Flora Lan

Growing up in the fast-paced environment of China, Flora keeps her busy lifestyle going even after moving to her new home in London. Between attending English-language classes, expanding her knowledge of computers, gardening, and various other activities, Flora dedicates her time to teaching Tai-Chi and exercise to seniors as well as volunteering at multiple centres across the city. “I’m very happy. It feels like sometimes you can do charity and donate money but I said that I have no money to donate, so I can just volunteer.”
Flora is thankful for all the help she received from the community, and observes, “I thought I can give back and this is my way to give back to people. It’s very important for me.”
Flora explained that listening and speaking English was totally different than reading and writing. People speak fast, which makes it hard for her to catch on. She has been studying the English-language for over four years, and every day still offers opportunities for learning. Flora’s advice to newcomers is to participate in community programs, especially ones that allow them to practice speaking English.
Though Canadians may speak fast, they are never in too much of a rush to lend a helping hand. Flora says she appreciates the care that the community has for each other. “When I came here I thought the people were so good. They help you and they care about you and if I am cycling on the street and fall down, a car will stop to try to help me but I wave to say ‘it’s ok.’ Everybody cares about you.” Flora explains she is pleasantly surprised by this, as she is so used to people in China being too focused on their jobs to care. Part of the reason she moved her family to Canada was to allow her son to focus on other activities in school besides education. “Everything is focused on school and not on other activities, just how much schooling they get.”
Flora is happy to be able to learn, grow, and give back to the people who gave her the opportunity.
So what does being Canadian mean to Flora? “To be Canadian means, to me, loyalty, honesty, kindness, and peace.”

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