Are Canadians welcoming? 4 immigrants talk about adjusting to life in Toronto

Sixty-eightper cent of Canadians believe minorities should domore to fit in with mainstream society, instead of keeping their own customs and languages, according to apoll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute in partnership with CBC News.

Americans answered the same question, withonly 53 per cent of those surveyed in the U.S.sayingminorities need to do a better job of adjusting.

Are Canadiansless welcoming than we think?

CBC News spoke with four people who immigrated to Toronto to ask whether they feel welcome in the city, and what they had to change in order to fit in.

Chris Kim

Came from South Korea in 1975

How assimilated do you feel in Toronto? Do you feel a part of things?

I spent over 40years in Canada. So I'm more Canadian than Korean. It all depends on your attitude to adjusting.

Was there anything that you felt you had to change about yourself when you arrived?

The number one issue was the language barrier. I tried my best to break that barrier so I won't be treated like an immigrant forever. Because if you don't speak English well you're treated as a new immigrant. People will look down on you. But that attitude has been changed since the 70s. Now there are so many new immigrants in Canada. I still don't

I decided if I wanted to be called more often by friends and teachers, I needed to have an English name.- Chris Kim

speak English 100 per cent, but I do get by well and that gives me the confidence to mingle in Canadian society. Also my name. If I introduce myself with a Korean name, in a minute, they forget what it was. I decided if I wanted to be called more often by friends and teachers, I needed to have an English name. That's why I changed my name to Chris.

What do you think acting Canadian means?

To be open to other cultures.

Are Canadians welcoming?

Yeah, but with a condition. You have to have a certain attitude, to accept Canadian culture. Even though it's a mixed international culture, you still have to accept it.

AmerAl-Mahameed

Came from Syria via Jordan in 2016

How assimilated do you feel in Toronto? Do you feel a part of things?

Yes. I had this kind of feeling from the first day I arrived. I felt this way because of the help I was getting from our sponsor.There was a feeling that we were part of the community and part of Canada. We have not struggled or had the feeling that we are strangers.

Was there anything that you felt you had to change about yourself when you arrived?

No, because the great thing about Canada is that it's multicultural and there's many religions here. I didn't need to make many changes in my life or lifestyle.

What do you think acting Canadian means?

To act like a Canadians means we are a part of the community and contributing, so that in a few years we will be in a position to help other newcomers.

Are Canadians welcoming?

Yes. Canada is a land where everyone is accepting and welcoming.

Win Shi Wong

Came from Malaysia in 2011

How assimilated do you feel in Toronto? Do you feel a part of things?

Yes. In university, I was part of a volunteer group that helped me alot to get involved in Canadian culture. I didn't find it difficult to get comfortable.

Was there anything that you felt you had to change about yourself when you arrived?

I feel like I need to get out more. I feel like people here ...really like being in groups and helping each other. People are more actively involved in issues and they want to talk about it. Back home we don't do that. I feel like I need to be involved more.

What do you think acting Canadian means?

Be nice, be less judgmental, and treat everyone equally. Like, everyone's the same.

Are Canadians welcoming?

Oh yeah, very much. They invite me to everything, to parties, to different festivals. At my university we had a program where local families would invite international students to their place for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. It was really great.

Vlad Alexeyenko

Came from Ukraine in 2006

How assimilated do you feel in Toronto? Do you feel a part of things?

I do feel like I'm part of the city but most of my friends are from Russian and Ukrainian backgrounds. I still see myself as part of Toronto, and I feel quite comfortable here.

Was there anything that you felt you had to change about yourself when you arrived?

In university and since I started work, I've had no issues. In high school, I felt a bit uncomfortable with people not accepting the way I dress, because in Europe people dress a lot more classy. People wear dress shirts and dress pants, and so people here were not accepting of that. But I did not change that, I still continue to do things the way I prefer.

What do you think acting Canadian means?

To me acting Canadian means participating in Canadian social activities, paying taxes, participating in debates.You have to follow Canadian law and respect all the people who share space with you. Also outdoor events those are really popular here.

Are Canadians welcoming?

Yes. Maybe a little less when I was younger, but now I feel accepted.