E116: Sweta Regmi says 'It's dangerous to figure it out alone'

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In this episode, I'm speaking to Sweta Regmi, who's lived in Canada for over two decades.

Two decades is a while, and Sweta says if she were to compress all she's learned over those years into one piece of advice for new immigrants, it would be "ASK FOR HELP."

I agree. I learned this the hard way. And maybe someday I'll tell that story. But yes, ask for help. Don't try to figure it out all on your own. But there are caveats here. As Sweta puts it, "Watch out for folks who who project their own limitations onto you, like someone who tells you that making six figures is impossible."

I think the key message Sweta is passing on here is find people who have lived the life you want to live. This isn't about finding someone with a PhD or a fancy title, but someone with relatable, lived experience who can offer genuine guidance.

In this conversation, Sweta and I chat about the importance of finding mentors who are honest about their struggles. We also explore:

* Why she sees her 25-year journey in Canada as beautiful

* The origin story behind her business, TeachnDo

* Why she resisted celebrating Canadian holidays at first, and what changed her mind

* Why you shouldn’t compromise your identity just because you want to fit in

Dozie’s Notes

A few things that stuck with me as I listened through this week’s conversation:

* Not judging anyone, but those little compromises you make to fit in can often backfire. Integrate all right, but don’t erode your sense of self in the process. You have a heritage that’s beautiful in its own right.

* Continuing from above, moving means you can curate the culture you want to uphold or live by. You can choose to discard the negative aspects of your heritage or home culture (like gender biases in Sweta’s case) and replace them with the positive elements from your new culture. The result is a new personalized way of life. Sounds utopian, but it’s doable.

* The source of your advice can make or break you. I would go further to say the folks you speak to within the first two weeks in the country can limit or propel you forward.

Official Links

✅ Connect with Sweta Regmi on LinkedIn

✅ Check out the free career resources on the TeachnDo website

One Ask

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