It can be hard to adjust to a foreign culture in a foreign country. For junior and senior high students, it is difficult to integrate into a strange land. However, things can go awry. A few years ago, a student came from China to study in Canada. She had never been separated from her parents for more than a couple days, and so was not used to spending time alone. She missed her friends and her family that remained in China and stayed up all night messaging and chatting with them. As a result, her grades suffered, her health dropped, and her guardian family could not handle her. Eventually, she disappeared and has not been found since. While this is an extreme case, it could have been prevented if she had a friend and guide of a similar age, or a counselor to lead her through this difficult period of adjustment. International students can often feel out of place, since they may not have a firm grasp of English, or do not understand the school system and the subjects that they teach, as well as feeling alone, surrounded by people who have lived in Canada all their lives. In addition, they may feel lonely, since most of them are leaving behind their friends and family for the first time. LinkCC strives to aid these international students, and assist them in adjusting to Canadian life and culture.
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