The New to Canada Podcast

If you’ve ever listened to the New to Canada podcast, you understand the value of hearing other newcomers’ stories and experiences. It’s the reason why I started this show. Moving to a new country can get TOUGH… and just knowing that we aren’t alone in our struggles can be so healing. Today's guest has spent her incredible journalism career shining a light on the stories of immigrants in Canada. In this episode, she opens up about some of the most inspiring people she’s had the privilege to meet, and the powerful lessons they've shared along the way. Introducing: Baisakhi Roy. Editor of Canadian Immigrant. Stories that you don’t want to miss: * A senior veteran journalist from Mexico and the workplace discrimination she experienced. * A young professional from Morocco who struggled to navigate the English language barrier when building her career. * A 13-year-old wracked with trauma, escaping Liberian civil war, who now mentors youth via the Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative. * A 3-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee who lost 3 daughters due to Israeli shells and has dedicated his life to working for global peace. * And many more! PLUS, Baisakhi tells us about her own experience moving to Canada from India in 2010 with a 4.5-year-old - and how precious mentorship and a supportive husband were key to her settlement.   Come say hi!  I’ll be at the Canadian Immigrant Fair in Toronto, this Friday, June 27 at the MTCC - hosting a table and recording the podcast live. It’s totally FREE to attend, so grab your spot and join the fun! Links & Resources: * Register FREE to attend Canadian Immigrant Fair: Click here [https://canadianimmigrant.ca/careerfair] * Connect with Baisakhi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baisakhiroy/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/baisakhiroy/]  * Follow Canadian Immigrant:  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-immigrant]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/canimmigrantfair]  |  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/canimmigrantfair/]  * Join the New to Canada Academy: Learn more [https://thenewcomercollective.com/academy/] * Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! https://thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ [https://thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/] * Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective [https://www.instagram.com/thenewcomercollective/] * For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com [https://thenewcomercollective.com/]

What happens when you move to a new country… and it doesn’t work out? You don’t find the happiness and success that you thought you would. You painfully miss everyone and everything that you left behind and feel like you’ve made a huge mistake. We’ve all gone through times of feeling this way, but it isn’t spoken about enough so you can end up feeling like a failure. Like you’re the only one struggling. This episode’s guest is Chiara from England. She has recently blown up on social media since she started to vulnerably share her story. She moved to Vancouver just last year and has since realised that it wasn’t the right decision for her. This podcast is filled with inspiring success stories from newcomers to Canada. People who have built amazing lives for themselves here. It’s truly an incredible country and there is so much opportunity. However, I was excited to sit down with Chiara for a different take. One that so many people share and experience (as you can see from the comments on her videos.) Sometimes, a move abroad doesn’t bring you happiness and a return back home is the best choice for you. Together, we discuss her story and what brought her to this decision. We chat about the danger of making a PLACE responsible for your happiness, and whether we think living outside of our comfort zones is even a positive thing. Chiara then shares whether she’s nervous about returning to her old life in London and some of her best advice for others who may be regretting their move. Links & Resources: * Follow Chiara on Instagram: @journeywithchiara__ [https://www.instagram.com/journeywithchiara__] * Follow Chiara on TikTok: @journeywithchiara [https://www.tiktok.com/@journeywithchiara] * Join the New to Canada Academy: Learn more [https://thenewcomercollective.com/academy/] * Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! https://mailchi.mp/f788d3c757fd/new-to-canadahttps://thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ [https://thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/] * Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective [https://www.instagram.com/thenewcomercollective/] * For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com [https://thenewcomercollective.com/]

For this special episode, I’m LIVE on the ground at Toronto’s ‘Newcomer Day’ that took place on May 23. Armed with my portable microphone, I wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the words “TALK TO ME: Share your immigration story on the New to Canada podcast” and I was excited to connect with 11 internationals: * Sophie from Ireland * Johnny from Lebanon * Samantha from Malaysia + Australia * Joseph from Nigeria  * Olha from Ukraine * Andrey from Israel * Leah from Kenya * Zahid from Pakistan * Wafaa from France + Morocco * Enrique from Venezuela * Julia from Ukraine In this episode, you can hear a few minutes from each guest as they share when they made the big move (ranging from 6 months to 20 years!), the struggles they faced, the wins they’re proud of, and their best piece of advice for other newcomers arriving in Canada today. Links & Resources: * (Sophie from Ireland) Irish in Toronto Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/123680717695499 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/123680717695499]   * (Samantha from Malaysia/Australia) Joey Dolls: joeydolls.com [https://joeydolls.com/]   * (Joseph from Nigeria) Diversity Kitchen: diversitykitchen.ca [https://diversitykitchen.ca/]  * (Zahid from Pakistan) Career Foundation: careerfoundation.com [https://careerfoundation.com/] * (Enrique Bravo from Venezuela): @enriquebravoart [https://www.instagram.com/enriquebravoart]  * Join the New to Canada Academy: Learn more [https://thenewcomercollective.com/academy/] * Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved!  TheNewcomerCollective.com/join [https://thenewcomercollective.com/join/]  * Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective [https://www.instagram.com/thenewcomercollective/] * For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com [https://thenewcomercollective.com/]

Recently, I hosted a live online event, my ‘Moving to Canada’ party! Not only was it SO much fun to meet and get to know you all in person, but it was also PACKED with so much value. It seemed crazy not to publish it here on the show for you all to experience... I’m joined by Career coach, Michelle Ashley, and together we tackle the TWO biggest areas of struggle that I see newcomers to Canada face, again and again: 1. CAREER: Navigating the Canadian job market and rebuilding your success abroad. 2. EMOTIONS: Finding your support network and feeling settled and ‘at home’. If you listen to just ONE episode of this podcast, this is the one. I’m so excited to share all this advice with you.   Links & Resources: * Join us inside the New to Canada Academy: Learn more [https://thenewcomercollective.com/academy/] - Save $50 with promo code PODCAST50 (valid for 14 days) * Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! https://mailchi.mp/f788d3c757fd/new-to-canadahttps://thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ [https://thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/]  * Join Career Strategist, Michelle, for a free webinar: "Navigating the Job Market with Clarity and Strategy"  - Together you'll cut through the job search noise, focus on gaining clarity about your ideal job, understand yourself better, and apply effective strategies to land that perfect role. Learn More [https://thetailoredcareer.ck.page/724eff1dae] * Use free online AI tool to scan your resume and get actionable tips to improve it: Jobscan.co [https://www.jobscan.co/]

Let’s dive deep into the darker side of moving abroad… When you move to a new country, your mental health isn’t really your first priority.  You’ve got immigration paperwork to complete, accommodation to find, and job searching to do… BUT expat mental health is a topic that, in my opinion, is NOT spoken about enough. The biggest lesson I’ve learnt since starting this podcast is that the majority of us struggle - and the emotional rollercoaster can take us by surprise as we rebuild our lives in a new place. Insecurity, loneliness, shame, regret… These are just some of the emotions that many of us face. SO for this episode, I’m joined by a very special guest - Gabriela Encina - A licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping over 400 people find happiness after their big move. Together, we chat about where to even START when it comes to acknowledging and tackling your emotional struggles. We discuss the most common challenges that Gabriela sees her clients face (guilt, self-sabotage, dependency...) and we finish off with some deep thoughts on homesickness & culture shock.   Links & Resources: * Gabriela's Website: gabriela-encina.com  [https://gabriela-encina.com/] * Connect with Gabriela on LinkedIn: Click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/psgabrielaencina/] * Join the New to Canada Academy: Learn more [https://thenewcomercollective.com/academy/] * Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What they wish they knew before they moved! https://mailchi.mp/f788d3c757fd/new-to-canadahttps://thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/ [https://thenewcomercollective.com/canada-tips/]  * Follow me on Instagram: @TheNewcomerCollective [https://www.instagram.com/thenewcomercollective/]  * For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com [https://thenewcomercollective.com/]