NEW GLASGOW – Culture shock best describes the way South Korean native Miya Jeon felt when she arrived at her new home in Trenton about eight weeks ago.
Speaking little English and alone during the days while her husband works, the young woman found it difficult to connect with the community.
"The language," she said, was one of the biggest challenges she faced on a daily basis, as well as, "cooking and buying groceries and learning how to get around town."
To overcome some of those obstacles she reached out to Wendy Hughes, co-ordinator of the Pictou Host Program at the Pictou County YMCA.
Some of the smallest details in our everyday lives can be the biggest challenges for newcomers to the region, said the immigration official.
Hughes said it's easy to take for granted ordering a cup of coffee the way you like it or counting out money at the sales checkouts. But it is those types of activities that can be overwhelming for new immigrants.
"Every aspect of your life is new and the only way you can learn some of these things is by spending time with someone who is from here," she said.
Hughes matches longtime residents with newcomers in an effort to alleviate some of the stress associated with becoming familiar with an entirely new environment.
"It's definitely culture shock at its finest when you come here (from a foreign country)," said Hughes, adding the language, food and climate are the top three issues for newcomers.
The host program is relatively new in the county, having only been established here about 18 months. However the parent host program has been operating in the Halifax and Dartmouth area for the past 20 years in partnership with the YMCA.
Hughes said the umbrella of settlement services she co-ordinates includes many things, from helping people with documentation such as driver's licences, to offering advice on the local recycling programs. Its primary focus is to successfully integrate new immigrants into the local community by creating a supporting and welcoming environment.
Trenton resident Mary Lou Walst heard about the Pictou County host program from a friend at the local Nova Scotia Community College campus and felt it would be rewarding to help new people adjust to their unfamiliar surroundings while learning about other cultures.
During the next six months she will spend time with South Korean immigrant Anna Hwang and they'll be learning from one another.
"As a stay at home mom I have time for Anna to be with me, to get groceries, to shop," she said, adding they both have two school-aged girls who will also benefit from their new friendship.
Hughes said there is a recognized need to keep new immigrants in the area to promote economic stability, adding the county has a number of large employers and the region is attractive to many professionals.
"I can tell you first-hand if you expand your circle both lives get enriched," said Hughes.
She said there is an ongoing need for host friends of all ages, both men and women, giving newcomers an opportunity to interact and practise speaking English.
"The ideal friend just needs to spend a couple hours a week doing whatever they would like to do," said the co-ordinator.
Along with friend-to-friend matching, the host program also offers English conversation groups three times a week and a variety of group activities such as bowling, sewing or cooking to encourage new immigrants to socialize with others sharing common experiences.
For more information about the host program or to become a friend volunteer call Hughes at 752-0202.
