The New to Canada Podcast

Express Entry is the most common pathway chosen by skilled internationals in the quest for Canadian Permanent Residency. In this episode, Veronica Wilson from Roots Immigration Law breaks down the application process step-by-step and shares some frequent mistakes she sees that we should avoid. Veronica is an inspirational lawyer who has dedicated her time to changing the narrative around immigration and helping talented refugees to fill labour shortages in Canada. Quote ‘New to Canada podcast’ for a free introductory immigration assessment at Roots!   You don’t want to miss: Veronica’s story of teaching English in South Korea and supporting refugees around the world. The simple breakdown of the Canadian PR Express Entry application process. The infamous difficulties getting through to IRCC and some shortcuts to get your questions answered. Where to find out about Express Entry pool draws and the profile scores required. What to do when you don’t have a document that’s being requested and your submission deadline is looming…  What other evidence IRCC will accept in place of work experience references. What you can do if you’re self-employed or don’t have “traditional” work experience. Police Certificates & Photo requirements. Bridging Open Work Permits: What criteria you need to meet to be eligible to extend your stay. PLUS, the big mistake our host, Kate, made when submitting her work experience references!!! Links & Resources: Veronica’s email: veronica@rootsimmlaw.com Roots Immigration Law website: rootsimmlaw.com Roots Immigration Law LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rootsimmlaw Create your Express Entry Profile: Click here Canadian Work Experience - Employee vs Self-Employed: Click here Show an employer that your SIN is valid during Implied Status: 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! 

Have you been told that you “lack Canadian work experience” after applying for a job? This episode’s guest, Adobea Foli, moved from Ghana, Africa to Vancouver 5 years ago. She explains what employers actually mean when they give this rejection reason and what newcomers can do to boost their credibility and improve their hiring chances in Canada. We also chat about her life growing up in Ghana, her jet-set childhood visiting family around the world and her first impressions of Vancouver as a nature-avoiding city girl.   You don’t want to miss: Learn about Adobea’s life growing up in Ghana, Africa. Where to go to experience Ghanaian culture in Vancouver. What employers really mean when they say you "lack Canadian work experience”... The simple ways to boost your credibility and correctly present your international experience to a Canadian employer on your resume. Where to go to find volunteering opportunities and make connections.   Links & Resources: Learn more about StartGrowPivot: startgrowpivot.com  Adobea’s Instagram: @startgrowpivot Find volunteering opportunities: volunteer.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! 

Canada’s beautiful nature and multi-cultural inclusivity OR the American dream? This episode’s guest, Surya Dhulipala, has lived, studied and worked in both countries. Originally from Mumbai, India, Surya earned his PhD in Texas before moving to Canada to pursue a career in Environmental Science. We talk about his experiences as an immigrant in both Canada and the US and he shares some important advice on climate change and what we can do in our day-to-day lives to help.    You don’t want to miss: All you need to know about Mumbai, India. What an Indian really thinks about Westernised “butter chicken”... Day to day life as an international student in Pittsburgh, Austin & San Francisco. The differences between life as an immigrant in the USA vs. Canada. The questions you should ask yourself when deciding which country to move to. PLUS, the simple changes you can make in your daily life to help combat climate change: Straight from a PhD qualified Environmental Scientist. Links & Resources: Find Surya on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suryadhulipala/ 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!   

Packing up and shipping your belongings overseas... Where to even begin? This episode’s guest, Andrea van Niekerk, shares her experience sending a 40ft container from South Africa to Canada and runs through her best tips for saving money and making the process as quick and painless as possible. We also chat about making new friends as an adult and the challenges parents face when helping your children adjust to the move. Andrea is an expat blogger & YouTuber whose passion for her country and helping newcomers is astounding. Enjoy!   You don’t want to miss: All you need to know about Cape Town, South Africa, its many languages and Andrea’s top wine recommendations(!) Real talk: How to tackle making friends as an adult and the guilt you feel when you hang out with people from your own country. Packing tips: What things to bring with you and what can be re-bought in Canada. The biggest packing mistake parents make that can affect your child’s transition. The simple time-saving tips to make unpacking quick and easy on the other side. PLUS, what to expect when transporting your pets across the world! Links & Resources: Andrea’s YouTube channel:  youtube.com/c/andreavanniekerk   Andrea’s Instagram: @andreathesagirl Andrea’s blog & yoga classes:  justmyscene.com   Recommended South African Wine:  Nederburg & Almenkerk!! Transporting your pets abroad:  globalpaws.co.za    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! 

Starting a business in Canada is a goal that many immigrants strive towards. Sometimes, you just need someone to remind you that it IS achievable. Enter this episode’s guest: Karla Briones. Karla is a serial immigrant entrepreneur who helps other newcomers launch and grow successful businesses of their own. In this episode, we learn where her passion came from as she shares her family’s immigration story. Leaving instability and drug cartel violence behind, Karla and her family drove for 5 days in a U-Haul from Mexico to Canada. Their resulting journey of relentless setbacks and unbreakable ambition will leave you in awe.     You don’t want to miss: The story of her father’s unwavering determination to recertify as a veterinarian in Canada and open his own hospital. The first thing Karla says to an aspiring entrepreneur. How to tackle Imposter Syndrome (or what Karla calls: the itty bitty sh*y committee!) Where to go to find your “tribe” of fellow risk-takers. The simple way to build trust with your customers and boost sales. PLUS, what a Mexican truly thinks about Canadian “salsa”….   Links & Resources: Learn more about Karla’s newly launched Immigrants Developing Entrepreneurs Academy (IDEA): karlabriones.com/idea  Connect with Karla on Instagram: @karlabriones  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! 

Culture Shock is the disorientating feeling that you don’t quite “fit in” with the customs, attitudes, daily life or communication in your new home. In this episode, Ashleigh Baker, an Australian expat living in Vancouver, shares her personal experience with culture shock in her career; and runs through the different ways that it could be manifesting itself for you. We then chat about reverse culture shock: When you go back to your native country and suddenly feel like a foreigner! Yet another crazy symptom of moving abroad.   You don’t want to miss: All you need to know about life in Sydney, Australia! Some simple examples of how culture shock can show up in your life and how to turn it into a positive. The best mindset change to implement if you experience reverse culture shock when visiting your home country. PLUS, Toronto vs. Vancouver: Hear the comparison from someone who has lived and worked in both cities and her best advice for how you can decide where in Canada to live!   Links & Resources: Connect with Ashleigh on Instagram: @ashleighkatebaker 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!

Learning English by moving to an English-speaking country? That’s what this episode’s guest did! Astrid Moulin is a French Blogger (@fringinto) & Digital Marketing Expert. In this episode, she shares her story of arriving in Toronto without any English language skills and how she threw herself into the challenge. Now, 6 years later and fluent in 3 languages, she’s giving back to other newcomers like her and offering advice on how you can adjust, integrate and build a life that you love.   You don’t want to miss: All you need to know about life and culture in France. The best (and fun) way to get to know the accent and vocabulary of your new home. How to build your confidence to speak up, own it and embrace your mistakes. Why saying the word ‘focus’ with a French accent could get you in trouble... PLUS, Astrid shares her best tips for building a personal brand online and using social media to grow your network and attract opportunities.   Links & Resources: Visit Astrid’s blog: FringinTO.com Connect with Astrid on Instagram: @fringinto 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! 

Building a career in Canada can feel like a huge challenge due to your lack of connections as well as resume & interview expectations. In this episode, I sit down with David Mendoza, Director of Orbit5, who has 10 years of experience helping internationals discover their career path and transition successfully into Canadian life.David shares his inspiring journey from Colombia, to the UK, and eventually to Canada, in search of career fulfillment and happiness - and how you can find it too! You don’t want to miss: All you need to know about life and culture in Colombia. The simple FREE method to grow your network in Canada and open career doors. How to ignore what society tells you and figure out what career will make YOU happy. The Do’s and Don’ts for your resume in Canada. The best practices for virtual interviews & how to adapt to the digital recruitment world.   Links & Resources: Connect with David Mendoza on LinkedIn. Join David’s community & take advantage of his free weekly webinars: bit.ly/WebinarsOrbit5 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! 

Homesickness sucks - and it’s more common than you think! In this episode, get to know your host, Kate, as she shares her best tips for feeling better when you miss your loved ones and the country you left behind. She also shares the adventure-packed story behind her move to Canada from England. (Hint: It involves a paradise island in Thailand and a tanned Canadian backpacker…) You don’t want to miss: The simple mindset changes you can start making today to ease your homesickness. The biggest mistake that people make when going back to visit their native home. How to recognise the behaviours that could be sabotaging your experience abroad. PLUS, how to make more CANADIAN friends! Our stand-in Canadian host shares the secret places where they all hang out... Links & Resources: Download my 50 FREE tips from newcomers to Canada - What they wish they knew before they moved: thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ Discover local networking events, clubs & groups near you: Meetup.com  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!