Context: Malaysia is a multicultural society. Malaysia has many different cultures, like Malay, Indian, and Chinese. It is often referred to a "salad bowl" because people from different races and cultures live together but still keep their own traditions, languages, and religions.

My dad is part of the chinese ethnic group --  so he is known as Malaysian Chinese

My name is Rachel,  I have 3 sisters, two being older, and one being younger. me and my sisters are considered second-generation Canadians.

My dad was born in Malaysia and immigrated to canada in 1997 when he was just 17 years old. He immigrated alone, became a permanent resident, and eventually became a citizen; because of his courage and hard work, I was born in canada and raised in a new country with many opportunities.

PUSH FACTORS - Why My Dad Left Malaysia.

Before coming to canada, my dad faced many struggles in Malaysia that made life difficult and limited his future.

Here are some of the main reasons why my Dad chose to leave Malaysia.

PUSH FACTORS - Why My Dad Left Malaysia.

             1. lack of job opportunities

My dad had a hard time finding a job in Malaysia. There weren't many chances for young people like him to get a good job and support themselves.

PUSH FACTORS - Why My Dad Left Malaysia.

             2. unreliable government

In the 1990s, Malaysia was going through some political problems. There were protests and the government wasn't very stable. My dad didn't feel safe or confident about what the future would be like if he stayed. He wanted to live in a country where life was more stable and fair, so he chose to move to canada.

PUSH FACTORS - Why My Dad Left Malaysia.

                    3. unfair treatment

In Malaysia, my dad didn't always feel and get treated the same as others because of his background. Some people had more rights or got better chances just because of their race or religion. He wanted to live in a country where everyone has equal rights and opportunities.

PULL FACTORS: Why He Came To Canada.

Even though moving was scary, canada offered many good reasons that gave him hope for a better life.

PULL FACTORS: Why He Came To Canada.

           1. more job opportunities

Canada had many job openings, even for newcomers. My dad believed this was a place where he could finally earn money, support himself and become independent.

PULL FACTORS: Why He Came To Canada.

            2. everyone treated equally

Canada has people of many different races, cultures, and identities. Everyone was accepted and treated the same, no matter where you came from.

PULL FACTORS: Why He Came To Canada.

               3. higher quality of life

My dad wanted to live somewhere clean, healthy, fair, and full of opportunities. Canada offered a high standard of living, with strong public services like healthcare and education, low crime rates, and a stable political environment which makes it one of the safest countries in the world to live in.

My dad immigrated to canada alone in 1997 when he was 17 years old, he came through the independent class.

That means he didn't come with family or a job waiting. It was a brave and difficult decision.

The Immigration Journey.

Starting a new life in Canada wasn't easy. My dad faced serious challenges when he first arrived, such as...

The Challenges Of Immigration:

The Challenges Of Immigration.

         1. language barrier

When my dad arrived, he didn't speak english or french, they weren't his first languages. It was very hard to understand people, get around, fill out forms, and even ask for help.

Another big challenge was being alone, he didn't have any family or friends in canada, my dad had to adapt to the new country and do everything by himself.

The Challenges Of Immigration.

               2. being alone

although there were difficulties, my dad also found many benefits after moving to canada that helped him grow and succeed.

The Benefits Of Moving To Canada:

   The Benefits Of Moving To Canada

       1. Better Job Opportunities

In canada, he was able to find work and earn enough money to support himself and his future family. It was easier to find a stable job compared to back home.

My dad found a job fairly easy at chinatown, working in a supermarket.. A decade later he owned a thai restaurant with a close friend for 3 years straight while balancing family life (my 2 older sisters were born). Now he is a supervisor chef in one of the most popular thai restaurants in toronto, 'PAI'.

       The Benefits Of Moving To Canada

                 2. Safer Environment

Canada was much safer than Malaysia at the time. He felt more secure living her and didn't have to worry as much about crime or an unstable government.

These 8 characteristics come from traditional chinese culture, but have been modified and shaped by life in malaysia. That's what makes it unique to malaysian chinese people, like my dad.

MALAYSIAN CHINESE CULTURE

1. Multilingual Use. 

My dad can fluently speak Mandarin Cantonese, and a little English. In my household we all speak to each other in English, Cantonese, and a little Mandarin.

Chinese Malaysians often speak multiple languages, which includes...

Mandarin, Cantonese, Chinese dialects, Malay, and English. They often mix languages in daily conversations.

Char Kway Teow is a popular street food dish from Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Singapore, known for its stir-fried flat rice noodles and bold, savory flavor.

Dim sum is a traditional Cantonese brunch style, it's a large range of small Chinese dishes including dumplings, steamed buns, and various other savory and sweet snacks; Traditionally enjoyed in restaurants for brunch.

2. Food.

Yong tau foo is a Hakka Chinese dish featuring stuffed tofu and vegetables a popular street food in Malaysia.

Bak kut teh is a popular Chinese-Malaysian dish that literally translating to "meat bone tea" in Hokkien. It consists of pork pork ribs simmered in a flavorful broth with herbs and spices.

Its a very easy dish to prepare, my family eats this often, perfectly paired with a bowl of rice.

3. Festivals/Celebration.

Chinese New Years (lunar new years), Qingming, and the mid-Autumn Festival is widely celebrated with prayers, food, fireworks, red envelopes, and family reunions .

Chinese New Year celebrates the start of the lunar calendar and brings wishes for luck and happiness.

Qingming Festival is a day to honor and remember ancestors by visiting and cleaning their graves.

Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the full moon and family unity, with people eating mooncakes and enjoying time together.