--- title: "Why Does Everyone Keep Saying Sorry?" type: "blog" space: "International Student Support" author: "Krishma Devendrabhai Chhagani" created: 2025-02-07T08:55:59Z updated: 2025-02-22T18:34:07Z tags: ["international-students", "ISS", "krishma's-survival-guide"] url: "https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/283/international-student-support/blogs/general/15703/why-does-everyone-keep-saying-sorry" --- # Why Does Everyone Keep Saying Sorry? *People crave food, music, and familiar faces.* *For me, it was the obnoxious regional ads.* When I first moved to Canada, I was casually listening to Spotify when I heard an advertisement in English. No dramatic jingles, no over-the-top wedding sale promos. Just a calm voice selling car insurance. It was then that I realized I actually missed those ridiculously annoying Hindi ads. ### A Teenage Bestseller \(Almost\) Like any teenager who thinks she’s about to write the next bestselling book, I started keeping a list of everything that felt *off*. Nov 17, 2021 – I miss pickles and Indian sweets from my favorite store. Dec 7, 2021 – Everyone keeps asking why I have cotton in my ears \(to prevent cold\). Jan 20, 2022 – Lays chips here taste like wafers with some random masala. Feb 21, 2022 – I miss terraces. Why don’t houses here have terraces? And the list kept growing. Why is tax not included in the marked price? How am I supposed to call my professors by their first name? Why do restaurants close so early? At first, these little things don’t seem like a big deal. But when they start piling up, you wonder, *does it ever get better?* Turns out…I was just in Stage 2 of culture shock. ### The 5 Stages of Culture Shock I’m not here to throw a textbook definition at you, but trust me, knowing these stages helps you understand what you’re going through and how to deal with it. #### Stage 1: "Canada is amazing!"  Honeymoon stage - everything is new and exciting! You’re romanticizing your study-abroad journey, taking aesthetic snow pictures, and discovering cute cafés. *Best decision ever, right?* #### Stage 2: "Wait… Canada is kinda weird." Negotiation stage - the novelty wears off. You start noticing the differences, and suddenly, they *bother* you. Why is milk in bags? Why do people wear shorts in the snow? Why is everyone so polite! #### Stage 3: "Okay, maybe Canada isn’t that bad." Adjustment stage - you start figuring things out. Maybe you’ve found a grocery store that sells food from back home, or maybe you’ve finally stopped converting CAD into your home currency \(*well, almost*\). #### Stage 4: "Canada is home."  Adaptation stage - you’ve built a life here. You have a routine. Things feel normal. You’ve even started saying “thank you” to the bus driver! #### Stage 5: "Home is not home anymore."  Re-entry shock - ever played *Snakes & Ladders*? Just when you think you’ve won, you land on a snake and slide back down. That’s Stage 5. You go back home after a long time, and suddenly, you feel like a foreigner in your own country. The roads seem smaller, the traffic louder, and you *miss Canada.* It’s weird. But the good news? You re-adapt much faster the second time. ### How to Survive Culture Shock Culture shock can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Here are some ways to make the transition smoother: #### Make your space feel like home  Your room is your safe space. Decorate it with things that remind you of home. Photos, fairy lights, a cozy blanket, or even your favorite snacks can make a big difference. #### Stay connected Homesickness is real, but staying in touch helps. Call your family and friends, and play online games like *Skribbl.io* or *Plato* together. Time zones suck, but a quick check-in can do wonders. #### Explore your new home Canada may feel unfamiliar now, but the more you explore, the more it’ll start to feel like yours. Join Seneca’s cultural tours, take a fun [liberal studies course](https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/school/els/courses/liberal-studies-courses.html), or try poutine \(*just once*\). #### Get involved on campus The easiest way to make friends? Put yourself out there. Follow [*Student Life*](https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/219/get-involved-with-student-life/home) and [*SSF*](https://ssfinc.ca/) for on and off-campus events and activities. Be part of various [*SSF Clubs*](https://clubs.ssfinc.ca/home_login) *and organizations like* [*Enactus Seneca*](https://www.instagram.com/enactussenecapolytechnic/)*and*[*SLAFS*](https://www.instagram.com/senecaslafs/) to find a community that gets it. You can also drop by the *[Peer 2 Peer lounges](https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/219/get-involved-with-student-life/blogs/general/15668/welcome-back-to-the-p2p-lounge-get-ready-for-an-exciting-winter-2025)* to connect with your peers. #### Ask for help when you need it There is always support available; you just need to ask for it. Here is a list of resources and support services for you to tap into: ↳  [WeConnect](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.dialogue.co%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckrishma-devendrabhai.chhagani%40senecapolytechnic.ca%7Cc4682504c8e14907d52508dd478e98a3%7Ceb34f74a58e74a8b9e59433e4c412757%7C0%7C0%7C638745400251045613%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cKkpAk%2BVeQZ79hysz10ayDoEud95TIh2OkfY%2BGp7jVg%3D&reserved=0) – 24/7 crisis support in the language of your choice. ↳ [Counselling Services](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstudents.senecapolytechnic.ca%2Fspaces%2F294%2Fcounselling-services%2Fhome&data=05%7C02%7Ckrishma-devendrabhai.chhagani%40senecapolytechnic.ca%7Cc4682504c8e14907d52508dd478e98a3%7Ceb34f74a58e74a8b9e59433e4c412757%7C0%7C0%7C638745400251029665%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LuqgBqeCo74moY5opgy8Q5OTnZfK4tPXNDfF8hbc098%3D&reserved=0) – For academic stress, personal challenges, and mental health. ↳ [Peer Mentoring Program](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmentoring.senecapolytechnic.ca%2F%3F_gl%3D1*1ug3ono*_gcl_au*MTcwOTUxMTc0Ni4xNzM0Mzc2NTA4*_ga*MTkxNjQ3MDAyMi4xNzE4NzI3NTE3*_ga_NKW0CZJEK5*MTczODkzMzY3Ny41MzUuMS4xNzM4OTMzNjg3LjUwLjAuMTA4Mjk3MzA3OA..&data=05%7C02%7Ckrishma-devendrabhai.chhagani%40senecapolytechnic.ca%7Cc4682504c8e14907d52508dd478e98a3%7Ceb34f74a58e74a8b9e59433e4c412757%7C0%7C0%7C638745400250997043%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0%2BlC9c3j1G6T13EQAKeIH1GXkqgaMjbEzlQao35k1IM%3D&reserved=0) – Get guidance from students who’ve been in your shoes. ↳ [Student Support Groups](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstudents.senecapolytechnic.ca%2Fspaces%2F219%2Fget-involved-with-student-life%2Fblogs%2Fgeneral%2F11123%2Fseneca-student-support-group&data=05%7C02%7Ckrishma-devendrabhai.chhagani%40senecapolytechnic.ca%7Cc4682504c8e14907d52508dd478e98a3%7Ceb34f74a58e74a8b9e59433e4c412757%7C0%7C0%7C638745400251016648%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dmQmOudFkJZANJcdRydktVi3mbBdm3IkWCxJsVnL2xI%3D&reserved=0)– Meet people who share your identity, experiences, and background in a welcoming space. At the end of the day, adjusting takes time. Some days will be great, others will be difficult, but every step you take is part of your journey. ### The Ultimate Question So, does culture shock ever go away? Short answer? Not really. Even after four years, I still have moments when something feels off. When I miss home, or when I’m just tired of doing mental math to add tax at checkout. But do you know what helps me overcome it? Purpose. I chose this path. I am here for a reason. And that reason is what pushes me forward, even on the hardest days. So, ask yourself - what is your purpose? Figure that out, and the rest will fall into place. ~~~~ Next blog, *“Conquering Canadian Winter Without Turning into a Popsicle,"* publishing on Saturday, February 22nd. PS. To answer the title question, yes, people living in Canada say “sorry” *a lot*. Sometimes they mean it. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes, they just say it to remove awkwardness. It’s less of an apology and more of a social reflex. And trust me, before you know it, you’ll start doing it too! :\)