Samar Makhoul has built a new life in Richmond Hill with her husband Bebla and two children after fleeing war-torn Syria four years ago.
She and her family first learned of the option to immigrate to Canada when the couple arrived in Tartus, inspiring Samar’s brother Wasseem to immigrate there as well. Their biggest challenge on arrival was a lack of connection; the language barrier and a small social network made it difficult for the newcomers to adjust. The Welcome Centre Immigration Services and Richmond Hill United Church have helped Samar meet people and learn English.
The York region of Ontario has become a popular destination for immigrants to settle, as the 2016 census shows 1,300 self-identifying Syrians residing in the area.
The region’s increasing diversity has made it easier for Syrians to connect with others who share the same cultural background, but Wasseem warns that it’s often too easy for immigrants to get stuck in their comfort zone and advises them to take a chance on branching out: “Don’t lock yourself in your own ethnic group. Go socialized [sic]. Be nice to people.”