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....
Dec 31, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 19
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 jo...
Dec 22, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 18
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 & R...
Dec 15, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 17
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 sh...
Dec 08, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 16
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....
Dec 01, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 15
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 ...
Nov 24, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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 boyfrien...
Nov 17, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 13
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 abou...
Nov 10, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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 ...
Nov 03, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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 be...
Oct 27, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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’ f...
Oct 20, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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 natu...
Oct 13, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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: ...
Oct 06, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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...
Sep 29, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 ...
Sep 22, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 c...
Sep 15, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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. Yo...
Sep 06, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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! ...
Aug 30, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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 mi...
Aug 30, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1
