Fostering Friendships and Cultural Exchange Through Volunteerism

“It really was the perfect match,” said Jinny about her connection with Jin through the Community Connections One-on-One Matching program at Archway.

Jinny is a Canadian-born Korean who has been a volunteer with the One-on-One Matching program for the past three years. She was matched with Jin, a newcomer from Korea who had very limited English when she first arrived in Canada in 2018.

When Jin first arrived in Abbotsford, she was introduced to the Community Connections program at Archway which offers a variety of ways to help newcomers integrate into the community including conversation circles, classes, networking events, and the one-on-one matching program.

Jin was happy to find a job as a cook in Canada soon after arriving, which aligned with her 17 years’ work experience as a chef in Korea. But her job’s changing shift schedule meant that she could no longer commit to the weekly Conversation Circles program which helps newcomers learn English in a group format.

To help her continue learning English, Jin was referred to the One-on-One Matching program.

“Jinny was so flexible with my schedule, so I could improve my English,” said Jin.

Jinny was looking for productive ways to spend her time during the early months of the pandemic and found the program while searching for volunteer opportunities online.

“I think it was a perfect volunteer opportunity for me because of my past experience as a private tutor and experience teaching students who are learning English as a second language. I really was matched with the perfect person, and it’s been a great volunteer experience overall.”

The Community Connections One-on-One Matching program facilitates meaningful relationships between newcomers to Canada and enthusiastic volunteers.

“We take care to find perfect matches for volunteers and clients based on their personal goals, schedule and interests. This program helps newcomers like Jin make a connection in their new community so they can feel comfortable and confident navigating their new environment,” said Community Engagement Coordinator Lata Aggarwal.

Jin not only improved her English, but also learned about Canadian culture, how to navigate government application processes, and even fun places to spend time with her children.

“I always enjoyed cherry picking in the Okanagan with my family as a kid, so I recommended it to Jin and she also took her family there to experience our Canadian summers,” said Jinny.

Jinny also appreciated learning so much more about her own Korean culture from Jin.

“It really is a cultural exchange between two people. The volunteers are learning as much from the clients as the clients are learning from their volunteer match,” said Lata.

Continued Support

Jin and Jinny have been matched for the past three years, so Jinny’s volunteer commitment has technically been fulfilled. After university graduation, Jinny plans to move to Korea to teach English classes, but she still intends on meeting weekly with Jin virtually to support her path to learning English.

“I think it’s so commendable of Jinny to have committed for over three years not just during COVID, but after things started opening up again, and throughout her UBC undergraduate studies. Especially now that she’s moving to Korea, I think it speaks a lot about the commitment of our volunteers and of Jinny specifically,” said Lata.

Jin and Jinny have forged a deep connection that goes beyond the traditional roles of teacher and student; Jin truly sees Jinny as a friend.

Jinny enthusiastically recommends the program to anyone interested in participating in this enriching and rewarding volunteer experience.

“It’s a great opportunity to connect with another person from a different country. You can learn more about their culture and support someone in their English learning journey.”