Lionel Laroche is a geophysicist who immigrated to Canada from France. He discusses how understanding Canadian culture can help immigrants prosper. Key aspects of Canadian culture include individualism, flexibility, and soft skills like communication and influence. Laroche recommends immigrants balance technical skills with soft skills to succeed. He also suggests finding a cultural mentor to help with adaptation. With the right approach, immigrants can prosper in Canada, as 30% of the richest people are immigrants themselves.

1. Mühendislik Bilimlerinde
Özel Konular
MUBİ9035 - Mühendislik Bilimleri Bölümü
İstanbul Üniversitesi

2. How to prosper in CanadaHow to prosper in Canada
Ali O. OncelAli O. Oncel
GeophysicistGeophysicist
Laroche’s Perspective

3. The more books we read by Lionel Laroche the more
we will learn about how to prosper with our challenging
lives in Canada.
Source for the books: http://www.amazon.com/

4. Who is LionelWho is Lionel LarocheLaroche??
 Question:Question: Why did you become an IMMIGRANT?Why did you become an IMMIGRANT?
 Answer:Answer: ““ I did my Ph.D. in the U.S. – I studied atI did my Ph.D. in the U.S. – I studied at
the California Institute of Technology. There, I metthe California Institute of Technology. There, I met
a Canadian lady and we got married in 1990. Wea Canadian lady and we got married in 1990. We
both looked for jobs in Canada and in France, butboth looked for jobs in Canada and in France, but
she could not find a job in France, so we ended upshe could not find a job in France, so we ended up
in Toronto. I came here because we wanted toin Toronto. I came here because we wanted to
have good jobs in the same city and her professionhave good jobs in the same city and her profession
was not easily transferable (she was a planetarywas not easily transferable (she was a planetary
scientist)scientist).”.”
Source: Personal communication with Lionel Laroche,

5. Canadian PerspectiveCanadian Perspective
 The way you look at yourself may beThe way you look at yourself may be
different than the way others see you, sodifferent than the way others see you, so
you must try to understand how Canadiansyou must try to understand how Canadians
see you.see you.
 Language is important to learn so you canLanguage is important to learn so you can
have the ability to choose the right word inhave the ability to choose the right word in
the right situation and become a morethe right situation and become a more
influential person in Canadian society.influential person in Canadian society.

6. Why is CanadaWhy is Canada
different?different?
 In-Canada:In-Canada: Students face each otherStudents face each other
because there is importance on learningbecause there is importance on learning
form one another; student to student. Theform one another; student to student. The
role of the teacher is to coordinate androle of the teacher is to coordinate and
promote teaching.promote teaching.
 Outside of CanadaOutside of Canada : Students generally: Students generally
face the teacher since the teacher is theface the teacher since the teacher is the
source of information.source of information.

7. Invisible Cultural DifferencesInvisible Cultural Differences
 Punctual time:Punctual time:
 If one is lateIf one is late five minutesfive minutes for anfor an
appointment, that is fine for Canadians.appointment, that is fine for Canadians.
Don’t beDon’t be SORRY.SORRY.
 If it is acceptable for you to be over 20If it is acceptable for you to be over 20
minutes late for a meeting in your culture,minutes late for a meeting in your culture,
you need to know that thisyou need to know that this will not bewill not be
toleratedtolerated well by Canadians.well by Canadians.

8. Source: http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/
http://www.amazon.com/Canada-Peoples-History-Vol-1/dp/0771033400
Can we understand Canadian?Can we understand Canadian?
 Watch movies by Canadians about Canada
Some recommended movies:Some recommended movies:
 Canada-A People’s HistoryCanada-A People’s History
 The Greatest Canadian by CBCThe Greatest Canadian by CBC

9. Canadian Manager?Canadian Manager?
 Canadian Manager:Canadian Manager: Feeling more freeFeeling more free
on the work you are responsible for.on the work you are responsible for.
More flexibility but higherMore flexibility but higher
responsibility.responsibility.
 Off-North American Manager:Off-North American Manager:
Manager will direct your work. Risk-Manager will direct your work. Risk-
free position.free position.

10. Individualism(%)Individualism(%)
Source: MCB Solutions- modified after Lionel LarocheSource: MCB Solutions- modified after Lionel Laroche

11. Individuality versus CollectivityIndividuality versus Collectivity
Canadians are one of the mostCanadians are one of the most
individualist societies in the world.individualist societies in the world.
For example;For example;
a)a) Canadian waitressCanadian waitress - Individuality: She- Individuality: She
is responsible for the table. Sheis responsible for the table. She
serves for the table she was assigned.serves for the table she was assigned.
b)b) Non-Canadian WaitressNon-Canadian Waitress - Collectivity:- Collectivity:
she helps with all the tables at all timesshe helps with all the tables at all times

12. Soft Skills?Soft Skills?
 CommunicationCommunication
 MeetingsMeetings
 NegotiatingNegotiating
 Influence peopleInfluence people
 ManageManage
 LeadershipLeadershipSee more detail from http://www.softskillsforsuccess.com/

13. Hierarchy
(%)How large is Canadian Hierarchy ?How large is Canadian Hierarchy ?
Source: MCB Solutions- Modified after Lionel LarocheSource: MCB Solutions- Modified after Lionel Laroche

14. Can I prosper in Canada?Can I prosper in Canada?
 If immigrants balance their technical skills toIf immigrants balance their technical skills to
their soft skills,their soft skills, they can be successful inthey can be successful in
Canada.Canada.
 30% of Canada's richest people are30% of Canada's richest people are
immigrants while the immigrant population isimmigrants while the immigrant population is
only about 21%only about 21%

15. Do you have a Cultural Mentor?Do you have a Cultural Mentor?
 Helps with your adaptation.Helps with your adaptation.
 Increases your success inIncreases your success in
Canada.Canada.

16. Feedback
Modified data after the Jasper workshop, Nov 17 -2008
How will you determine how bad the situation is?
• Let’s go for coffee.
• Do you have a few minutes?
• We need to talk.
• Let’s come to my office.
• We need to do these things.
Light
You are fired !
Medium
Larger
Small

17. ConclusionConclusion
Prosperity (P)
6 yrs < P < 12 yrs

18. AcknowledgementAcknowledgement
 We appreciateWe appreciate the Canadian Governmentthe Canadian Government
very much for the learner conference, andvery much for the learner conference, and
Karen BradleyKaren Bradley for her great support forfor her great support for
helping organize such kind of presentation.helping organize such kind of presentation.
My appreciation is extended toMy appreciation is extended to Dr. LionelDr. Lionel
LarocheLaroche who provided his presentation, andwho provided his presentation, and
Todd OdgersTodd Odgers for his quick review of thefor his quick review of the
presentation.presentation.