E92: Fikru Kebede refuses to get cynical about Canada

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 Fikru Kebede , an Ethiopian artist who moved to Canada as a refugee after ethnic and religious conflicts made it impossible for him to continue his life and artistic career in his homeland.

One of my biggest takeaways from our conversation is how Fikru handles negative experiences. When faced with discrimination on the public transit, rather than feeling like a victim, he chose to focus on spreading positive energy instead of absorbing and transferring the frustration to another person.

“When you manifest positive vibes, you receive positivity,” he explains. This philosophy has helped him navigate the challenges of building a new life in a country where, as he puts it, "everyone lives on their sides" rather than in the communal way he was accustomed to in Ethiopia.

In this conversation, Fikru and I chat about adapting to the Canadian way of life. We also explore:

* Being realistic about one’s expectations as an immigrant

* How his artistic style is evolving in Canada

* The differences between the Ethiopian and Western painting styles

* How Impakt Foundation changed his life

* Finding internal peace through audiobooks

Official Links

✅ Connect with Fikru on LinkedIn

✅ Explore Fikru’s work

✅ Read about Impakt Foundation’s approach to newcomer support

One Ask

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