The New to Canada Podcast

For many, 2020 has been a year for major career reevaluation. We spend a significant chunk of our lives working and we are now increasingly striving for that perfect marriage between what we love doing, what the world needs, and what can be monetized. Enter this episode’s guest: Nada Buhendi, a career coach originally from Bahrain who moved to Ontario 19 years ago. She shares her story of growing up in a dysfunctional family and how she broke the cycle to pursue education abroad as a free woman. We chat about how career passion cannot be ‘found’ but instead ‘developed’, and Nada inspires us to confront childhood trauma and build a solid career path to fulfilment. You don’t want to miss: Nada’s experiences with culture shock and depression when arriving in Kingston, ON as an international student. Her empowering tips to understand your strengths, confront your habits that may be holding you back, and find the right career path for you. The importance of environment: How to adjust your surroundings to be more in line with your intrinsic needs. PLUS, how finding the right mentor can be the key to discovering the roadmap to career success.    Links & Resources: Connect with Nada on LinkedIn: Nada Buhendi 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 COVID-19 global pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to people around the world. The ways in which it has affected individuals and families are countless; but one way is leaving Canada’s international newcomers isolated, unsupported, and in a state of complete unknown. This episode’s guest, Raquel Dias, arrived in Toronto one month before the pandemic announcement. With her Embassy telling her to flee back to Portugal before borders shut, she decided to stay and has since found a job and settled here against all odds. We discuss how the pandemic has been both her biggest struggle and biggest win; and she offers us a refreshing, much-needed, optimistic outlook for the days ahead. You don’t want to miss: All about Portimão, Portugal, dealing with all those pale British tourists(!), and the differences between the Spanish and Portuguese people. The logistics of a multicultural relationship: How Raquel (Portuguese) speaks Spanish with her Italian boyfriend! Her experience leaving +20°c in Portugal and arriving 24 hours later to -20°c in Toronto. Some top tips for applying for jobs and making new friends virtually during a global pandemic. A huge dose of much-needed positivity and an optimistic outlook for 2021.   PLUS, a surprise poetry reading! Raquel shares her touching Portuguese poem about homesickness and its conflicting messages. Links & Resources: Check out Raquel’s website: RaquelPDias.com Follow Raquel on Instagram: @raqueeeeeldias 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 Raquel’s poem “v de volition”: há uma voz perdida na multidão  uma voz que resgata a saudade e sussurra vem ou seria vai ?   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!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - But spending this family-oriented holiday season abroad away from our loved ones and familiar surroundings can be really challenging.  In this shorter episode, I'm sharing the biggest 5 mistakes to avoid over the next few weeks that may increase your homesickness and sabotage the joy of the season! Listen to this easy-to-digest episode to hear my experience of homesickness over the holidays and the steps you can take to lessen the struggle. 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 - Until next week! 

Food has the power to unite people, cross language barriers and bond us between cultures. This episode’s guest, Kaori Hisada, moved from Japan to Canada 13 years ago. She shares her unique journey from reggae dancer who had never picked up a knife, to becoming a successful sous-chef in downtown Toronto. We cover Kaori’s best recommendations for Japanese cuisine, Toronto’s culinary hotspots and what you can do if you’re an aspiring chef. She also discusses her struggle to learn English and how she forced herself to take a job in an English-speaking restaurant to overcome it. Her story is one of perseverance and the ultimate career pivot. You don’t want to miss: Reality check: All about Sapporo’s winter season and how, in comparison, it really isn’t *that* cold in Canada! The best Japanese dishes to try on Hokkaido island and what you SHOULD be ordering at your local sushi restaurant. Some words of encouragement and simple advice to learn English faster. The best street food and festivals to check out in Toronto. All about Kaori’s famous Octopus balls or “Takoyaki”! PLUS, some inspiration for aspiring chefs! How Kaori learnt her trade from others in the business and by watching YouTube. Links & Resources: Follow Kaori on Instagram: @kaorifromtakoyaki6ix Unfortunately, the vegetarian restaurant recommended by Kaori in this episode, run by a Japanese immigrant, has since closed. 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! 

After working as nurses in Lebanon during the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Diala Sharab and her husband were given the opportunity to bypass travel restrictions and immigrate to Canada as skilled refugees. Since then, they have been adjusting to life as newlyweds and making a difference in vulnerable people’s lives in Canada as much-needed home care professionals. In this episode, Diala sheds light on the refugee crisis in Lebanon and what it means for the people who are directly affected. She then shares an honest account of the ups and downs since moving here and her unwavering gratitude for Toronto’s multiculturalism and the organisations that made her move possible. You don’t want to miss: Starting from scratch: Diala’s experience arriving in Canada as a refugee and beginning her new job as a personal support worker. All about the 2 organisations that have changed Diala’s life: Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) and VHA Home Healthcare. The experience of Diala’s great-grandparents who fled conflict in Palestine to seek refuge in Lebanon. The importance of changing the narrative around the word “refugee” and showing compassion towards the individual humans behind each photo and media story.   PLUS, possibly the best love story ever?! How Diala and her husband, Yehya, both applied to the same refugee pilot program before they met, and ultimately got identical job offers a day before their engagement. Links & Resources: Follow @ChooseLove on Instagram & help spread compassion for refugees. Read about Diala & Yehya in Global News. 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! 

Wondering how to tell your kids that the family is moving abroad? Worried about how you can prepare them or how they will settle into their new school? You asked, we listened! In this episode, we cover this topic from all angles with Terence Chee from Malaysia. He shares his experience as a parent moving his family of 4 to Canada from Kuala Lumpur. Then, podcast host, Kate shares the child’s point of view after moving from England to France when she was 12 years old. You don’t want to miss: All about Kuala Lumpur and the gel that holds it together: The food! Moving a family of 4 to Toronto and their 1st impressions of the city. What factors to consider when choosing a new neighbourhood for your family. How early to tell your kids about an upcoming move and how best to include them in the process. The simple ways to lessen your kid’s culture shock. The most essential appointment to make upon your arrival to learn about the Canadian schooling system. What to look out for: The struggles that your children may have and how siblings can help one another. The differences between Malaysian education and Canadian education! PLUS, watching your kids be influenced by Canadian culture and how to keep them in touch with their roots.   Links & Resources: Connect with Terence on LinkedIn. Find your local Welcome Centre: welcomecentre.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! 

Moving abroad is the perfect chance to reflect on who you want to be and to refine your personal branding. Being able to clearly communicate what you do and what opportunities you’re looking for is key when starting over in Canada. This week’s guest is Nina Bader, founder of Creative Kommunikation, who is originally from Switzerland and has lived in Vancouver since 2016. In just ONE month, Nina graduated, moved to Canada with only 2 suitcases, started her first job and moved in with her boyfriend… She doesn’t mess around! In this episode, she inspires us to shake up our personal branding, confidently stand out from the crowd, and grab new opportunities with both hands. You don’t want to miss: Swiss countryside vs. City life in Zürich! How the Swiss people put the rest of us to shame with their language skills. Long-distance relationship tips: How Nina & her now fiancé spent 1.5 years apart. How to be proactive in your job or internship search and find opportunities that many people don’t know about. Nina’s struggles with homesickness and saying goodbye to new friends who only stay in Canada short-term. Personal branding: What it is and why it’s important. Some simple prompts to start figuring out who you are and what you want to be known for in your new life abroad. Elevator pitch: How to confidently “boast” about your skills and the closing questions that you should include every time. PLUS, the best places to taste REAL Swiss cheese & chocolate…   Links & Resources: Creative Kommunikation: creativekommunikation.wordpress.com Follow Nina on Instagram: @whataboutnina Nina’s recommended chocolate: Läderach! 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! 

A positive mindset and a productive plan of action can make or break your move abroad. This week’s guest is Progressholic podcast host, Devesh Tilokani. He is an international student who moved solo from Dubai to London ON, 3 years ago when he was only 18 years old. In this episode, Devesh shares his passion for personal growth and the different tactics he uses to bounce back when feeling low, in a rut or demotivated. We chat about his experience growing up in Dubai, bust some popular myths about UAE and bond over our love of podcast hosting.    You don’t want to miss: Why growing up in Dubai allowed Devesh to move to Canada without any culture shock. Dubai myth-busting: Asking the awkward questions about popular UAE stereotypes. Sick family members overseas: How Devesh coped when he received the news about his Dad’s heart attack and was unable to rush home. Mindset: The simple ways to ‘snap out’ of those energy lulls and start building consistent positive habits. The best meditation tip for when your mind won’t shut off!! Productivity: Batching and the 80/20 Rule! How to make the most of your time abroad and boost your efficiency. PLUS, how Devesh got the infamous nickname “the Oil Prince” at Canadian parties…   Links & Resources: Connect with Devesh on LinkedIn  Learn more about Devesh’s podcast: progressholic.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! 

Networking is often plugged as the “must-do” activity in order to achieve success as a newcomer in Canada (no pressure, right?) But what if the idea of networking sends you into a cold-sweaty panic? This week’s guest, Mahlena-Rae Johnson, is a speaker, writer, and comedian who recently moved to Ontario from Los Angeles. She teaches ambitious introverts how to build solid communities and how to pivot to virtual networking now that our lives have moved online. We talk about her life growing up in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, her adult life in L.A., and her journey to Canada in search of a better quality of life as a Black-American woman. You don’t want to miss: Mahlena’s life growing up in the U.S. Virgin Islands and dealing with hurricane seasons. What food an American misses most that you can’t get in Canada... The effects that Canadian weather and diet can have on newcomers’ bodies! Networking in your pyjamas: Simple networking tips for introverts. How to leverage the recent shift towards a more virtual world and where to find “your people” online. The different ways to use each online platform depending on your networking goals and how to set them up so that more people can find you. Tips for in-person networking events: How to prepare before the event so that you set yourself up for maximum success. PLUS, the biggest mistake that people make at in-person networking events that will waste your time and lead to you missing out on important opportunities.   Links & Resources: Mahlena's website: bit.ly/mahlenaspeaks Mahlena on Instagram: @mahlenasguidetolife Mahlena on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mahlena/ 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! 

Backpacking couple, Ollie & Shonagh from Kilkenny, Ireland, share their experiences travelling together through 31 countries and how they ended up living long-term in Vancouver. Their honest account of the ups and downs is delivered alongside hilarious stories and lessons learnt along the way.  They share a warning to not always believe the “idyllic” picture of living abroad that many people share but also stress the importance of embracing your journey. We discuss relationships and how to best support one another when navigating huge life changes and they advise those looking to move to Canada on what to research beforehand to lessen the stress.     You don’t want to miss: All you need to know about growing up in rural Ireland. Stories from their backpacking trip across 31 countries and counting... Including surviving a typhoon! An honest review of moving to Vancouver and the struggles faced when looking for work and making new friends. Preparing for your move: How to keep your expectations in check when talking to other people about the living abroad experience and the most useful things to research. Canadian friendship culture: The differences they have noticed between the depth of personal connections here and in Ireland. The benefits of moving abroad as a couple, the importance of communication and how to support one another through the ups and downs. PLUS, what NOT to do when sleeping in your car in Canada (hint: don’t freeze to death and bring bear spray!) Links & Resources: Follow Ollie & Shonagh on Instagram: @backpackingcraic Check out their website: backpackingcraic.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!