If your children have come along with you to the United States, then they will have to attend American schools throughout your stay in the country. But before you start buying school supplies, take note: Going to schools in America is a different experience compared to studying in the Philippines, so you will need to understand how the system works and how much time your child needs to complete their education. Luckily, we’re here to help.
Filipinos have long been part of the American landscape, and with names like Eva Noblezada, Olivia Rodrigo, Saweetie, and Darren Criss making rounds online, we now have people telling our stories on-screen. Filipino-Americans have even made waves in American politics, lending a voice to Filipinos in America looking for someone on their side. While there are already many listicles that have already highlighted Filipino American celebrities, we wanted to honour some more Filipinos who have found success after leaving the Philippines and starting over as citizens in the United States.
From a humble group of Filipina nurses in the 1960s, the Filipino community in Toronto has grown to over 250,000 people, composing 62% of the entire Filipino-Canadian population. Today, Pinoys are a permanent fixture in Toronto’s cultural mosaic. They are bustling people, who help each other adjust to culture shock and manoeuvre life in their new home in The Great White North.
You have settled down and unpacked in Canada, your new home, and you’re ready to start a life of growth and adventure in this huge North American country, but you’ve noticed that apart from its different sights, sounds, and smells, The Great White North also has a culture that needs your respect and attention.
While British culture may seem alien to a newly arrived overseas Filipino worker (OFW) like you, you may be surprised to learn that British people are more similar than you think. From their highly contextual communication style to their use of humour to deliver tough news, British people interact in a way that’s familiar to Filipinos.
Before you pack your bags and move to the United States, it’ll be good to do your research so you can get to know American culture. Getting familiar with the culture even before you reach your new country will help with your adjustment. It will also help you understand why people in America act and think the way they do, and it will help you spot similarities and points of connection between your home culture and American culture as well as differences that you may want to incorporate in your own way of life.