Hi there, it’s Jill!
Today I want to share about my personal story when first arrived in Canada when I was18. For many new immigrants, the hardest part isn’t just the language, it’s rebuilding your sense of belonging in a completely new environment.
This isn’t a “how-to” guide, but what I learned about adapting, speaking up, and slowly finding my footing in a foreign country.
01
The Business Class That Overwhelmed Me
In my first year of university, I enrolled in a business course out of curiosity. It wasn’t mandatory for my program, but it was offered through the prestigious business school, so I thought, why not give it a try?
On the very first day, the professor explained that participation would count toward our final grade. Unlike my math or economics classes, where I could quietly study and prepare for tests, this course required me to speak up in real time.
For a non-native English speaker who had just arrived in a new country, that was terrifying 😨!
The classroom had about 75 students, many of them confidently raising their hands and engaging in lively discussions. Meanwhile, I was sitting there silently, struggling to form sentences in my head fast enough to join in.
Even when I did manage to raise my hand, it usually came out as a short answer in low volume. My face burned as I imagined everyone staring at “the girl with the accent.”
After class, I often went back to my dorm feeling frustrated and disappointed. I’d replay moments in my head: I should have spoken up more… I could have answered that better… or honestly, sometimes I didn’t even fully understand the question because people spoke so fast.
What made it even harder was the cultural knowledge gap. My classmates casually referenced things I had never heard of — Dairy Queen, Marble Slab, LCBO, American Express. These “common” examples showed up in case studies, and I often felt lost. It wasn’t just about the language; it was about not knowing the context everyone else seemed to take for granted.
Back in China, I had been a top student. Here, I felt like I was barely getting by. That contrast was crushing 😞.
02
Practicing Until It Became Natural
I didn’t know any shortcuts, so I resorted to sheer practice. Before each class, I would:
Read the case multiple times.
Highlight key details and write notes.
Work through every practice question at the end.
Sit alone in a study room, rehearsing answers out loud as if it were an oral exam.
Week after week, case after case, I drilled myself until speaking up felt a little less intimidating.
By the end of the year, I don’t remember my exact grade, but I do remember this: I received the highest participation rating in the class. My professor, Ron, wrote a short note:
“Jill, glad to see you making progress. Keep up the good work!”
That one line meant the world to me.
03
More Than Just English
Looking back, that course wasn’t really about business cases or participation grades. It was my crash course in resilience and professional growth.
It pushed me to speak even when I felt awkward and shy.
It taught me that preparation builds courage.
It reminded me that I could adapt, evolve, and get better with persistence.
It also opened the door to the professional world. That class was where I learned about LinkedIn, resumes, and case competitions. I listened to classmates who had already done internships, led clubs, or even competed in business contests back in high school.
At the age of 19, I didn’t fully grasp what “building up your resume” meant, but I knew I needed to start somewhere.
So, throughout my undergrad years, I kept searching for opportunities to grow: joining student clubs, taking summer jobs, and connecting with people who could broaden my perspective. That first business class planted the seed.
Final Thoughts: From Surviving to Thriving
Every immigrant’s story is different, but there’s a common thread: moving from just surviving to thriving.
For me, it meant realizing that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite it.
If you’re in the middle of your own adjustment period — whether in a new country, a new job, or a new environment — remember this:
Feeling uncomfortable is not a sign of failure, but a sign of growth.
Progress may feel painfully slow, but small wins accumulate.
And most of all: you are building resilience, even if you don’t see it yet.
Looking back, I’m grateful for that business class that once made me want to hide. It forced me out of my comfort zone and helped me find a voice I didn’t know I had✨.
— Jill
Founder of Anchor Growth Newsletter
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