The New to Canada Podcast

Sarah Mac, who has lived long-term in Montréal, Vancouver, and Toronto, discusses the pros and cons of each city. She also shares her journey from working in the film industry to becoming a coach for creative entrepreneurs. The podcast covers topics such as English accents in Canada, French language skills in Montréal, and how to monetize your creative passion project.

Conquering fear. Stopping those ‘what ifs’ that are holding you back. Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. If these are some of your goals, then this is the episode for you! This week, I chat with Carlotta Crestanello from Italy whose story is a little different… She didn’t want to move to Canada at all! Her Dad forced her on a plane to Vancouver against her will back in 2013 and just 2 days later, Carlotta knew that she had found her true home. Together, we give you the ultimate pep talk for kicking fear to the curb, using it as fuel, and pushing through towards personal growth and success.   You don’t want to miss:  The magic of Italy and growing up in the small town of Vicenza! How Carlotta’s dad forced her to spend a month in Canada and she boarded the plane crying… 2 days later, she knew that Vancouver had her heart. The beauty of having 2 homes: How Carlotta has never felt homesick and some tips to unconditionally embrace a new place. Being an enthusiastic Italian ‘hugger’ and adapting to how different cultures greet each other! Conquering Fear: Our ULTIMATE pep talk on how to get out of your own way, leave your comfort zone, and kick your fear to the curb.   PLUS, what happens when you bring an English & an Italian girl together for a podcast episode after the 2020 Euro cup final….   Links & Resources: Follow Carlotta on Instagram: @carlottacrestanello 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 Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any of our inspiring interviews and valuable ‘life in Canada’ lessons. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a review - Until next week!

Buying Real Estate in Canada can feel like an impossibly large and daunting goal; especially as an international newcomer… This episode’s guest, Sidharth Iyer from India, bought a condo in Toronto just 18 months after his big move! He shares with us the 3 most important steps to take when thinking of buying property in Canada and spills his best tips and tricks for making the process as easy as possible along the way. He also shares some bonus advice for growing your LinkedIn profile as he boasts a 21,000+ following and has reaped the benefits for his career and network abroad. You don’t want to miss:  Growing up in Jamshedpur, India: Sid’s favourite Indian festival and his best advice for visitors to the country. Sid’s 1st immigration experience at just 10 years old when he moved to Singapore with his family. Travelling to Montreal on a work trip and instantly falling in love with Canada. Moving to Toronto in 2017 and his journey to self-discovery and professional growth. REAL ESTATE: Insider info from a first-time home buyer in Canada! The 3 important stages of buying your first property… PLUS, LinkedIn: How Sid grew his following to 21,000+ and the benefits he has reaped as a result!   Links & Resources: Follow Sid on LinkedIn Email Sid:  iyer.sidharth@gmail.com  Real Estate Research: condos.ca | Boards & Associations (e.g. DRAR | TRREB | etc) Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Follow us on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any of our inspiring interviews and valuable ‘life in Canada’ lessons. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a review - Until next week!

This week’s guest is Fares Khouri from Jordan. In 2007, Fares planned to go to Lebanon for university. However, when civil unrest erupted there, he decided to move to Canada instead! In this episode, Fares shares with us the creative ways that he successfully built up his Canadian work experience and how you can use fundraising to build your soft skills and employability. He also introduces us to his work at Access CCF and their Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Program. If you’re internationally trained, you may be eligible for a loan to help you achieve your career dreams in Canada.     You don’t want to miss:  All about growing up in Jordan and attending an international school there. Fares’ story of having to pivot his university plans to Canada after civil unrest erupted in Lebanon. How to use university community and networking to combat homesickness. The pressure and mental stress of the Post-Graduate Work Permit: Some simple tips to successfully build Canadian experience on your path to PR.  The incredible benefits of door-to-door fundraising and volunteering. PLUS, the Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Program: How internationally trained newcomers could be eligible for a loan to help increase employability.     Links & Resources: Learn more about the Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Program: Click Here  Reach out to Fares on: LinkedIn Follow Messi the French bulldog on Instagram! @messi.thefrenchie 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 Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any of our inspiring interviews and valuable ‘life in Canada’ lessons. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a review - Until next week!

Owning your own business in Canada is a dream that a lot of newcomers share and this episode’s guest is no different. Assel Beglinova moved from Kazakhstan to Toronto in 2012. She shares her story of learning English with a host family and now, 9 years later, launching her own FinTech venture called ‘Minance’ that helps solo entrepreneurs manage their money.  Assel shares her top tips to succeed as both an international student as well as a business owner in Canada and her motivational advice will get your entrepreneurial energy flowing! She reminds us to get out of our own way, be our biggest cheerleaders, and just do it.   You don’t want to miss:  All about growing up in one of the safest countries in the world: Kazakhstan. Assel’s experience as an international student in Toronto, staying with a Canadian host family and learning English. Her top 3 tips for soon-to-be or newly arrived international students. The biggest lessons she’s learnt whilst building her business in Canada. PLUS, what someone from Kazakhstan REALLY thinks about the fictional character ‘Borat’…!!   Links & Resources: Reach out to Assel on: LinkedIn Follow Assel’s Instagram: @b.linova Visit Assel’s company website: Minance.ca 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 Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any of our inspiring interviews and valuable ‘life in Canada’ lessons. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a review - Until next week!

Finding a supportive community abroad can make the world of difference when you are struggling to adjust. Sometimes all you need to feel more settled and happy is to know that you are not alone. In this episode, I chat with Elisabet Camprubi who moved from Spain to Toronto in 2012. When she found herself struggling with loneliness, culture shock, and language barriers, Elisabet turned to yoga and quickly realised the life-changing benefits that it can bring to someone starting over abroad. She shares with us the importance of slowing down and listening to yourself, and introduces us to her newly launched community: Newcomers Thru Yoga.   You don’t want to miss: All about growing up in the Spanish countryside! Elisabet’s experience moving to Toronto in 2012 to learn English with a Canadian family. 7 years in Canada: Study Permit to Work Permit to Permanent Residency to Citizenship. The downside of Canada’s multiculturalism: The difficulty understanding all of the different accents! How Elisabet was able to find a job in her field in just 2 months. Some valuable advice if you are currently feeling lonely. The benefits of yoga after moving abroad: How Elisabet built a yoga routine to give herself time to pause, reflect, and make sense of her emotions and goals. PLUS, all about Elisabet’s newly launched community for internationals in Canada: ‘Newcomers Thru Yoga’   Links & Resources: Join the Newcomers Thru Yoga facebook community: Click Here Visit the community’s website: www.ThruYoga.com  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 Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any of our inspiring interviews and valuable ‘life in Canada’ lessons. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a review - Until next week!

Are you wondering HOW to immigrate to Canada? You asked, I listened! There are over 65 immigration pathways that are available to individuals seeking to immigrate to Canada. That leaves a lot of room for confusion and uncertainty when considering what the best option is for you. In this episode, I sit down with Josh Schachnow, a Toronto-based Immigration Lawyer and Founder of the Visto platform.  He provides an easy-to-understand breakdown of each of the most popular immigration pathways to Canada: Study Permit, Work Permit, Permanent Residency, Business Pathways and PNPs. You don’t want to miss: Study Permits and Spousal Open Work Permits. Reality Check: The difficulty of obtaining a Closed Work Permit and the industries that give you the best chance of success. What you need to know about the recent TR to PR program announcement as a result of the pandemic. Immigration scams in Canada: What to look out for. The difference between an Immigration lawyer and an Immigration Consultant. How to improve your Express Entry score for your Permanent Residency application. Business Pathways & Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs.) PLUS, some simple tips on how to choose which immigration professional to work with, how to verify their reputation, and what traits you should look out for.     Links & Resources: Sign up to Visto’s FREE immigration platform and take the Visto Qualify quiz to see which pathways best suit your situation: bit.ly/vistoimmigration  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 Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any of our inspiring interviews and valuable ‘life in Canada’ lessons. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a review - Until next week!

Itir shares her inspiring journey of moving from Istanbul to Toronto, navigating unexpected immigration hurdles. Discover the vibrant life in Istanbul and the challenges she's faced while trying to return to Canada. She reveals clever tips for job hunting from abroad and discusses the unique experience of couch surfing. The podcast also dives into the nuances of the Toronto dating scene from an immigrant's perspective, highlighting the importance of building connections and the emotional resilience required to chase your dreams.

Finding a job in Canada is one of the biggest hurdles that newcomers face. With limited knowledge of the Canadian labour market, job application standards, workplace culture, and zero network, it really isn’t surprising. Luckily, there are various government-funded programs that are dedicated to helping you achieve your career goals. One of these programs is Canada InfoNet. In this episode, I chat with the program's manager, Sharvari Jois, who moved to Canada 10 years ago from Bangalore, India. She shares vital advice for both pre-arrival and post-arrival internationals who are finding the Canadian job search process challenging. You don’t want to miss: Sharvari’s experience growing up in Bangalore, India, and how much she misses the monsoon season! 10 years in Canada: The advice she would give to herself if she could go back in time to when she was first struggling to find a job. Her best tips for adapting to Canada’s more specialized roles and job titles, not hearing back from employers, and knowing when to take a break from job hunting to avoid burnout. The power of volunteering: How to build on your international work experience and expand your network. The hidden job market and how to find it. Transferable skills: How to include them effectively in your resume so you can apply for jobs outside of your experience. PLUS, all about the IRCC-funded Canada InfoNet Program and its incredible (free!) career services that you can take advantage of if you’re currently pre-arrival.     Links & Resources: Learn more about Canada InfoNet’s free pre-arrival program: canadainfonet.org List of Canada’s top 100 SMEs: Click here Next Stop: YMCA’s Pre-Arrival Settlement Services: nextstopcanada.ca IRCC’s list of approved pre-arrival programs: 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 Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any of our inspiring interviews and valuable ‘life in Canada’ lessons. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a review - Until next week!

The term 'languishing' was shared in a recent New York Times article to describe the joylessness or aimlessness that many of us are feeling during this unprecedented pandemic. In this episode, I talk about the importance of looking after your mental health during these continuous lockdowns - especially as an international living so far away from familiarity and loved ones. I run through some common thought patterns that you may be struggling with and share some simple mindset shifts to feel more positive in the days ahead.