Page 8 - The Place We Call Home Flipbook_Neat

A Feeling of Belonging

Olivia Wu and her family are newcomers to

Middlesex County, having lived in Strathroy-Caradoc for

only 5 months. She works as a Medical Radiation

Technologist at Strathroy-Middlesex General Hospital. She

and her family moved to Middlesex County for two reasons:

first, to be closer to the hospital she works at, and second

because her husband’s work is very close to this area,

making it easier for both to drive to work.

Olivia faced many barriers in her move from a small,

but very crowded city in China to London ON, and then

to Strathroy. One of the most significant barriers was the

language, and she overcame it by pushing herself out of her

comfort zone with the help of her family and the supportive

community.

For Olivia, the added advantages of living in Middlesex

County include a less crowded area and friendlier people

who want to build strong connections. She notes that small

communities give a sense of warmth. When Olivia moved to

Middlesex, her neighbours welcomed her with a pot of

flowers which gave her the feeling of belonging in a new

place. Olivia talks about enjoying programs for the whole family, especially those for children, like the

YMCA, various sports teams and the Before and After school program. She feels that everything she needs

for her daily life can be found locally, meaning she does not need to drive long distances to get

anything.

Olivia’s job at the hospital is her first in Canada,

and she likes it because of the engaging environment

and supportive co-workers. Olivia thinks that finding a

job in Strathroy depends on many factors such as

personal skills, personality and the ability to interact

well with co-workers. Teenagers and young people can

find jobs through advertisements posted in libraries,

community centers, on the Invest in Middlesex County

Facebook page and Work in Middlesex website.

Olivia highly recommends anyone of all ages to

live in the Middlesex area, as it is a place to

discover and to call home. See Olivia’s video here!

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