I didn't really know of any associations that were around that could help me initially but after getting married, we were involved with the Soong Yee Association. They were a group of people that were from the same part of my "homeland" that had come together to support one another. There were social gatherings, different sports and classes to learn, and even had scholarship for our kids. It was almost like a community centre. Other than that - nothing else.
Without much knowledge of Canadian associations that could ease their transition - my mother was an independent woman that did not really want to rely on many people. She believes that hard work and perseverance can get you where you want and I truly look up to that. With much of her time, my mother spent it on making a living and caring for her children and so her social circles are definitely small. A lot of the times, she sees me enjoying things that she had never had the chance to do. I had the opportunity to go to UBC, go on exchange to Spain, and expand my skills through the various social groups and activities that I take part in. At first, It was hard for her to understand why I do all these things but now, she realizes that the social aspect of my life is what she worked hard for.
When I asked her why she didn't join any other Chinese associations that would have made her transition more fluid like: SUCCESS. All she said is that people take different paths in their life and the one she took worked out just fine.
