By Stella Igweamaka
Titi, a recent immigrant in Edmonton, Alberta, found herself yearning for the familiar banter
after a long day with her friend back in Lagos, Nigeria. Attempting a late-night call, she realized
the significant time difference, leaving her once again feeling isolated in a city where she had
spent almost a year trying to build connections. Titi faced the common challenge many
immigrants encounter — the struggle to build a social community from scratch.
Nearly a year had passed since she moved to Edmonton, and she had been longing for the
company of her friends from back home. Connecting with people had proven challenging since
her move. Most of her days were spent at her remote work, with her most substantial journey
often limited to moving from her bed to her workstation in the past six months. Despite attending church and occasional grocery shopping, Titi still felt a sense of invisibility.
In the first quarter of 2023 alone, Canada welcomed 145,417 immigrants, marking record-setting
population growth spurred by immigration, according to the Toronto Star. However, beyond the
challenges of settling into a new country, the less obvious hurdle is finding and belonging to a
community. A study by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the Conference Board of
Canada revealed a 31% rise in the number of immigrants leaving Canada between 2017 and
2019, with a significant factor being the lack of a sense of belonging.
Titi’s story mirrors the experiences of many newcomers who grapple with loneliness and the
difficulty of forming connections in a foreign land. Festivals like Christmas, Easter, and
Thanksgiving can be particularly tough or alienating for newcomers, as they often grapple with feelings of loneliness during these traditional celebrations.
Over the years, loneliness has been closely tied to depression, and in a foreign land, the
challenge of establishing meaningful social connections becomes even more pronounced. As
individuals leave their home countries, the need for a supportive community becomes essential.
But the question persists: how does one go about building such a community, and where does
one begin?
In a recent study published in the Canadian Ethnic Studies journal, immigrants expressed a
desire for more social opportunities in their new communities. Starting from ground zero, they often find it challenging to recreate the social connections they once took for granted.
However, here are practical steps and quick wins that newcomers can employ to bridge this gap.
Research and Join Existing Communities: In the age of social media and digital
accessibility, newcomers can leverage online platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp
to discover existing communities. A simple search for your diaspora’s Facebook groups and their microblogging platforms has the potential to reveal a rich network of social connections and conversations. Yet, it’s important not to stop there—take an additional step by engaging in events organized by various communities. Generation1.ca is a fabulous community, free to join, and home to diverse newcomers looking for professional social connections and valuable resources and tools for success, especially those with a thirst for innovation. Join their next event or career fair and get inspired and connected by all that is happening in business, culture, tech and society.
Explore Places of Worship: Attend local places of worship to connect with
like-minded individuals who share your beliefs and values. However, it’s essential to go
beyond being a passive attendee—make a conscious effort to join subgroups, volunteer,
and participate in various events or activities within these communities.
Lean on Old Friends and Colleagues: Statistics reveal a rising trend of immigrants
choosing Canada as their new home, and this will only keep growing. It’s highly probable that some of your former colleagues or neighbours have also chosen to settle in the same city. Utilize your existing connections or community networks to locate individuals in your province. Take it a step further by initiating contact and scheduling a coffee meet-up with these acquaintances or
rekindle relationships.
Don’t Overlook the Aisle or Daycare/School Pick-Up Axis: Forge connections with
fellow shoppers in the international foods aisle and establish relationships with parents
during daycare or school pick-ups. The international foods aisle is a fantastic space for
meeting new people. As highlighted in a report in the journal of Canadian Ethnic Studies,
participants emphasized that the presence of international foods in grocery stores made
them feel valued. In addition, have you thought about connecting with other parents when
picking up your child from daycare or school? That’s food for thought for you.
Rethinking Local Conferences and Work Events: If you have considered work events or
conferences as potentially tedious and difficult for fostering connections, it’s worth
changing your viewpoint. In a 2021 article in the Harvard Business Review by Tomas
Chamorro-Premuzic and Katarina Berg, they emphasize that work goes beyond mere
productivity; it’s a platform for meaningful interactions that add value to our lives.
Numerous stories exist of individuals forming lifelong friendships through work. During
such gatherings, actively reaching out to connect with others is essential for building your
social community. Attend Generation1.ca’s career-enhancing conferences as well.
Explore the Athletes’ Cool Club: If you are into sports or enjoy games, consider joining
community leagues nearby or incorporating a gym routine into your lifestyle. Local
recreation centers offer programs designed to promote social connections. Participating in
group training sessions, such as HIIT or Zumba classes, could provide excellent
opportunities for you to become part of a community.
Intentionality: Once you have found a community or made a new friend, sustaining the
connection requires intentionality. Consistently check in, share recipes, and reciprocate
gestures. If you are invited to a baby shower or other community events or activities,
consider volunteering to play a role in the planning community to further solidify your
connections.
Creating a social community from the ground up is unquestionably difficult. However, by putting
in intentional efforts and adopting strategic approaches, newcomers can discover and grow a sense of belonging and form meaningful connections in their new environment.
The writer thanks Toyin Adeyanju and Melody Balou for their contributions to the article. Stella Igweamaka holds an MBA from the University of Lagos in Nigeria. She is passionate about using research and storytelling for impactful change and was recently featured on CBC News for her work with Black Canadian Women in Action on the Adultification of Black girls in Canada. You can find more of her work on http://www.stellaigweamaka.com.
