How SMU Societies Can Help You Adjust to Culture Shock
Written by Leah Oake
Thumbnail Photo by Nareeta Martin on Unsplash
Photo by John McArthur on Unsplash
Every year students from all over the world come to study at Saint Mary’s University. This comes with many opportunities for international students but also with fear, anxiety and alienation. Local students from Nova Scotia and around Canada experience the stress and nerves that come with starting university and pursuing a degree, while international students experience the expected feelings and much more. Saint Mary’s welcomes international students from countries like Argentina, Zimbabwe, Bahamas, Estonia, Mexico, Portugal, and countless others. These students are embarking on a new chapter of their lives and leaving behind their homes, families, childhoods and comfort. These feelings are ones that (most) Nova Scotian students do not have to deal with. Coming to a city like Halifax can result in culture shock for many students.
Culture Shock: the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.
Before reading on, check out these Journal articles on Culture Shock: Battling Cultural Shock: Tips for Coping Strategies, and The Cultural Weight of Immigration.
Some of the most common changes international students encounter when coming to study in Canada are LGBTQ+ friendliness, diversity, unique climate, sales tax, high telecom prices, and free water at restaurants. These differences (plus others) can make life a little jarring and hard to adjust to. It’s hard to feel comfortable in a new place, but when novel cultural norms are added, it can be even more difficult. Coming to Halifax as an international student can be like flipping your world upside down. New people, new language, new customs, and new norms.
Luckily, at Saint Mary’s University, there is a perfect way to acclimate to Canadian culture by joining societies, and more specifically, cultural societies. Currently, the active cultural societies at SMU are the following: the SMU African Student Society, the SMU Bangladeshi Student Society, the SMU Chinese Association Society and the SMU Muslim Society. These societies want to bring some of their culture’s norms and language to the Saint Mary’s community. As an international student, joining a society that reminds you of home will not only get you involved, but will also act as a safe haven for you. Having places at SMU for international students is crucial to the university, and the students themselves. International students make up so much of the student body, and SMU allows the creation of spaces (like the societies mentioned) which help students’ morale, attitude, and anxiety. International students have to adjust not only to a new school, but to a new language as well. Many international students come to Saint Mary’s without understanding English and they have to learn it throughout their studies. This can also lead to difficulty making friends, understanding lectures and feeling accepted in non-cultural societies. With this in mind, these cultural societies prove to be even more necessary as they bring students a little piece of home in a space where they (and other students alike) can speak their native language. This can easily allow international students to make friends and even learn English quicker with the help of other students like themselves.
Cultural societies aren't the only way to adjust to culture shock. Obviously, joining a society that aligns with a student’s culture will have great benefits to reducing homesickness. Still, other societies can help reduce these effects. Societies like the SMU Drama Society, SMU Society of Ancient Studies, or the SMU Anthropology Society can help international students focus on their hobbies. Joining a society that focuses on an interest or major can spark new friendships and excitement when interacting with the society's events and its members. When international students join a society that is focused on their hobby, it helps them in a unique way compared to cultural societies. It allows them to meet students who share their interests. One example is love of theatre. SMU’s Drama Society requires learning lines for shows. This could help a student learn English quicker and develop friendships. Societies are a great way to integrate into campus life at Saint Mary’s University. International students can rely on SMU societies to adjust to Canadian culture, university life, and to feel more welcome.