The New to Canada Podcast

If English is your second language and you’ve recently moved to an English-speaking country, this is the episode for you! I’m joined by the wonderful Elizabeth who moved from Colombia to Canada in 2016. She chats with us about her experience with new and unexpected insecurities about herself and her accent when she first arrived. We also discuss what it’s like growing up in the coffee axis of Colombia, how to set the right expectations for your big move, and how to unapologetically embrace who. you. are.   You don’t want to miss: Growing up in the Coffee Axis of Colombia. The differences between Colombian and Canadian coffee drinking habits! Culture shock: Matching Colombian high energy with a slower-paced Canadian life. Big cities vs. Small rural towns in Canada… Some tips for starting your living abroad experience in a more positive light (e.g. no comparison, complaining or expectations!) How to deal with new and unexpected insecurities when English is your 2nd language. A simple reality check if you’re endlessly “chasing happiness” PLUS, what a Colombian *really* thinks about Canadian New Years Eve “parties”… Links & Resources: Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: @elizabethexpress_ Follow Elizabeth’s English Accent account: @helloaccent Follow Toronto’s new comedy show DemOnes: @demones.official Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com

Immigrants. Are. Awesome. We are adventurous, adaptable, ambitious, community-driven, and naturally entrepreneurial. As the Harvard Business Review wrote in one of their articles, the immigrant mindset is one to STRIVE for in order to advance your career.  This episode’s guest exhibits all of these qualities and more. In 2013, Alena met a stranger on a train in Moscow who introduced her to the idea of moving to Canada. Not long after that, she was packing her bags in search of a new challenge and has not looked back since. Together, we chat about Russia and its people, share some career and immigration tips for international students, and dish out a serious dose of that immigrant inspiration.   You don’t want to miss: Everything you need to know about Russia: From vodka and high heels to superstitions and architecture… Alena’s new start: Being introduced to Canada by a stranger on a Moscow train, following her gut, and making the big move in pursuit of a new challenge. 9 Years Later: How her “temporary adventure” turned into a successful Canadian marriage, family, and career. Some simple reminders to prepare for the cultural and emotional shocks of moving to a new country. Career and immigration tips for international students. The Immigrant Mindset: More than 40% of Fortune 500 companies are founded by immigrants or their children! A discussion about the various strengths exhibited by immigrants and why we should be inspired by each other. PLUS, a Russian’s experience with the smiling and pleasantries of Western culture: Why simply adding “please” to an email doesn’t necessarily make your message “polite” in Canada…   Links & Resources: Read the Harvard Business Review article: “Adopt an Immigrant Mindset to Advance Your Career” - Click here Follow Alena on Instagram: @alenasharma.ca or Tiktok: @alenasharma.ca Connect with Alena on LinkedIn: Alena Khabibullina Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com

What if “starting your career from scratch” after moving to Canada doesn’t have to be a bad thing? This episode’s guest has a truly inspiring knack for looking at every job as a learning opportunity and doing whatever it takes to succeed. Malek Aljabari moved to Canada in 2016 with his wife and then 1-year-old daughter, and with just $120 in his pocket, has progressed from a Domino’s and Uber employee, to a successful Engineering role, to now proud Entrepreneur.  Malek reminds us all that we are so much more than our careers and that anything is possible when you have passion, confidence, and dedication.    You don’t want to miss: What it’s like growing up in Amman, Jordan. Malek’s 1st culture shock: Moving to Wisconsin, USA, at the age of 18 to study for a month. What is the best time of year to move to Canada? Language barriers and the struggle to accept your foreign accent. Malek’s career journey: From a Domino’s and Uber employee to a successful Engineer and now Entrepreneur. How to battle your ego when you have to settle for jobs you are overqualified for… Some simple tips on how to follow your passion with confidence and knowing you will be able to bounce back no matter what happens. PLUS, why standing in a line/queue can be the ultimate culture shock for people from some parts of the world!   Links & Resources: ELSA (English Language Speech Assistant) - The fun and engaging app specially designed to help you improve your English pronunciation: 7 day free trial - bit.ly/ELSAxTHENEWCOMERCOLLECTIVE Connect with Malek Aljabari on LinkedIn Follow Malek on Instagram: @realmalekjabari Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com

IELTS stands for The International English Language Testing System and is a test that is required by many English universities and English-speaking countries around the world. This week’s guest is Jessica Beck, a previous IELTS examiner of 14 years, a successful podcast host, and English teacher who has taught in Spain, Cambodia, Taiwan, and the United States. In this episode, she runs through what to expect when taking IELTS and shares some valuable study tips and strategies for those of you who are aiming for that great test score.    _   BONUS: Jessica has hooked us up with a 20% discount on her IELTS online course “3 Keys” which includes study plans, templates, strategies, video lessons, practice tests, and more. Best of all? It has a 100% guarantee that it will increase your test score. So if you’re stressed about your IELTS, this investment is so worth it to ensure you do your absolute best when it comes to test day. To sign up, CLICK HERE and enter promo code 'FLUENT' at check-out. Good luck!   _   You don’t want to miss: What is IELTS? How do you pronounce it correctly? What are the benefits? The differences between the academic vs general versions of the IELTS test. Paper vs computer-delivered tests. A list of podcasts to listen to to prepare and practice. Strategy tips and tricks for each of the 4 modules: Speaking, writing, reading, and listening! The importance of timing when taking the test, what to do when you don’t know the answer, and some great mindset tactics to set you up for success. PLUS, the top 2 mistakes that Jessica always sees students make during the IELTS test process…   Links & Resources: Save 20% on the IELTS 3 Keys Online Course which 100% guarantees to increase your test score (enter promo code 'FLUENT' at check-out): Click here Listen to Ryoki’s episode on IELTS Energy and how he got a Speaking 9: Click here Podcasts: IELTS Energy | All Ears English Take the free IELTS quiz: What is your expected score?: https://go.bucketquizzes.com/sf/a35f8185  IELTS Energy TV: https://www.youtube.com/c/IELTSEnergyTV  Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com

Mental wellness abroad is not a topic that is widely discussed… We see moving to a new country as one big adventure and often disregard the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. This episode’s guest, Harisha from India, discusses how she finds inner strength in times of struggle and stresses the importance of slowing down and checking in with ourselves during such a big life transition. She also shares her moving to Canada story: How her husband moved to Canada in 2012 and it wasn’t until 8 years later that she was able to finally join him here. We chat about India, food, yoga, and more!   You don’t want to miss: All about growing up in Hyderabad, India. Where to find the best Indian food and ingredients in/near Toronto… 8 years long distance: The story of Harisha finally joining her husband in Canada after nearly a decade apart.  How a previous yoga teaching certification taken in India ended up being a life-changing tool as she adapted to Canadian life. The various ways that yoga can impact your transition to life abroad and how to use it to tap into your strength and inner potential. Prevention is better than the cure: The importance of slowing down and checking in with your mental wellness abroad. PLUS, some simple tips for finding more joy in the “down” days and letting go of what you can’t control.   Links & Resources: Follow Harisha on Instagram: @harishapranyudhyoga Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com

This episode’s guest is Chifuka from Zambia, Africa. Back in 2004, together with his parents and 4 brothers, 19-year-old Chifuka moved from the busy city of Kitwe to a small town in Saskatchewan. He tells us about his family’s experience of being the only immigrants in a white Canadian community. We also discuss how newcomers from countries that celebrate being humble and reserved can unexpectedly struggle in countries where confidence and assertiveness are rewarded. Chifuka offers fresh perspective and lessons learned from his 17 years living in Canada. You don’t want to miss: Everything you need to know about life in Zambia, Africa. An intimate insight into the experience of an African family of 7 moving to rural Saskatchewan. Life transitions and culture shocks: From student to worker as an immigrant in Canada. The differences between the Zambian and Canadian workplaces and how different cultures can lead to immigrants being easily misunderstood. PLUS,  the delicate balance between preserving your roots and values whilst also trying to succeed and integrate into a new country.   Links & Resources: Buy Chifuka’s book on Amazon - Immigrants’ Journeys: Africans Making Canada Home: Click Here Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com

It’s time to learn about life in Alberta! Whether you’re still unsure about where exactly to move in Canada or you’re just interested in learning more about the different provinces, this episode’s guest has all the insider info. Marisol moved from Costa Rica to Edmonton, Alberta, 11 years ago after meeting her Canadian now-husband. Together, we chat about luscious Costa Rica and then dive deep into what to expect when living in Alberta from the cost of living to mountain adventures. You don’t want to miss: All about growing up in San Jose, Costa Rica.  How Marisol met a Canadian unexpectedly and then moved to Canada to be with him just 6 months later. Tropical paradise to Edmonton, Alberta… Find out how she answers the question: What are you doing here?! The insider scoop on life in Alberta: Cost of living, real estate, jobs, vibe, and more. A comparison of city life: Calgary vs. Edmonton PLUS, Mountain talk: Some passionate chat about National Park adventures and where to see your first bear and moose!   Links & Resources: Follow Marisol on Instagram: @_expatdiaries Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com  

When we move to a new country, we all have the same mission: To grow some meaningful connections with those around us in our new home… But what happens instead? We attend lots of events but end up talking about the weather or what we do and we leave with a list of new contacts but no real relationships. This episode’s guest is Jan Keck who moved from Germany to Toronto back in 2008. He shares some valuable tips for introducing yourself to strangers, and then how to nourish and grow both your new and existing connections so that you can finally find yourself surrounded by YOUR people.   You don’t want to miss: Growing up in Germany: All things Oktoberfest, beer, castles, and Christmas markets! How Jan scored a scholarship to study in Toronto and went from an active member of a thriving community to knowing just one person in his new city. After 6 years of struggling to build his network, how attending a personal development retreat by accident gave him 30 new friends in 48 hours and changed the way he looked at human connection.  Small Talk Detox: Not a single person really “wants” to talk about the weather! How you can rephrase your questions to stimulate more meaningful conversations. Some valuable tips for overcoming the anxiety of introducing yourself to a stranger. Including “visual conversation starters” to look out for or to make yourself stand out. Next steps: How to maintain and grow both your new and existing relationships by going deeper and being more vulnerable. PLUS, find out how long it takes to walk up the 1,776 steps of the CN Tower (Jan has done it 3 times!)   Links & Resources: Order Jan’s Connection Cards: Click Here Follow Jan on Instagram: @mrjankeck Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com  

Join me as I share another of my passionate pep talks! This time, the topic is: Careers in Canada. In this episode, I'm taking you through the journey from when I first started job hunting with no Canadian work experience back in 2017 to finally feeling happy and fulfilled in my career today. I share the different ways that I thought "outside of the box" and got creative when I was faced with unexpected job search challenges - and how you should always remember your worth and the value that you can bring to an employer as an international newcomer.   Links & Resources: Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com

In this episode, I am reunited with poll winners Itir from Turkey (ep. 12), Elisabet from Spain (ep. 14), and Carlotta from Italy (ep. 18) for a fun end of Series 2 get together. Get ready to laugh along with us as we share 2 truths, 1 lie about our native countries, as well as dive deep into more personal aspects of moving abroad - Such as mental health barriers, Canadian culture, and more.   You don’t want to miss: 2 facts, 1 lie about our native countries: Can you guess which one is the lie?! (England, Italy, Turkey, and Spain) What has been our biggest mental health barrier since moving to Canada and what our advice is for anyone struggling in a similar way (Topics include: Homesickness, loneliness, fear of the unknown, and more) What *surprised* us about Canada / Canadian culture… Our thoughts on having an accent in Canada… What we would tell ourselves if we could go back in time to our 1st day as a newcomer... What 2 items would we bring with us to a deserted island? PLUS, find out what a coffee-loving Italian *really * thinks of Tim Hortons...   Links & Resources: Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com