familiar there? I share a rented house with some other students and doctors from China ,and we share one kitchen. I managed to survive the first few days by living on the cup noodles I carried with me from the airport. Today, however, I tried to get some rice, vegetables, eggs etc and cooked myself a nice lunch, even though I'm still suffering from jet lag.
Second, I need to learn some French. You bet most of the people here would like you to speak French since Montreal is the world's second largest French-speaking city (second only to Paris) - it's amazing there's this beautiful French-speaking city in Canada where most of the people speak English. I'll take the Metro to hospital tomorrow morning and I wonder if I need to use 'billet' (French) or 'ticket' (English) when I enter the Metro station and try to get something like this. But, thankfully, most of the people here can speak both French and English. I just need to make an effort to speak any of them a bit naturally.
Third, last but not least, I need to really learn something at the hospital. A professor at the hosital (a teaching hospital of McGill Unversity, a famous English-speaking university of Canada) has already made a study plan for me. Can the doctors and nurses there understand what I say in kind of Chinglish (Chinese English)? How can I get used to the new working environment and get along with the staff quickly? What if the patient speaks French? I'm somehow not so sure if I'm really a nice person to make friends with. I know I need some confidence and luck. Do you think that could be a problem for me?
It's late at night here where I live now and I need to head for bed. Wish me a nice sleep tonight (you know, the jet lag and my body may probably mistake the night for the morning )!!!
Comments
Dear Expector,
How are you feeling now, did you overcome the jet-lack ?
While reading your long and very nice post, (i love the way you wrote it down) I had a smile on my face, thinking we all have the same worries when we start a new life in a foreign country. I am so surprised you failed to understand what the fly attendant told you, your english is so good that it must be because of the stress you had.
So, did you find all the things you were looking for to cook ? What's on the menu for tonight ? I love chinese cuisine ;
Talking about the language now. Yes, though many people can speak both, french and english, all the Quebec province is officialy a french speaking place. My mother tongue is french, so if you need some help, feel free to ask, i will do my best to answer your questions. By the way, "ticket" and "billet" are both french, so you can use both of them. No doubt you will catch some french very soon.
Hehehe.... Chinglisg, never heard that word before ! Don't worry too much, i have the feeling you will have no troubles to make friends there, neither to get along with the staff.
Thanks for this nice report about your first days in Quebec.
All the best,
Manuela
I am happy for you Expector it’s a great opportunity wish you luck.
Woow I can feel both your excitement and anxious I would feel the same.
I am impressed by how you managed to go through difficulties on your journey and your first hours there. I think I wouldn’t be able to understand natives unless they are speaking with slower speed. But you did a great job going through this without troubles. Thanks for your great English ;)
I am sure you would make friends very fast not only because of your good English ;) You are a good person friendly and helpful. You give a lot of your time to help us here despite your limited free time.
Enjoy your stay there and keep updating us with your news.
Good Luck & Keep well :)
Really interesting! It will be great, if you share with us your experience and give advice during your study in Canada, at least first adaptation period like a diary:) I am planning my trip on the next year, and as for me it is very useful and informative:)
Thanks for sharing! Good luck!
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