From culture shock to community: How Dr. John Shi used his years abroad to promote diversity and inclusion at AAFC

An Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) senior research scientist, Dr. John Shi, has experienced first-hand how challenging it can be to live in a new country and culture. That's why promoting workplace diversity and inclusivity at AAFC holds a special place in his heart – and in his approach to research.

A global citizen: finding friends in unfamiliar places

Nada Semann and Dr. John Shi

Dr. John Shi receiving a national award for his work with AAFC’s Visible Minority Network from former Deputy Minister Nada Semaan

Identifying as a visible minority himself, Dr. Shi is very familiar with culture shock and the challenges that come with deciding to leave one's home country. After completing a master's degree in Food Engineering, he left his home country of China to learn more about how food system innovations and increased food quality and safety can benefit people all over the world. Although his research was familiar ground to him, new cultures took some getting used to.

“It was very challenging to adjust,” he concedes of his time spent living in Norway, Spain, and the United States while studying and carving out his early career. “I experienced many barriers with language and cultures that made it difficult to focus only on my career.”

Dr. Shi faced these challenges head on by learning about the local history, languages, and cultural customs. He volunteered to clear litter from local parks, joined community gatherings to share Chinese food, and attended language school in the evenings, making friends along the way. “My new friends invited me to family parties, camping trips, and hiking after work, often providing help and consultations with language problems, local transportation, and shopping.”

These small acts accumulated to larger feelings of comfort and acceptance. But what Dr. Shi didn’t realize was how much his tips and tricks to fighting culture shock would one day influence his role at AAFC.

A shocking new culture

Culture shock occurs when we adapt to a new culture. It’s a process which typically begins with a honeymoon phase followed by stages of frustration, adjustment and acceptance. These stages are experienced differently from person to person and can have a range of effects on physical and mental well-being.

A multicultural homecoming: AAFC's Visible Minority Network

After many years roaming the globe, Dr. Shi decided to make Canada his home in 1996. Wanting to contribute to Canadian food industry developments and produce health-promoting functional foods, he joined AAFC's research and development center in Guelph, Ontario. His specialty is value-added food processing and identifying agro-food products and processes to improve nutrition, which also deliver health and economic benefits. These are priorities for the department and his work helps Canadians across the country.

Dr. Shi's travels helped him adjust easily and find meaningful work within the department. However, he soon recognized that other AAFC employees from different countries struggled to find their footing, especially with the culture shock. He saw that there was a gap that he might be able to fill with his own experiences.

“When employees, especially visible minorities, feel included and valued in the workplace, they do their best work,” Dr. Shi says.

With this in mind, Dr. Shi began exploring new ways to help other employees who struggled with adjusting to life in Canada. He knew there were things to do outside the workplace to combat culture shock, but he wanted to find a way for employees to feel welcome at AAFC, too.

That's when he started working with AAFC's Visible Minority Network (VMN).

Diversity and the economy: the value of acceptance

The VMN is a committee that offers training and resources for learning Canadian values and embracing multicultural diversity with the aim of promoting equal opportunities for career development for all members. Dr. Shi, as a co-chair, helped coordinate all functions of the Network.

“I see Network members put forward their full energy and abilities to make contributions to Canadian economic developments,” he says. “Diversity and inclusiveness are Canadian strengths that can build a bright and strong Canadian future.” Dr. Shi also believes diversity can have economic benefits – and for research to solve real-world problems, everyone's full participation and potential must be realized.

In addition to his research in food processing engineering and being a Co-Chair of the VMN, Dr. Shi has taken his efforts outside the department, too. He proudly serves on the National Mental Health Steering Committee and is a supervisor for Ph.D. students and visiting scholars from China, India, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Columbia, USA, and New Zealand. Closer to home, he is Professor Adjunct in the Department of Engineering at the University of Guelph, co-supervises graduate students in his research lab in the Guelph Research Center, and reviews students' final theses defenses.

Though workplace diversity and inclusion is an achievement that takes time, Dr. Shi remains committed to making AAFC a place where all can feel comfortable enough to call home.

To learn more about Dr. John Shi's work, please visit his profile on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website.

Coping with Culture Shock in a COVID-19 World: Dr. Shi's Top Tips

Making friends can be daunting—especially during a global pandemic. But Dr. Shi points out ways to reduce culture shock.

  1. Find online communities no matter where you are.
    If you are not comfortable joining local groups or volunteer activities in person, there are ways to connect virtually with other like-minded people in your new neighbourhood. Facebook groups, for example, are known to be a great platform for connecting with others living abroad.
  2. Stay connected with family and friends for days of homesickness.
    There are many apps available now that enable you to stay connected with close ones for days you feel lonely.
  3. Commit to learning one new thing each day.
    Whether it's learning a trickier phrase on DuoLingo or taking a longer walk in the community, try to set small goals and pace yourself as you learn more about where you're living. This can help you feel less overwhelmed.
  4. Take comfort in the familiar.
    When things feel more familiar, it feels like home. Map out your favourite walking route, lunch spot, or park so that they feel like “yours” even in a new environment. For example, Dr. Shi's field of research was also a source of familiarity to him which helped him adjust.

Note: Dr. Shi's tenure as the VMN Co-Chair ended on March 31, 2022.

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