1 |

WelcomeT O T H E T R I - C I T I E S

a special magazine committed to building bridges in immigrant communities and inclusion in Canadian society

Fall

2010

MasteringMasteringMandarinMandarin

free

resources for new immigrants

Feeding a Feeding a communitycommunitywith morewith morethan just foodthan just food

2 | welcome

welcome | 3

editor’s letterCONTENTS

FOOD BRINGS NEWCOMERS TOGETHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4LAW TALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5EASE INTO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6CLARE ADAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7COVER STORY — IMMERSING IN LANGUAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8CITATION FOR TEACHERS NEW TO ESL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10LIBRARIES ONE-STOP SHOPS FOR NEW CANADIANS . . . . . . . . . 11TRI-CITIES RESOURCE GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12WORLD HOLIDAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14CONNECTING SKILLS TO EXPERIENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Are you new to Canada? Welcome — to the Tri-Cities and to this, our inaugural issue of Welcome magazine.

It’s designed to shine a light on issues unique to newcomers, whether they’ve been here a day, a week or a year. Whether they’re from India, the Philippines or the U.K. Whether they’re young or old, immigrants or refugees.

Whoever you are, we hope you’ll fi nd the information and services you need to adapt to a new life, and the warm welcome of a community known for its caring residents.

Nearly 40 per cent of Coquitlam residents — a whopping 44,750 — were born outside of the country, according to Statistics Canada.

The numbers are less dramatic in Port Coquitlam (where 28 per cent of residents were born outside of Canada) and Port Moody (where the number is 29 per cent), but those communities, too, are being reshaped by an infl ux of new people.

Take a drive down North Road, and you’ll see clear evidence of this shift.

From small stores and restaurants to a branch of H-Mart — the largest Asian market in North America — North Road has become a hub for everything Korean. Many residents of Metro Vancouver communities outside the Tri-Cities travel to this area for its authentic cuisine, services provided in the Korean language and products imported directly from Asia.

Residents originally from China and Iran also make up large newcomer groups in the Tri-Cities.

A new program in School District 43, for example, refl ects the growing importance of Canada’s ties to China.

The Mandarin bilingual program, detailed in a story starting on Page 8, began in September and has proven extremely popular.

For an entirely different perspective, check out the Page 7 column by Clare Adams, an immigrant from the U.K.

She notes that just because English is her fi rst language doesn’t mean she knows how to speak “Canadian.”

If you’re looking for quick connections to local groups that help newcomers adapt to life in Canada, you’ll fi nd it in our resource guide, which starts on Page 12.

And if you have ideas for stories or topics you’d like to see covered in future issues, send us an e-mail at editorial@thenownews.com. This is your magazine, and we want to provide the information you feel is most relevant to your journey as a newcomer.

We’re glad you’re here

WelcomeEDITOR

leneen robb

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETINGcatherine ackerman

LAYOUTrona eastman-magee

CONTRIBUTORSclare adams, simone blais, tracey denofreo, sarah husband,lisa king, julie maclellan, jennifer mcfee, paul vanpeenen,

iven k.s. tse, leslie utsunomiya

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERSkim boekhorst, pat jacques,

sanjay sharma,

PUBLISHERbrad alden

PUBLISHED BYNOW Newspapers Ltd

#201A - 3430 Brighton Ave, Burnaby B.C. V5A 3H4www.thenownews.com

COVER PHOTO: Lisa King

LENEEN ROBB

Welcome, newcomers

4 | welcome

world tastesFood brings newcomers togetherCultural Cuisine helps parents bond and learn language

On today’s lunch menu: steaming kongnamulguk and brightly coloured bibimbap.

In a fl urry of preparations, a group of apron-clad women crowds around a small stove. One drops a strip of kelp into a pot of boiling water while another adds a sprinkle of salt. Sliced onions sizzle, stirred by chopsticks over high heat. A bowl of julienned carrots is next.

Culinary creations are nothing new at Hampton Park Elementary, where a group of mothers meets every second Tuesday for a multicultural meal.

Roughly a third of the school’s 220 students are recent immigrants. For the past three years, the Cultural Cuisine group has provided the students’ parents a place to practise English while sharing morsels of their own heritage.

Today’s theme is Korean cooking, but the Canadian newcomers have also dined on dishes from Mexico, Iran, China, Italy and Greece.

The feast begins, and 14 moms sit back to sample the soybean sprout soup called kongnamulguk.

As the chef du jour, Jennifer Lee passes out recipes and explains how she prepared the dish.

“It’s very traditional,” said Lee, who moved to Canada from Korea with her family three years ago. “This is an everyday soup for Koreans. We eat a lot of bean sprouts because it contains a lot of protein.”

Next, each diner stirs a selection of vegetables, beef, eggs and kimchi into a mound of cooked rice for a dish called bibimbap, topped with a spicy sauce. To complete the meal, the moms sip cups of root-based tea and nibble lemon bars baked by ESL teacher Elsa Fogale.

Lee, a mother of two, said she enjoys the cooking club because it gives her a sense of community and a comfortable place to hone her second-language skills.

“When I came to Canada, it was very hard to speak in English,” she said. “Now it’s getting easier because of this club. It’s very helpful for me. I made lots of friends in school with the moms. It’s very connected.”

Nearly three years ago, Sandra Lopez started the cuisine club as a way to get to know other parents and learn about different cultures. She said the cooking group provides fi rst-hand knowledge about ethnic foods, from preparation to dining etiquette.

The moms venture out on shopping trips to buy groceries together,

learning about best brands and where to fi nd specialty products. They also dine out at multicultural restaurants and recently launched a book club.

“It’s a good thing to learn, but it’s an excuse to gather. You feel very good because you join and you are part of something. You get to know some people. You feel welcome,” said Lopez, who moved from Mexico six years ago.

“After cooking and learning, we chat a lot. That’s a way to help you get involved in the school and come here and see places that you know. This way, we get to know the families and support each other. I think it’s a very nice thing.”

JENNIFER MCFEE

Ingredients:

1 500-gram pkg. soybean spouts5 1/2 cups water11/2 tsp salt1/2 cup kelp2 cloves minced garlic2 chopped green onions

Directions:1. Rinse and drain a 500-gram

package of soybean sprouts a few times over. Pick out any rotten sprouts.

2. Put the soybean sprouts into a pot and add 5 cups of water.

3. Add 1 tsp salt, cup of kelp and 2 cloves of minced garlic.

4. Close the lid and bring to a boil over medium heat for about 15 minutes. and stir with a spoon.

6. Lower the heat and simmer for another 25 minutes.

7. Take the kelp out of the soup.

8. Add 2 chopped green onions.

9. Remove from heat and serve in a bowl.

SOYBEAN SPROUT SOUP (kongnamulguk)

welcome | 5

law talk

Consider this scenario: You have fi nally obtained your permanent residency in Canada, and for

months now you have yet to fi nd a decent job. You still need to support your family, and your options seem limited and below your qualifi cations and experience.

You then receive a job offer from an employer in your home country, or your previous employer in your home country wants you back.

What are the risks involved in returning to your home country to work in order to support your family here in Canada?

There are many reasons why permanent residents leave Canada for an extended period of time. The problem comes when these people apply to renew their permanent status in Canada. What is the law in this area?

Canadian immigration law requires permanent residents to be physically present in Canada for a total of 730 days within a fi ve-year period prior to their renewal. There are a few exceptions to this

rule: for example, if the permanent resident works overseas on a full-time basis for a Canadian company, or if the permanent resident accompanies a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who works full-time for a Canadian company overseas and who is their spouse or parent.

In the event the permanent resident breaks this rule and does not fall into any of the above exceptions, what are some of the factors that will be considered by immigration offi cers and the courts in any appeal? Here are some of the factors:

1. How long were you away from Canada?

2. What are your reasons for this absence from Canada?

3. What are your intentions to reside in Canada?

4. What efforts have you made to return to Canada?

5. How much time have you spent in Canada?

6. What is your level of establishment in Canada, including family, work and assets?

How to keep your permanent residency statusIVEN K.S. TSE

PAGE 12

6 | welcome

people

Last June, a new program called EASE (English and skills for employment) held its fi rst graduation ceremony. Twenty-four students aged 19 to 25, who have arrived to Canada in the last

fi ve years from around the world clapped, cried and laughed their way through the celebration. The ceremony was so full of emotion. Teachers and parents were bursting with pride. Students were excited to celebrate and sad and even tearful at the thought of saying farewell to what had become their second family.

With the support of their teachers these young people had improved their English, learned about the Canadian workplace and earned many certifi cates, all for free. With help, students had all been placed into new Canadian jobs, travelled throughout the community to job fairs and interviews. What mattered most to all of them were the connections, fun and friendships they made with each other and their teachers.

Luisa from Ecuador gave us some feedback on the program. “EASE

opened doors for me to feel more confi dent about my English skills. I improved my skills in a friendly multicultural group with awesome teachers. Also, they helped everyone with more tools to get a job. It was a really good experience. Thank you for this program and giving

young newcomers [a] chance to get involved in Canadian life.”

EASE into Canada is a full-time program funded by the Canadian government to help young people who are new to Canada start work. EASE is a 10-month program offered by Coquitlam Continuing Education that includes

vocational training, English and weekly outings into the community. In the spring, students will be helped to fi nd paid work placements. A monthly bus pass is included in this free program.

To learn more about the EASE program e-mail ease@sd43.bc.ca or call Sohelia at 604-936-4261.

• Sarah Husband is the district principal of Coquitlam Continuing Education.

EASE into employment opportunitiesSARAH HUSBAND

EASE opened doors for me to feel more confi dent about

my English skills.

welcome | 7

people

When I fi rst came to Canada we had plenty of amusing moments at work as I struggled with my

new language. I’ve always maintained that I am CSL — Canadian as a second language — and everything from pronouncing Chilliwack and Quesnel to asking for Tippex (correction fl uid in the UK) caused great hilarity. Fast forward nine years and who knew that we’d still be laughing over language? You might expect the comedy these days would be courtesy of Son’s new and expanding vocabulary, but apparently it is still me causing the greatest laughs — only now it is Daughter who is giving me strange looks and rolling about laughing at some of my pronunciations.

My kids have a great sense of humour and love any opportunity to correct Mom. The most common correction I get is over my constant use of the word “dinner” for lunch.

Where I grew up, at school we had dinnertime, school dinners and dinner ladies. In the middle of the day, it was dinner, and it’s one term that I always go back to using when I’m not concentrating. And Daughter always calls me on it. “It’s not dinnertime, Mom,” she says with an exacerbated frown. “We haven’t even had lunch yet.”

Requests for tea can also create farcical miscommunications that the Two Ronnies would be proud of (Google “Four Candles” if you don’t know the sketch).

If I ask Daughter if she’s ready for “tea,” we quite often have complete misunderstanding over whether I mean cup of tea or something to eat. Trust me, when you’re just trying to get kids to eat, an added fi ve minutes of debate over the interpretation doesn’t help the process along.

About two weeks ago Daughter was teaching Son body parts when she pointed to the middle of her hand, so I let her know that the bit she was pointing at was actually called the “palm.”

She looked at me like I’d gone mad and quite adamantly told me, “It’s not your ‘parm.’ It’s your ‘pom.’” I tried to say it like she had, but she was laughing so hard I could hardly speak for laughing with her. In the end I tried to tell her that I am English so I say “parm,” but after another 10 minutes of hysterical laughter Son went back to saying “It’s your hand,” which made us all laugh.

On occasions Daughter has used our difference to her advantage and to my great amusement. When I corrected her once for saying “buyed” instead of “bought,” she wasn’t having any of it and explained to me quite nonchalantly that “I say buyed because I speak Canadian, and you say ‘bought’ because you speak English.”

Son has been pretty much oblivious to any differences up to now, but has curiously started correcting both me and Hubby recently without any discernible distinction.

The other day for example he got quite irate with me, repeating “It’s not a motorcycle. It’s a motorcycle.” I could hear no appreciable difference in what he was saying, and certainly didn’t think I was saying anything different either, so could do nothing to allay his frustration with me.

It will be interesting as they grow to see how many of my idiosyncrasies my kids pick up themselves, and I hope that they gain an appreciation for how differences can be interesting and that they don’t have to become barriers to love or friendship.

In the meantime, if it adds a little humour to our lives, then I’m always up for a jolly good giggle.

CLARE ADAMS

Canadian as a second language takes time to master

8 | welcome

SETTLEMENT PROGRAMS u p p o r t . O p p o r t u n i t y . S t r e n g t h .

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we are here to help!www.mosaicbc.com

cover storyImmersing themselves in languageMandarin bilingual program helps generations to discover their roots

School District 43 has launched its fi rst-ever Mandarin bilingual program, and the kids aren’t the only ones ready

to learn.

Two classes each of kindergarten and Grade 1 started in the program at Walton Elementary in September.

The program offers instruction split 50-50 between Mandarin and English in early years, tapering down as students get closer to graduation. Each year, the school district plans to add one more grade until the lead class is taken right through to Grade 12.

Since demand exceeded space available, a lottery system determined which 44 kindergarten students and 39 Grade 1 students would get a spot.

Raquel Barria’s son Joshua was one of the lucky kindergarten students

to be chosen.

“When I got the e-mail from SD43, I just can’t believe it because there are so many people to select from,” Barria said.

“I think there are a lot of people who would really want to learn.”

Barria and her husband were both born in the Philippines, but their families are originally from China. They can both speak some Mandarin, but they don’t use the language at home with their children.

“We don’t really speak it, but I want them to learn Mandarin because of our descent. There are so many people now everywhere dealing with China, so it’s a window of hope for business,” said Barria, who moved to Canada six years ago.

“I did buy some books already for Joshua, teaching him what is apple and simple things like that. It’s an advantage for me, too.”

JENNIFER MCFEE

PAGE 9

welcome | 9

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cover storySimilarly, Melanie Lee is ready to crack the books to learn alongside her son, Ethan, who was accepted into the Grade 1 program.

Lee’s husband is fourth-generation Chinese-Canadian, but his only Mandarin knowledge stems from a university class.

“We’re hoping as a family to learn it along with Ethan. My husband has some learning material from university. We have a lot of neighbours and friends that are Mandarin-speaking and I’m sure they’d be willing to help,” said Lee, who speaks Japanese as a second language.

“I’m hopefully going to be taking some conversation Mandarin courses for adults. The worst thing would be for him to ask for help and I have no clue.”

Anna Richter also hopes to learn the language, since her son Nicholas was accepted into the Grade 1 class. Her husband’s parents are originally from China, and they speak some Mandarin as well.

“The one thing that I really like about the Mandarin program is that they still keep the English, and I really want him to have a solid foundation for the English as well. With his Asian heritage, I just

thought it would be good. I think it’s one of those languages that it’s going to be really benefi cial as he gets older,” Richter said.

“A few of us moms are going to get together and try to learn. We’ve talked about seeing if we can just take some adult Mandarin classes. That’s my only concern is I don’t know how much I can help him at home. We’re just going to look into it and fumble our way through and fi gure it out.”

Like local parents, superintendent Tom Grant is also pleased to see the initiative underway.

“We are very excited to offer this program of choice in our district, as we strive to identify and meet the needs of all students in our diverse learning community,” he said.

The $15,000 bilingual program has been mainly funded through District 43’s budget process, with some assistance from the Confucius Classroom.

FROM PAGE 8

SIX YEAR-OLD ETHAN LEE (LEFT) AND NICHOLAS YANG GEAR UP TO LEARN MANDARIN THIS YEAR IN GRADE 1. PHOTO: LISA KING

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10 | welcome

people

Crash and burn can be the outcome for many novices looking to fund a travel

experience by teaching English abroad.

But a new program from Douglas College is designed to change that. The teaching English as a second language (TESL) citation delivers the practical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to succeed at teaching English abroad or locally.

A lack of practical teaching skills, combined with living in a country where one may not know the language or the culture, can be a recipe for disaster for prospective English teachers, according to Douglas College TESL program co-ordinator Janice Penner.

“It’s stressful to teach English without the education to back you up. I have seen people crash and burn,” says Penner, who has taught English

in Japan, Taiwan and China.

“People without training are often overwhelmed with the errors their students make.”

Douglas TESL students will learn how to design and deliver courses, and practise in real classroom situations. Individual guidance from professional TESL teachers

will be provided in the fi ve-course, 15-credit semester.

And earning the citation should make it easier to fi nd work, Penner says. “Many countries are setting higher standards for foreign English-language teachers, so we expect that those with the Douglas TESL citation in hand will have a distinct advantage when applying for overseas positions.”

For more information on the TESL citation at Douglas College, visit www.douglascollege.ca/teachenglish.

Citation geared for teachers new to ESLCollege program gives applicants recognized credentials abroad

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welcome | 11

libraries

Whether you are a new immigrant or a traveler in Canada, the local public library should be one of your fi rst stops at your destination.

Staff there can help you fi gure out where you are going, how to get there and help you ease those longings for home. Best of all, most services are free.

Although there are three different library systems in the Tri-Cities, with four buildings between them, you can use any one of them. Bring in some local identifi cation to get a library card, which then allows you to borrow materials or use library computers for the Internet. All libraries in the Lower Mainland belong to public library InterLINK, a federation of libraries with a wide variety of services and programs that you can access.

Most libraries provide collections of books in various languages, as well as large English-as-a-second-language collections. You can

practise your English on language learning computers, participate in a live conversation circle, or maybe even sign up for a reading buddies program for your children or an adult tutoring program. Staff will even give tours of the libraries to groups or individuals.

Visitors may fi nd it useful to access their e-mail at the library or read newspapers from home in paper form or via press display, an online

database that shows daily newspapers in their original format. They can also pick up local transit guides, tourist information or just curl up with a good book for a change of pace.

In Coquitlam, you can visit either the Poirier Branch (575 Poirier St.) or the

City Centre Branch (3001 Burlington Dr.). Port Coquitlam’s Terry Fox Library (2470 Mary Hill Rd.) is a member of the Fraser Valley Regional Library system, and Port Moody Public Library (100 Newport Dr.) shares a building with the Port Moody City Hall.

• Leslie Utsunomiya is the adult services co-ordinator for the Coquitlam Public Library.

Libraries virtual one-stop-shops for new CanadiansLESLIE UTSUNOMIYA

You can practise your English on language learning computers or

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12 | welcome

resource guidePort Moody Public Library and SHARE Family and Community Services Society host a free English practice group for informal language practice every Friday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the ParkLane Room. Call Julie Sutherland at 604-469-4577.

Immigrant Services Society of B.C. provides newcomers with a range of settlement services, including settling counselling in various languages, community bridging, multicultural peer support and more. Call 604-395-8000 and 604-525-9144.

Place Maillardville teams up with SHARE Family and Community Services Society to hold an English practice group that meets every Saturday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at 1200 Cartier Ave., Coquitlam. Interactive conversation group is free and open to those 19 and older. Information: Shae Viswanathan at 604-936-3900, Ext. 161 or shae.viswanathan@sharesociety.ca.

Tri-City Women’s Resource Society offers several programs and a host of support services for new Canadian women. Most educational groups are free, and childcare and transportation subsidies are available. Information: 604-941-7111, Ext. 106.

Cameron Centre hosts free drop-in English. Conversation classes for intermediate to advanced level speakers, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. each Wednesday at 9523 Cameron St. Information: Sarah at 604-630-9236.

ESL and preschool program for African women, a course sponsored by Family Services of Greater Vancouver, with government funding. The program is for African mothers with young children at Olivet Baptist Church, 613 Queens Ave. Childcare is provided. Call 604-525-9144, Ext. 3655.

MOSAIC Settlement Services offers a wide range of services, including counselling, in more than 20 languages. Call 604-254-9626.

City of Coquitlam leisure and parks is looking for volunteers who are fl uent in both English and either Cantonese, Mandarin or Korean, who could also teach basic computer skills. For more information, call Laurie at 604-927-6963.

Immigrant Women’s Support Group, a place for immigrant women to share stories and strengths. Free childcare provided, and support group is by donation. Call 604-312-3243.

Social Insurance Number (SIN). To work in Canada, you need a Social Insurance Number. Most immigrants apply for this shortly after they arrive in Canada. For more information, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin/index.shtml.

Canada Child Tax Benefi t. The Canada Child Tax Benefi t is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under the age 18. To be eligible, you must be a resident of Canada, and you or your spouse or common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protect person or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months. For more information, visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/cctb/menu-eng.html.

Women In Need Gaining Strength (WINGS) is an outreach program that offers support to multicultural women who have experienced or are at-risk of being abused in intimate relationships. The group offers multicultural women emotional support and connections to safe homes, legal aid, counselling and other outreach services. For more information, contact Roshni Vedamanikam at 604-521-1888.

COQUITLAM NOW

FROM PAGE 6

7. What hardship would you face if your status was lost because of this breach?

8. What is your degree of establishment outside of Canada?

9. What effect would this loss of status have on any children who are here in Canada?

Simply having family members in Canada is not enough to demonstrate establishment in Canada. The quality and strength of these relationships will be looked at by the immigration offi cer.

Thus, infrequent contact or visit with family in Canada during the fi ve-year time period will likely demonstrate a lower level of establishment to an immigration offi cer.

Similarly, working outside of the country on an indefi nite contract will likely demonstrate an intention to remain in that country rather than demonstrating an intention to return to Canada.

A balancing act is performed in determining whether or not an applicant will either lose or keep their status. Each factor should be thoroughly considered and documented, either before a decision is made to leave Canada or if you have already been outside of Canada for an extended period of time.

Keeping your permanent residency status

welcome | 13

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14 | welcome

world holidaysNovember 1All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day)This is a religious day observed by the Anglican and Roman Catholic faiths to honour all saints of the Christian church.November 2Coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I This is a Rastafarian day acknowledging Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia. Rastas recognize Haile Selassie as God and believe he will return members of the black community to Africa.All Souls’ DayThis Christian day is an opportunity for Roman Catholic churches to commemorate the faithful departed, remembering and praying for the souls of people who are in purgatory.November 5DiwaliDiwali, the Festival of Lights, is an important celebration for many people from South Asia, including those of the Sikh, Hindu and Jain faiths. In Sikhism, Diwali marks the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes, in 1619. November 11Remembrance DayMarking the end of the First World War on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, Remembrance Day is observed by people of all faiths and cultures - usually with ceremonies held at local cenotaphs, and two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. In B.C., it is a statutory holiday.November 12Birth of Baha’u’llahFor those of the Baha’i faith, this day celebrates the birth of the faith’s founder, in 1817.November 15ShichigosanThis Shinto festival is held to give thanks for children. It’s often celebrated on the Sunday nearest to the 15th to allow working parents to take part in the celebrations.November 16Eid al AdhaThis Muslim Festival of Sacrifi ce Eid al-Adha is an important feast of Islam. It marks the conclusion of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The three-day festival marks Abraham’s willingness to sacrifi ce his son in obedience to Allah. November 21Birthday of Guru NanakFor those of the Sikh faith, this day marks the birthday of Guru Nanak, the fi rst Sikh teacher, who lived from 1469 to 1539. (This is the date according to the lunar calendar. It can also be celebrated by some on the date according to the Nanakshahi calendar, April 14.)November 23Niinamesei This Shinto holiday is Labour Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday in Japan and originally a harvest festival.

November 26Day of the Covenant This Baha’i festival celebrates the covenant of Baha’u’llah given in his last will and testament. Baha’is also mark the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Baha’u’llah.November 28First Sunday of AdventFor Western Christians, this marks the beginning of the new church year - always on the Sunday closest to Nov. 30. It marks the beginning of Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, which always includes four Sundays. It is considered a time of preparation for welcoming the birth of Jesus Christ. (For Christians of Eastern faiths, the Advent season is longer, beginning in mid-November.)December 2 to 9HanukkahThis is the Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorating the Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 BCE. Celebrations include readings and songs celebrating liberty, as well as the lighting of the menorah.December 7HijiraThis is a Muslim celebration, marking the Islamic New Year. It commemorates the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina.December 8Bodhi DayThis is a Buddhist day, celebrating Gautama’s attainment of enlightenment under the bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, India.December 16AshuraThis Islamic holy day is observed on the 10th of the Islamic month of Muharram. For Shi’ite Muslims, it’s a major festival marking the martyrdom of the Prophet’s grandson, Hussein, in 683/684 AD at the battle of Kerbala. For Sunnis, it is a recognition of Moses fasting in gratitude to Allah for liberation from oppression.December 21Winter SolsticeFor Wicca and Pagan followers, this is the time when the sun child is reborn. Within the northern tradition, Yule is regarded as the New Year.December 25ChristmasFor Western Christians, this is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is also a secular holiday, recognized widely with family gatherings, meals and the exchanging of gifts. December 26St. Stephen’s Day/Boxing DayThe day after Christmas is marked by some Christians as St. Stephen’s Day, commemorating the fi rst martyr of the church. It is now widely celebrated as the secular Boxing Day - characterized most primarily by post-Christmas sales in shops and malls.* Information above has been compiled from www.bbc.co.uk and www.interfaithcalendar.org. If you have any amendments or suggestions for future World of Holidays, send to Julie MacLellan, jmaclellan@burnabynow.com.

JULIE MACLELLAN

welcome | 15

peopleConnecting skills to experience College program links new Canadians to their fi elds of expertise

Like many new immigrants, Mahshid G. and Hooman S. faced their share of challenges when they came to Canada from Iran in 2007.

They had no family or friends here. Despite their education (both are medical doctors), they had no job prospects. Also, Mahshid was pregnant.

“When I look back at that time, I feel like we did an impossible thing,” recalled Hooman. “When we came here, everything is new: the country, the language. Even things like grocery shopping and banking are diffi cult.”

A lot has changed since then. Shortly after coming to Canada, they discovered Douglas College’s skills connect for immigrants program, which helps new Canadians fi nd employment in their fi eld of expertise. Today, they are among 18 new Canadians who are starting medical residencies in B.C. through the Ministry

of Health’s international medical graduates of British Columbia program. Hooman heads into a fi ve-year orthopaedic surgery residency, while Mahshid is working in family medicine for two years.

Skills connect for immigrants offers a range of services, including career development workshops and one-on-one sessions with career consultants to develop job search skills. Services are delivered at sites throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

“Skills Connect was a huge help for both of us,” said Mahshid. “When we began the exams that are part of the licensing process for international medical grads, I was so busy studying and taking care of our baby son that I couldn’t take a job. The program helped pay a portion of the costs of our exams and helped me access a childcare subsidy, which allowed us to focus on our studies.

“We spent a lot of time with our counsellors doing mock interviews and learning things like how to dress for interviews and how to shake hands, things that seem simple but were very important for us to learn,” she added.

The Coquitlam couple says they understand the diffi culties that many skilled immigrants face in seeking employment, but recognize that these challenges come with the territory.

“It can be diffi cult, but if you work hard, the opportunity to be successful will open up for you,” said Hooman.

TRACEY DENOFREO

MAHSHID G., LEFT, AND HOOMAN S. STRUGGLED INITIALLY WHEN THEY CAME TO

CANADA, BECAUSE THEIR MEDICAL TRAINING WAS NOT INITIALLY RECOGNIZED. A

DOUGLAS COLLEGE PROGRAM HAS HELPED THEM FIND WORK IN THEIR FIELD OF

EXPERTISE. PHOTO:CONTRIBUTED

It can be diffi cult, but if you work hard, the opportunity to be successful will open

up for you.

16 | welcome

EASE is a free program designed to support 19-25 year olds who have immigrated to Canada in the past 5 years:

1. Intensive language training (5 DAYS A WEEK)

2. Help settling into your community (WEEKLY FIELDTRIPS)

3. Vocational training, help finding work and follow up

4. Connect with others just like you

Additional services include;• Support from an experienced settlement worker• Monthly bus pass (ATTENDANCE REQUIRED)