E72: Maryanne Aghalu thinks Canada met her expectations

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 Maryanne Aghalu, who moved to Canada in 2016 for her MSc, leaving a blossoming career in consulting behind.

Maryanne was so sure she was going to go back to Nigeria. Choosing to come to Canada was possible because PwC Nigeria gave her a two-year study leave.

“I was going to study, get some international work experience, and then head back,” she says. Well, she’s still here.

In this conversation, Maryanne and I chat about deciding to stay back in Canada. We also explore:

* Spending her maternity leave in Nigeria

* What home means to her now

* Underestimating how much immigrating changes us

* The cultural gifts we owe our kids, and more good stuff.

Something to ponder on: We unconsciously adopt the cultural nuances of our new country but we often only notice how much we’ve integrated when we go back to visit.

Official Links

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