The New to Canada Podcast

What is Canadian culture? In order to fit into your workplace and make new friends, it’s important to understand what values, beliefs & behaviours make Canadians tick! In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan Lu from China. With dozens of his family already living around the globe, Ryan always knew that he too would leave China to experience other cultures. During his 23 years, he has already lived in the USA, Denmark, England, Korea, and most recently, Toronto, Canada after his company agreed to transfer him here. In this episode, we chat about his experience growing up in the most populated country in the world and we share some simple ways to connect with Canadians socially & professionally. You don’t want to miss: All you need to know about growing up in fast-paced urban China: Lots of queues and extracurricular activities! Why you shouldn’t pay attention to online reviews when looking for authentic food in China… Ryan’s experience going to high school in Pennsylvania, USA, watching ‘Friends’ to learn English, and struggling to understand American inside jokes. The cultural differences he has noticed when living in Denmark, England, Korea, and now Canada. Moving to Toronto in the middle of a pandemic: Ryan’s first impressions of the city and our take on whether or not Canadians are actually as friendly as their stereotype tells us! Canadian culture: Some simple tips for how to connect with Canadians via sports, in the workplace, what jokes to avoid and how to embrace their multiculturalism. PLUS, Reverse culture shock: Ryan’s experience not quite fitting into Chinese culture anymore after living so long in North America.   Links & Resources: Follow Ryan on Instagram: @ryryryanlu 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!

Do you need to take your CELPIP or CAEL English test? These tests are officially designated for Canadian permanent residence applications by IRCC; as well as required for study in Canada and many professional designations. In this special expert episode, we sit down with Alison Chan from Paragon Testing Enterprises. She tells us everything we need to know about these English language tests and shares some of her best test preparation and test-taking tips!   You don’t want to miss: The biggest challenges that people face when trying to learn English. The reasons behind English language proficiency testing in Canada. Definitions of the CELPIP & CAEL tests and what they are needed for. Where you can take your test and what to expect when you get to a test centre. More information regarding the $5,000 scholarship for CAEL students. The best study tips and tools to get your desired score. Advice for acclimatising better to Canadian culture. PLUS, examples of what you could be asked for each of the test’s components: Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading.   Links & Resources: Contact Paragon Testing Enterprises by email: info@celpip.ca Register for free CELPIP webinars & workshops 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!  

Managing your personal finances abroad is one of those huge and often daunting tasks. Newcomers often watch their savings dwindle as they struggle to find a job. They battle with higher living costs than they’re used to and have to build a Canadian credit score from scratch. This episode’s guest is Jodi from Montego Bay, Jamaica: A self-confessed personal finance geek and the founder of the empowering financial blog, Abundance of Jo.  Jodi shares her story of moving from Jamaica to Vancouver in 2015 to pursue her MBA and tells us her best tips and tricks to get financially ahead as a Canadian newcomer so that we can all live an abundant life.    You don’t want to miss: All you need to know about growing up in Montego Bay, Jamaica: Reggae festivals, beaches, waterfalls and spicy food! Vancouver vs. Toronto and the go-to Jamaican restaurants to check out in each city. Jodi’s experience as an international student in Canada, adjusting to the West-coast rainy season(!) and appreciating the community that has supported her along the way. The programs for newcomers that you should be asking about when opening a bank account, applying for a credit card, buying a new car, and more. Some simple tips for building your Canadian credit score and how to order your free credit report. Top money-saving tips to help you adjust to higher Canadian living costs and how to effectively budget when you first arrive. PLUS, which budget-friendly apps you should be downloading right now!!   Links & Resources: Add ‘Honey’ for free to your internet browser to automatically apply promo codes to your online shopping cart: bit.ly/joinhoneycanada  Visit Jodi’s Blog and download her free “Know Your Money” guide: AbundanceofJo.com Tangerine’s No-Fee Cash-Back Credit Card: Learn More Comparison Sites: Jessica Moorhouse |  Money After Graduation Requesting your credit report: Borrowell.com Download the Flipp app to access store flyers and coupons: Flipp.com Compare rental prices vs. area: Padmapper 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!

For many, the scariest part of moving abroad is not knowing anyone and having to find new people to hang out with... This episode’s guest is Tim Butler who moved from New Zealand to Vancouver in June 2019 to get himself out of a rut, challenge himself and experience the great Canadian outdoors. Tim shares how he has quickly built a solid social circle through hostels, sports and clubs - and how you can too. And how the power of the expat community can really help you along the way.   You don’t want to miss: Tim’s experience growing up in a rural town near Wellington, New Zealand. Addressing those Kiwi stereotypes (e.g. all blacks, lord of the rings, bungee jumping and sheep sheep sheep…) How Tim spent his 1st winter in Canada training for an ultra marathon and running 30+km through snow! West vs East coast weather in Canada. Building your social circle: How to use hostels, sports and clubs to meet new people. The power of the expat community and ‘giving back’: Losing his job due to the pandemic and how his connections came through to help get him a new career opportunity within hours. PLUS, how dangerous the word ‘deck’ can be for a Kiwi abroad…    Links & Resources: Follow Tim on Instagram: @TimButlerNZ 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!

Being an optimistic expat is a lot harder than it looks. Culture shock and homesickness can be really difficult to shake, especially during those first few years of living abroad.  This episode’s guest is the wonderfully positive Eleni who describes herself as a Zimbabwean Greek Cypriot - and soon to be Canadian! She moved to Toronto in 2017 with her husband and then 11-year-old daughter and spent a long time feeling isolated. She shares her best advice for how to embrace the journey, cope with winter temperatures, and help your family to adjust to the big move. We also learn about her adventurous life growing up in Zimbabwe, then living in Greece, London, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Her addictive sunshine and positive outlook will give you the boost you need!   You don’t want to miss: Growing up in Harare, Zimbabwe with Greek & Cypriot parents. “I don’t know where I’m heading but I cannot wait to get there”: Eleni’s itchy-feet adventures living in Greece, London, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia. Moving to Canada with an 11 year old daughter and how she helped her from feeling unsettled to finally loving life in Canadian middle school. Overcoming culture shock: How she found it difficult to make friends without the “coffee moms” at the school gates. Insider insights into family life in Toronto: Which neighbourhoods to choose and her favourite parts of the city. Some simple tips to ensure your children keep in touch with their roots. PLUS, what it’s like to experience Halloween for the 1st time and how to decorate your house for each Canadian holiday!   Links & Resources: Follow Eleni’s photography accounts in Instagram: Canada | Zimbabwe | Greece 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!

When did you last push yourself outside of your comfort zone? This episode’s guest, Oscar Cecena, has done so time and time again! Since moving to Toronto 8 years ago from Mexico City, he has since built a successful career in FinTech, launched the Immigrants of Toronto podcast, set up newcomer coaching services and published his creative writing in a foreign language. What a busy bee. In this episode, we discuss the different ways that pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone (in even the smallest ways) can make all the difference when starting over in a new country. We chat about life in Mexico City, how he adjusted to the higher cost of living in Canada, which experts to trust, and more!    You don’t want to miss: What it’s like to grow up in the most populated city in North America: Mexico City How Oscar pivoted from hitting rock bottom with his company’s bankruptcy to starting over in Toronto with his wife (even when they were told they were “too old” to immigrate!) 8 years in Toronto: Adjusting to expensive grocery & rent prices! How to decide whether to live downtown or commute in from the suburbs… The simple question you can ask yourself when wondering which experts you can trust in Canada. Comfort Zone: The art of podcasting and creative writing in a foreign language. Some small examples of how to get out of your comfort zone and make the most out of your experience! PLUS, find out which Guinness World Records Mexico City has under its belt… Hint: “It’s close to midnight…”   Links & Resources: Listen to the Immigrants of Toronto podcast: immigrantsoftoronto.com LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter The most impactful episode: Ep 19 - Escaping an abusive husband Recommended area of Mexico City to explore: Coyoacán 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!

This week’s guest is the perfect example of throwing caution to the wind and yelling ‘Why Not?!’ when faced with life-changing opportunities. If you need some serious career inspiration, this is the episode for you. Originally from the Philippines, Belle has over 15 years of experience working with the most innovative tech brands such as Spotify, Netflix, Airbnb, Uber and TikTok. We chat about her impressive career, her advice for chasing your dream job, her new ‘Why Not?’ podcast, family life in Canada and more.   You don’t want to miss: Belle’s experience growing up in the suburbs of Manila, Philippines, and dealing with the sudden death of her father at a young age. Her 1st big ‘Why Not?’ moment: Moving from the Philippines to Thailand on a whim after being offered a job position from a friend! Her INCREDIBLE career from Radio DJ to working in Public Relations in Singapore for Spotify, Netflix, TikTok, and more. Her best advice for how to spot these ‘cool’ emerging companies and opportunities. Her teenage daughter’s experience enrolling in Grade 10 in a Canadian high school during a pandemic and her best recommendations for family activities in downtown Toronto. PLUS, don’t miss out on amazing career opportunities: Why you SHOULD apply for jobs even if you are under qualified!   Links & Resources: Listen to the Why Not? Podcast: whynotthepodcast.buzzsprout.com Follow Belle on LinkedIn here. Podcast Socials:  Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn  Podcast Email: hello@whynotpodcast.com Register for recreation programs in Toronto 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!

Third Culture Kids are individuals who grew up in different culture(s) to their parents - and, as a result, develop a connection to not just one but to ALL of these cultures. In this episode, I chat with Carolina Santos Read, a self-confessed Third Culture Kid. She is a UK-born Latina who grew up in Spain and the USA. Now, she is a singer, actress, dancer and voice-over artist who recently moved to Toronto in early 2020... Just in time for the global pandemic. We chat about the various countries and cultures that have a piece of her heart, our shared experience planning weddings during a pandemic, and the importance of taking care of your mental health when moving to a new country. You don’t want to miss: The inside scoop from the life of a busy actress, singer, dancer, voice-over artist… Carolina’s favourite thing about each of her cultures: Brazil. England. Spain. USA. The truth about how being a third culture kid can lead to confusion around identity. What it’s like to have a traditional Moroccan wedding and be able to speak 6 languages with your husband! Moving to Toronto and struggling with the lack of community: The importance of talking to a professional about the challenges you face as a newcomer. Our experiences with exercising at home post-pandemic and the benefits it can bring. PLUS, the most important question: Which team Carolina and her family support during the World Cup…. Links & Resources: Visit Carolina’s website: carolinasantosread.com  Check out Carolina’s IMDB profile and YouTube channel. Follow Carolina on Instagram: @carolinasantosread Recommended podcast: You’re Welcome with Hilary Rushford Yoga meet-up group (Toronto): Newcomers Thru Yoga Class Pass (gym memberships across various locations): classpass.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!

Do you still need to file your 2020 income tax return? Do not fear, our expert is here! In this episode, I sit down with Paul Murphy, a Senior Communications Advisor at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to discuss important tax tips that newcomers to Canada should know. Paul breaks down the process of filing your annual income tax return. He shares some definitions of various available benefits, credits and deductions that you can claim as well as which frauds and scams to look out for. You don’t want to miss: What is CRA and what do they do? An explanation of Canada's income tax system (e.g. Statement of Earnings, T4 Slips, Pay Deductions, Self-assessment principle) When do you become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes? When do you and your partner become common-law for income tax purposes? Which benefits & credits could you apply for? Plus, definitions of the Canada child benefit, GST/HST credit, and Climate Action Incentive. Filing your tax return: Which income tax package to use, how to file your tax return by Internet, and when to send the CRA your tax return. Which deductions could you claim? How to avoid falling prey to frauds and scams. PLUS, have you been working from home due to the pandemic? Learn how you can claim up to $400 for home office expenses! Links & Resources: CRA’s main newcomers to Canada page: HERE  CRA’s webpage on residency status determination: HERE  Form RC151, GST/HST Credit Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada: HERE Canada Child Benefit application: HERE and HERE Full list of certified software for filing electronically: 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!

Happy New Year and thank you to everyone who voted for their favourite guest from Series 1! In this episode, host Kate reunites with poll winners Ashleigh from Australia (ep. 4), Karla from Mexico (ep. 5), and Adobea from Ghana (ep. 8) for a fun end of Series 1 get together. Get ready to laugh along with us as we share 2 truths, 1 lie about our native countries, who we’d invite to our perfect dinner party, and of course, further lessons and advice for other newcomers to Canada.   You don’t want to miss: 2 facts and 1 lie about our native countries: Can you guess which one is the lie?! (England, Australia, Ghana, and Mexico) If we could go back in time to when we FIRST arrived in Canada, what would we tell ourselves? What is our #1 favourite thing about Canada? What is the biggest myth that we want to debunk about Canada? Which 3 people living or dead would we invite to our dinner party? PLUS, an important discussion about Australian turtles that breathe out of their butts and English lawbreakers who handle salmon suspiciously… Listen to hear more! 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   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 - See you soon for Series 2!