E69: Olia Stasiuk thinks immigrants impose limitations on themselves

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.

Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.

In this episode, I’m speaking with Olia Stasiuk, Founder of Bonzai AI, author, and all-round superhero.

We immigrants - especially if you are one of the privileged ones like myself who didn’t have to learn a new language when we moved - underestimate how hard it is to deal with the double whammy of trying to settle into a new country, new culture, and new lifestyle while trying to learn a new language at the same time.

Olia had to deal with that double whammy.

Did she have doubts? Yes. Did she feel hurt when people corrected her? Yes.

But that didn't stop her. Olia has gone from struggling to communicate to finding her footing, writing an Amazon bestselling book, and launching an AI startup that's made Canada's Top 100 AI Startups two years in a row.

In this conversation, Olia and I explored working through her limitations. We also chatted about:

* The difference between living and working in the United States and Canada as an immigrant

* The concept of the immigrant identity

* Why moving to a new country is like gaining a superpower

* Her go-to tip for anyone looking to immigrate, and a ton of good stuff.

My biggest takeaway: Cultural integration is a choice and we can often feel that we need to shed our old identity to adopt the new identity. But you are better off finding a way to integrate both identities.

That’s your superpower. That’s what makes you unique.

Official Links

👋🏽 Follow Olia on LinkedIn

👌🏽 Learn more about Bonzai AI

📚 Get yourself a copy of the 66 Days SUCCESS Formula

ICYMI

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com