Have you ever noticed how something totally normal at home can feel unusual somewhere else?
Drinking habits, the way people greet each other, or what’s open at night can suddenly stand out in surprising ways. They can make you laugh, leave you puzzled or turn into funny stories to share later.
These experiences, whether big or small, are what we often call “culture shock”.
We are Ying and Alice, international students at Laurentian University in Sudbury. Since moving to Canada, we’ve had our own culture shock moments, some confusing, some surprising, and many just plain funny.
To hear how others experienced it, we spoke with students from around the world. Their stories show that culture shock isn’t one big thing, but many small moments: honest, funny, and memorable.
Syed Yousaf Yamin, Bangladesh: Snow, the First Big Shock
“My name is Yousaf, and I came from Bangladesh to Sudbury in 2023. I had never seen snow before I came here.
“When I first arrived in Canada, even though I had friends here who gave me some advice, like what kind of jackets to wear, I still wasn’t really prepared for the cold. The moment I stepped out of the airport, that blast of freezing cold was a whole new experience.
“The cold was manageable, but getting around in heavy snow was tough. Without a car, I often waited long for the bus, or missed it and had to walk through snowstorms. But now, after living here for about a year and a half, I have adapted, especially compared to last year. I’m used to it now. It’s just part of life here.”
If you could bring one thing from home, what would it be?
“My family, it’s tough staying away from everyone.”
If snow was Yousaf’s challenge, for Renato from Peru, it was the long distances that stood out most.
Renato Zegarra, Peru: Too Big to Walk — Welcome to Sudbury
“My name is Renato, and I came from Peru to Sudbury in 2022. I came here for high school in 2022, and this year is my first year of university.
“When I first came, I found everything was so big! Back home, everything is close. I could walk to my friend’s house easily. But here, if you don’t have a car, everything feels so far. “It takes a long time to go to the grocery store or to the mall. Especially in winter, when it’s freezing and snowy, those long distances feel even harder.
”Another thing that surprised me is the crosswalks. In Peru, unless there’s a traffic light, cars don’t usually stop. You often have to run to cross the street. Here, drivers actually stop for you.”
If you could bring one thing from home, what would it be?
“My parents. I really miss them.”
While Renato struggled with distance, others were shocked by everyday habits.
Ying (Vivian) Wang, China: Hot Water Back Home, Ice Water Here
“My name is Vivian, and I came from China to Sudbury in 2024. Back home, hot water was part of everyday life, from home kitchens to school campuses.
“When I first went to a restaurant in Canada, it was a cold, rainy September day — almost like winter already. The server brought me a glass of ice water. I asked for hot water instead, and she looked at me like I was asking for soup without noodles.
“In China, we drink hot water all the time, even in summer, so it felt natural to me. The campuses only provide hot water, no drinking fountains. While here at school, it’s the opposite — only room-temperature drinking water, no hot water. That difference felt huge.”
If you could bring one thing from home, what would it be?
“Hot water as a regular drink — no tea bags attached!”
Lam Dong, Vietnam: Where Did All the Night Food Go?
“My name is Lam Dong, and I came from Vietnam to Sudbury in 2024. I really miss the late-night food from my hometown. It’s harder to find condiments for cooking, seafood isn’t always available, and vegetables can even cost more than meat.
“Copying and printing services aren’t very convenient either, since they’re tied to other businesses. Supermarkets and bookstores also close much earlier than back home.
“But what surprised me most were the quiet nights. In Vietnam, the streets stay alive with food stalls and people out late, while in Sudbury, they are almost empty by evening. That completely changed how I live day to day.”
If you could bring one thing from home, what would it be?
“Vietnamese street food stalls — open all night!”
Some shock came from systems themselves — from how schools involve parents to how health care works.
Jie (Alice) Zhou, China: Parent-Teacher Meeting: Not Just Listening
“My name is Alice, and I came from China to Sudbury in 2024. I first came to Canada in 2023 and spent a year in Toronto.
“In China, parent-teacher meetings are always one-way: the teacher talks and parents just listen. I’ll never forget that first meeting in Canada. The teacher clearly expected me to speak and share something about my child, but there was no report card, no script, I didn’t know what to say.
“Those 10 minutes felt like an hour. I realized things are different. Here, parents are expected to speak and participate, not just sit and listen. Now, I prepare a few questions in advance, and I am willing to take part in the conversation.”
If you could bring one thing from home, what would it be?
“My hometown’s traditional food — Dehui Barbecue.”
Anonymous, Afghanistan: Waiting Weeks to See a Doctor
“I came from Afghanistan to Sudbury in 2024. Back home, seeing a doctor was quick and easy, but here I discovered things work very differently.
“In Afghanistan, I could see a doctor the same day or the next, no appointment needed. Many medications, even antibiotics, were available directly from pharmacies. When I came to Canada, I quickly realized the system works differently.
“Here, I need to book an appointment in advance, and sometimes wait for weeks or even months. Health care is free, but non-urgent care takes time. I also learned that everyone needs a family doctor and a health card — things I never had to think about before.
“In emergencies, I can call 911, which doesn’t exist in Afghanistan. That was a big change for me.”
If you could bring one thing from home, what would it be?
“I don’t really know. I don’t have anything in mind.”
Culture shock isn’t only about systems and rules; it also shows up in how people treat each other.
Odirin Oghene, Nigeria: Are Canadians Really This Nice?
“My name is Patrick, and I was born in Nigeria, West Africa. I left when I was 11 and came to Sudbury in 1997. I’ve now lived here for more than 28 years, so I grew up partly in Nigeria and mostly in Canada.
“Sometimes Canadians are really nice — so nice that at first it was confusing for me. I didn’t know if someone was just being polite because they wanted to be polite, if they truly meant it for me, or if that’s just how they are with everybody.
“They are warm and open, and they go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. That was surprising, because I wasn’t used to that kind of everyday niceness back home. “At first, I never knew how to judge it — if it was too much or not enough — but over time I realized it’s just part of Canadian culture.”
If you could bring one thing from home, what would it be?
“My mom’s Nigerian dishes.”
Politeness is one part of social life, but language and confidence are just as important.
Trecy Osango, Congo: From Silence to Speaking Up
“My name is Trecy, and I came from Congo to Sudbury in 2023. I miss the social life back home, where everyone felt included.
“When I first came, English was not my first language. I speak French. At the beginning, it was very hard for me to express myself. I was shy and didn’t talk much. But I was lucky to live in a residence, and I made some very good friends. They helped me a lot. They taught me how to speak English better.
“I also worked hard. I practiced speaking and listened to others every day. Now, my English is not perfect, but I think it’s pretty good. Most importantly, I feel more confident!”
If you could bring one thing from home, what would it be?
“The social life — everyone being included, no matter where they’re from.”
After hearing these stories, it’s clear that culture shock isn’t just one thing. Sometimes it shows up in snow and slippery streets, sometimes in food or language, and sometimes in simple gestures of politeness.
For local readers, these stories are reminders of how ordinary habits here, like ice water or quiet evenings, can feel so different to newcomers.
If you’ve driven down Paris Street in Sudbury, you’ve probably seen the Bridge of Nations, with dozens of colourful flags from around the world. The next time you cross that bridge, take a moment to imagine the stories behind those flags, small shocks and little surprises, all woven into the fabric of the city.
Ying (Vivian) Wang and Jie (Alice) Zhou are MBA students at Laurentian University. As newcomers to Canada and mothers, they are deeply interested in education, cultural transition and the immigrant experience. By listening and storytelling, they hope to build understanding across cultures.