Citizenship and Immigration
Canada and the University of Toronto have
developed an information packed web site.
Its aim is to provide viewers with cultural
profiles of people immigrating to Canada.
Neighbors and volunteer hosts can better
help newcomers adapt to Canadian life if
they have an appreciation of the country
and lifestyle of the new immigrant. Canada
encourages non-profit organizations to
act as hosts and help newly arrived people
to adapt to their new surroundings.
As
a web site for Canadians to better appreciate the challenges
newly arrived people must face to integrate in the
Canadian society, it does its job well. But, as an
information source for English and French speaking
people around the world it is superb. Unlike the U.S.
CIA World Factbook that is primarily a comprehensive
resource of facts and statistics, Canada’s Cultural
Profiles provide an overview of life and customs in
each profiled country. About 100 countries are represented
on the site.
Each country profile has sections on landscape
and climate, history, living at home and at work,
sports and recreation, health care, education,
religion, communications and religion. Food sections
abound with pictures and recipes as well as what
is commonly served to eat and drink at family tables.
Perhaps as important is that which is not. The
country profiles also detail the national holidays
and how they are celebrated.
You will find short, well written
pieces throughout the site. They are not only
informative but have
a style and substance not frequently found in statistical
summaries or most travel books. Sections on the
arts and literature and links to web sites with
more detailed information make these cultural profiles
web site a good place to start when meeting and “getting
to know” people across the globe.
Take a good look at this treasure and enjoy a
simple, well executed web site with usefulness
far beyond its original intent.
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