Quyen Ha was too young to remember how her dad went into hiding, fearing he would be found and forced into the military to wage war, something he was ardently against.

She also doesn’t remember the day that fear forced her parents to pack up some clothes and take to the sea, fending off pirates in search of a new life, somewhere far from Vietnam.

But she does remember the stories her parents would tell about their journey to Canada and the warm welcome they got as refugees.

“They knew this was their only choice,” Ha, who came to Canada as an infant, told the Star. “It was their only opportunity to start a new life.”

The experience she faced as a child is much like that of the 25,000 refugees who have begun to arrive in Canada after fleeing war-torn Syria, searching for life far from danger.

It was a big shift from Vietnam, where customers who popped into her parents’ bustling corner store shared a heritage with the family.

But being outliers didn’t bother Ha and her brother. They grew up with the same pastimes as most Canadians — lacing up skates during frigid winters to glide around their backyard rink, playing street hockey with neighbourhood children, and camping and fishing during the warmer months.

“People are surprised to know that I am a former refugee,” said Ha, now the founder of a food and drink company. “If you look at our family, we are very typical Canadians, who happened to come here under tough circumstances. We do normal Canadian things.”

Today, as Ha’s family celebrates 35 years in Canada, they compiled a list of advice for new arrivals as they settle into a new life here.

1. Learn about Canadian culture and society, and embrace the values that make this country special. Some examples are:

Be polite. As Canadians we say ‘Sorry’ and ‘Thank You’ a lot, and we open the door for people.

Respect the lineup. Canadians line up for everything. For example, the bank, for coffee, for the bus, theatre etc. We rarely skip the line.

2. Learn English by:

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Taking advantage of English programs at local colleges and community centres

Make friends with Canadians and learn from them. Having conversations is very helpful.

3. We have four seasons. In winter:

Heat your house. And when you go outside, be prepared by wearing appropriate clothes.

Wear long underwear, also called long johns or thermal underwear.

4. Get a public library card. It’s free, and you can borrow books, movies and use their computers to look for jobs. Sometimes you can also borrow books from your own language.

5. Learn to shop at our supermarkets. There are many products in Canada that may not have been available in your country. And there may be products that make your life easier, like laundry detergent.

6. Sign up for loyalty cards that will give you discounts on items, for example, Air Miles or Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum loyalty cards.

7. Get out and enjoy your new life. Walk around. Learn about your new surroundings, and get a coffee at Tim Hortons. Don't be afraid to check out free events throughout the city.

8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Canadians are very friendly. If you get lost or don’t understand something, just ask a stranger for help.

9. Learn about the transit system and how to cross the road safely. Technically, jaywalking is prohibited.

10. Learn about the tipping culture in Canada.

11. Keep a note of all the things you've learned along the way, so you can help and share with the other newcomers who will arrive after you.

12. Lastly, pick a hockey team to cheer for. Like my mother, you’ll get obsessed with this sport eventually.