Welcoming Week brings many smiles and welcomes

Language Training Centre students, faculty and staff take a little time to enjoy a sweet treat as part of Welcoming Week 2022 celebrations.

Dean Kerri Korabelnikov shares a warm welcome from Manitou a bi Bii daziigae as part of the Welcoming Week.

Anna shares a glimpse into her story of immigrating to Canada as part of the Welcoming Week Celebrations.

There are two ways to describe the events of September 25, 2007. The official version is that I landed as a Family Class immigrant and obtained my Permanent Resident status that day. The other version is much shorter: I moved to Winnipeg that day.

Before I moved here, I didn’t think much about life in Canada. I had visited before and life on the surface wasn’t that different to that at home. But visiting for fun is very different to immigrating and reorganizing your life: culturally some things just don’t make sense, yet that’s how they work (small talk, casual friendliness of strangers, cold milk for breakfast, planning meals for a week…). But then you discover that process-wise, this country is very well organized – don’t roll your eyes if you haven’t had to deal with bureaucracy in any country outside of the Commonwealth.

Before I left my country, I really didn’t think about any obstacles. I was ready: I had both official languages, a place to live, knew how to cook and how to drive, and knew how to dress in winter.

Then I arrived and was ready to find work and live the life in the greatest country in the world. And suddenly things weren’t that easy: I didn’t have childcare (4–12-month waitlist!!!) so no looking for a job; I didn’t know how to take a bus to the get to a store; and how the heck do you shop for a whole week (daily shopping where I come from)? And then winter came early and stayed for a really long time. And I absolutely hated my life. For about 2 years until I was really annoyed with the person I became. But I did get a job and started making new friends within the first year of living here.

So how am I still here? The first step to embracing life in Canada was to stop evaluating things as better or worse. Instead, I started telling myself things are different. The second step was to engage in an informal study of the habits and customs of Canadians. The third step was to start accepting the differences, understanding them, and adapting/adopting different ways. But also, not losing my own identity.

Welcoming Week 2022 has encouraged me to stop and reflect on my personal and professional journey of coming to Canada. As my 15th anniversary approaches, I reflect on all the achievements and losses. I have 3 amazing, smart, fun kids; a career that I immensely enjoy; a beautiful home and lots of places to explore and visit in and out of the province. I have learned to use public transit here and even though grocery shopping for a week is still a challenge, no one goes hungry. I also learned that coffee and eggs make a better breakfast than cold cereal. I no longer am nervous when strangers say ‘hi’ and smile at me on the street.

But, more importantly, I can be me. In my personal life, I can maintain the traditions I care about, make my own choices about my health and lifestyle, and spend my free time as I see fit. In my country, choices aren’t always free, so I value them and am so grateful for them. I also can raise my kids to be happy, independent, hard-working adults – the way I was raised by my parents and grandparents – and instill the values of curiosity, education, contribution, fun, and respect.

In my professional life, I am so lucky to work in alignment with my values. This makes me feel appreciated, valued. And this is what makes me feel genuinely included. I think that for any person coming to Canada, they need to know that there is place and space for them to achieve success on their own terms and that there are people and organizations who will help them. The process is not easy, it takes time, grit, adjusting, and learning, but it is not impossible. Your heart feels like it has two homes through this, you learn to focus on being grateful for what you had, what you have and what lays ahead. For me, this is an extremely rewarding journey and, I hope, it’s mutual for Canada.

The Language Training Centre will host an in-person English Conversation Club (ECC) kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 15^th between 1pm – 3pm (in room E235 Manitou a bi Bii daziigae).

​Students are invited to stop in anytime between 1pm-3pm to say hello to the volunteers, enjoy a snack and enter to win some great prizes.

The Government of Manitoba announced yesterday, that it will be recognizing Sept 19 as a day of mourning for the funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

RRC Polytech will observe this day of mourning and all campuses will be closed on Monday, September 19. All in-person and remote learning classes are cancelled.

Nuit Blanche Winnipeg is a free evening exploration and celebration of contemporary art that takes place on the opening Saturday of Culture Days. Held annually since 2010, the events and exhibits attract thousands of people to Downtown, The Forks, and the Exchange District. Nuit Blanche Winnipeg 2022 will take place on Saturday, September 24.

Nuit Blanche is looking for volunteers for Saturday Sep 24th, from 9:00 pm to 12:30 am. Volunteers will be required to monitor art installations, engage with attendees, answer any questions, hand out maps, direct attendees to the app, loosely track attendance, and potentially assist artists with set up or tear down.                     

There will be an orientation (in-person or online options available) the week leading up to the event. Volunteers will also be required to sign our code of conduct form.

Sign up to show your support, meet new friends and artists, and become part of the the biggest contemporary arts and culture celebration in Manitoba.

Click here to register.

My name is Carmen and as part of the Welcoming Week celebrations I would like to share a little bit about my story. 

9 years ago, on September 17, 2013, we arrived in Winnipeg after almost a year of preparation and planning. However, this was quite an adventure and a surprise in many ways since we arrived. 

We arrived with a family of three (my husband, my 1-year-old son, and myself), with only three suitcases and with numerous dreams, goals, fears, and the desire to live in peace and freedom. Now we are five, three children, my husband and I.  

Although you tried to prepare yourself for something like this, you always find things that you did not imagine or that you simply did not know like a blank canvas that you must shape and paint to the extent that life allows you. Yes, you do have to start from scratch in every way, starting with the language, professional path and even learning how to function in a total new world. 

We arrived in a town outside of Winnipeg. My husband got a survival job where he worked nights and rested during the day. Meanwhile I traveled an hour and a half in the mornings to study in Winnipeg and made the same journey back in the afternoons. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible, because migrating is a decision that entails many sacrifices and a great desire to move on in life. The first years can be difficult and even almost impossible, but many newcomers have achieved it. You ask yourself: If others have achieved it before us, how can we not do it as well? That was the question that kept us fighting and searching for opportunities. 

And that is what we wanted when we arrived in this country, to find OPPORTUNITIES… and after a short time we began to see these opportunities and achieve them. Throughout these nine years I have discovered a country with its defects and virtues, but where dreams can come true, a country where you can materialize your goals if you work hard and commit to achieving them. 

I started as a student at the Language Training Center (RRC Polytech) and my level of English was literally zero. Now I am part of the RRC Polytech staff, and that has been a great opportunity to grow professionally and personally. I discover new things and meet many people every day. Every single day I wake up with the attitude of learning something new about my work environment, my city, my new culture, and my life. I feel that there is still much to discover and that keeps me attentive to the opportunities that will undoubtedly lead me to achieve the goals and successes that I have on my to-do list. 

Without a doubt, coming to Canada is one of the best decisions I have made in my life, it does not mean that I do not miss Venezuela, my people, my culture and everything that goes with it, it is simply that at this time I now understand that Canada is the place where I belong and although I love and miss Venezuela, Canada is the place where I live my present and where my future dreams are. 

Migrating is not easy, but it teaches us many things. We have to be attentive to these teachable moments and open our minds and our hearts to understand that at some point little by little you start to love and value the country where you are now and that this will become your country on a regular basis and your heart will always be divided because on one side you keep the treasures of the past and on the other side you will treasure the moments that have shaped you into a new and better human being. 

As we start to settle in and feel more comfortable with our daily routines, I encourage you to embrace the College’s culture of caring for one another and ensure that everyone both virtually and on campus continues to feel welcome and valued.  

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths because it’s our differences that often teach us the most. We are so fortunate to bring together students and staff from a wide collection of backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, making our College community an incredible resource from which to learn.   

Our commitment to inclusion guides us to seek opportunities to involve all of these unique sources of information in ways that are meaningful to them and helps to develop better strategies to interact with each other moving forward.   

This week we will be holding some special events and activities to celebrate international students, immigrants and all newcomers to Canada who have chosen to further their education at RRC Polytech.  

From September 9 to 18, RRC Polytech and the Language Training Centre are participating in Welcoming Week to promote inclusion and belonging. It’s the 10th anniversary of what is now a global event, and the third year Canada is participating nationally.  

Building confidence and developing a sense of belonging is essential to long term success and we want all students to know that sharing their culture, language and unique experiences enriches life on campus for everyone and we appreciate their contribution to the College community.       

Welcoming Week also allows us to showcase the benefits of our partnerships in the community, and with local and Federal government, which enhance learning opportunities and break down barriers to access and participation for international students, newcomers and refugees. 

A prime example is RRC Polytech’s Language Training Centre, a hub for helping newcomers achieve success in their fields, while bringing great impact to Manitoba’s communities. Its home at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae in the heart of Winnipeg, is convenient and accessible for learners and offers so much more beyond an opportunity to learn English. The supportive and energetic staff have created a dynamic learning environment that also connects students with their community and the supports they need to reach their education and career goals.  

Our partners in industry are in need of skilled workers and we are eager to prepare the next generation of leaders. By offering a welcoming, collaborative environment RRC Polytech is attracting the best and the brightest to learn, work and live in Manitoba.     

During Welcoming Week, we invite you to share your success stories, compete in fun activities for prizes, pose for photos, and explain who you are, why you’re here and the many reasons you’re proud of where you’re from. Use the hashtag #WelcomingWeek2022 on social media to have your message included in the national campaign. The goal of this initiative is to create a greater mutual understanding of the needs of others and an uplifting atmosphere to work and learn in.  

We are committed to ensuring our College community reflects Manitoba’s diverse population and welcomes the valuable perspectives of people from around the world. 

Be kind. Be curious. Be open. 

Fred 

Did you know that September 9th – 18th is Welcoming Week?

Welcoming Week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the people, places and values that help everyone feel welcome and that they belong in their local community. These values are important at the Language Training Centre and RRC Polytech.

Help celebrate Welcoming Week by participating in a variety of activities this week, including:

• Watching this website throughout the week for messages from the RRC Polytech and Language Training Centre leadership team
• Reading inspiring stories by staff and students that will be posted here and on LTC’s Facebook page
• Participating in the following on-campus activities on Sept. 15^th between 1pm – 3pm: 
  • English Conversation Club in-person kick off
    • Have fun and meet new people while practicing your English (E235 – Manitou a bi Bii daziigae) 
  • Welcoming Week photo booth
    • Write a welcome message/word, take a selfie at our photobooth (E210 – Manitou a bi Bii daziigae) 

Let’s celebrate some of the things that make RRC Polytech, the Language Training Centre and Canada great at Welcoming Week 2022!