Sweep the floor

When I first came here I could not find a job in my field. So, I started working at a factory on a machine station. The machine I worked on created metal scraps that fell on the floor. One day, my supervisor came to me when I wasn't machining and said: "Hey bud, if you have nothing to do right now, grab a broom and sweep the floor in your station". I looked down and cried.
I later went home and told my wife, she said: "Don't cry, you wanted to come to Canada and now we are here, this is just the beginning, you will accomplish everything you hope for as you always have".
Zia, Electrical Engineer, Pakistan.

I told him I was going to Canada

I was born in Canada but living with my parents in Lebanon. After high school, my father gave me two choices, move to Canada to be with my brother, or stay in Lebanon and go to university. He gave me some time to think about it.  It took me two hours and I told him I was going to Canada. If I went to university and graduated in Lebanon, it would be hard finding a job. I used to help my father at our auto parts store. One day he said “I will be right back”. He left and came back 10 minutes later with a plane ticket to Canada. I left 10 days later. I moved in with my brother into one room in the basement. I got the first month’s rent free, then I had to work. I only came to Canada with $100. My language was not good then. I could understand everything, but could not speak very well. A local pizza shop decided to give me a chance.

Jalal, Engineering Designer, Lebanon.

Different route to the hotel

When we arrived for the first time at the airport, there were too many of us to take one taxi, so we took two. My Father with some of the kids in one, and Mom with the rest of the kids in the other. mom knew no English.  Mom's taxi decided to take a different route to the hotel. Mom got nervous and started screaming and wailing, she thought were were being kidnapped.

The taxi driver stopped the car and radioed the Dad's taxi to say there is some kind of emergency but didn't know what. Dad's Taxi came to meet us and we drove to the hotel with both taxis taking the same route.

Osim, Information Technology Manager, Egypt

Shah was buried in Cairo

When I first got here, I landed in Toronto. I was walking around with my wife asking every business if they had any work. There was an Iranian guy who had a car repair garage. He said "No, but can you fix my car lift". I said "Yes, I could do it right now". I asked my wife to continue without me and I fixed it for him right there with a gasket I made. He asked me back to fix other things in his garage. I went there everyday for a week. I fixed a second lift that had bad electrical contacts, and the hydraulic and fuel systems on a fork lift that hadn't worked in years.

He said he liked Egyptians and that the Shah was buried in Cairo.

After the week had passed, I tried to discuss future plans and payment with him.  He said "No work". I told him I wasn't coming the next day. He said "Just one minute", walked away and came back with fifty dollars that he gave me for the week's work. He then told me not to tell anyone that I had worked for him and he couldn't give me a reference because it was illegal and I didn't have a social insurance number.

Saad, Engineer, Egypt

Afraid to go Outside

I live with my Mom. She is afraid to go outside. If she gets lost she won't know how to ask for help getting back because she doesn't speak English.

Paulina, Russia

How Canadians Answer Questions

This is how Canadians answer questions. First they tell you they don't know. Then they will explain the answer. Then they will tell you "But please don't trust me".

Omar, Engineer, Pakistan.