Betty and her husband moved to London 25 years ago from Hong Kong. The couple had always wanted to explore the world and Canada seemed like a great place to live. Although they knew a lot about Toronto, a friend told them about London. After a trip to London in their rental car from Toronto, they decided they would prefer to live in the beautiful Forest City!
It was important for Betty and her husband to live in a city that was welcoming towards Chinese immigrants – and offered delicious Chinese food! In the beginning, the couple faced challenges, especially when speaking English. In Hong Kong, they had taken English classes but the English lessons focused mainly on British English so they had to get used to Canadian English. However, the couple found that Londoners were welcoming and frequently gave the couple friendly smiles and double-doubles from Tim Horton’s!
Today, Betty and her husband own Forever Homes, a construction company that builds new homes in London. They are also currently involved in building a 14-storey student housing apartment across from Fanshawe College, which will officially open in September 2015.
Betty is also very involved in London’s community through her church. In particular, Betty and her husband support the church’s Asian Fellowship program, which provides assistance to Asian immigrants of all ages, including international students at Western and Fanshawe. Betty believes her experience 25 years ago helps her to connect with newcomers and help them through the transition. To the newcomers that arrive, Betty advises them to always move forward, not backward. She tells them that Christopher Columbus said “you can never cross an ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore,” so when you arrive, you just have to step out and move forward. Betty believes stepping out is possible in London because of London’s “open hearts and open minds!”
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