If English is your second language and you’ve recently moved to an English-speaking country, this is the episode for you! I’m joined by the wonderful Elizabeth who moved from Colombia to Canada in 2016. She chats with us about her experience with new and unexpected insecurities about herself and her accent when she first arrived. We also discuss what it’s like growing up in the coffee axis of Colombia, how to set the right expectations for your big move, and how to unapologetically embrace who. ...
Feb 10, 2022•42 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Immigrants. Are. Awesome. We are adventurous, adaptable, ambitious, community-driven, and naturally entrepreneurial. As the Harvard Business Review wrote in one of their articles, the immigrant mindset is one to STRIVE for in order to advance your career. This episode’s guest exhibits all of these qualities and more. In 2013, Alena met a stranger on a train in Moscow who introduced her to the idea of moving to Canada. Not long after that, she was packing her bags in search of a new challenge and...
Jan 28, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 8
What if “starting your career from scratch” after moving to Canada doesn’t have to be a bad thing? This episode’s guest has a truly inspiring knack for looking at every job as a learning opportunity and doing whatever it takes to succeed. Malek Aljabari moved to Canada in 2016 with his wife and then 1-year-old daughter, and with just $120 in his pocket, has progressed from a Domino’s and Uber employee, to a successful Engineering role, to now proud Entrepreneur. Malek reminds us all that we are ...
Jan 21, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 7
IELTS stands for The International English Language Testing System and is a test that is required by many English universities and English-speaking countries around the world. This week’s guest is Jessica Beck, a previous IELTS examiner of 14 years, a successful podcast host, and English teacher who has taught in Spain, Cambodia, Taiwan, and the United States. In this episode, she runs through what to expect when taking IELTS and shares some valuable study tips and strategies for those of you wh...
Jan 04, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Mental wellness abroad is not a topic that is widely discussed… We see moving to a new country as one big adventure and often disregard the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. This episode’s guest, Harisha from India, discusses how she finds inner strength in times of struggle and stresses the importance of slowing down and checking in with ourselves during such a big life transition. She also shares her moving to Canada story: How her husband moved to Canada in 2012 and it wasn’t until ...
Dec 22, 2021•50 min•Season 3Ep. 5
This episode’s guest is Chifuka from Zambia, Africa. Back in 2004, together with his parents and 4 brothers, 19-year-old Chifuka moved from the busy city of Kitwe to a small town in Saskatchewan. He tells us about his family’s experience of being the only immigrants in a white Canadian community. We also discuss how newcomers from countries that celebrate being humble and reserved can unexpectedly struggle in countries where confidence and assertiveness are rewarded. Chifuka offers fresh perspec...
Dec 14, 2021•43 min•Season 3Ep. 4
It’s time to learn about life in Alberta! Whether you’re still unsure about where exactly to move in Canada or you’re just interested in learning more about the different provinces, this episode’s guest has all the insider info. Marisol moved from Costa Rica to Edmonton, Alberta, 11 years ago after meeting her Canadian now-husband. Together, we chat about luscious Costa Rica and then dive deep into what to expect when living in Alberta from the cost of living to mountain adventures. You don’t wa...
Dec 07, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 3
When we move to a new country, we all have the same mission: To grow some meaningful connections with those around us in our new home… But what happens instead? We attend lots of events but end up talking about the weather or what we do and we leave with a list of new contacts but no real relationships. This episode’s guest is Jan Keck who moved from Germany to Toronto back in 2008. He shares some valuable tips for introducing yourself to strangers, and then how to nourish and grow both your new...
Nov 30, 2021•50 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Join me as I share another of my passionate pep talks! This time, the topic is: Careers in Canada. In this episode, I'm taking you through the journey from when I first started job hunting with no Canadian work experience back in 2017 to finally feeling happy and fulfilled in my career today. I share the different ways that I thought "outside of the box" and got creative when I was faced with unexpected job search challenges - and how you should always remember your worth and the value that you ...
Nov 23, 2021•23 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode, I am reunited with poll winners Itir from Turkey ( ep. 12 ), Elisabet from Spain ( ep. 14 ), and Carlotta from Italy ( ep. 18 ) for a fun end of Series 2 get together. Get ready to laugh along with us as we share 2 truths, 1 lie about our native countries, as well as dive deep into more personal aspects of moving abroad - Such as mental health barriers, Canadian culture, and more. You don’t want to miss: 2 facts, 1 lie about our native countries: Can you guess which one is the l...
Aug 31, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Montréal, Vancouver, or Toronto? If you’re stuck choosing between these 3 beautiful Canadian cities, we’ve got you covered! This episode’s guest is Sarah Mac from England and she has lived long-term in all 3 places since moving to Canada in 2008. She tells us the pros and cons of each - Including whether or not French language skills are vital for a life in Montréal. She also shares her journey from being burnt-out working in the Canadian film industry to becoming an inspiring coach for creative...
Aug 03, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 19
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 t...
Jul 27, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 18
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 boast...
Jul 20, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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 internationa...
Jul 14, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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 wil...
Jul 06, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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 s...
Jun 29, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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 Cana...
Jun 22, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Legally immigrating to a new country doesn’t always go to plan. In this episode, Itir from Turkey shares her story of finally living her Canadian dream when she came to study in Toronto, only to face immigration challenges and be forced to return. Her determination to research Canadian immigration pathways and to keep nurturing her network from abroad is an inspiring reminder to never give up on your goals. We chat about life in Istanbul, how she found a job in Canada whilst overseas and she giv...
Jun 15, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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. ...
Jun 08, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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...
Jun 01, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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...
May 25, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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 chal...
May 18, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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 2...
May 11, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 7
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 wan...
May 04, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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 w...
Apr 27, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 5
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 ...
Apr 20, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 i...
Apr 13, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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...
Apr 06, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 ...
Mar 30, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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...
Feb 02, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 20
