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...

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 +...

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: CAREER: Navigating the Canadian job market and rebuilding your success...

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...

If you’ve ever worked in the United Kingdom (no matter what nationality you are), you have paid into the UK State Pension. Once you move away, say to Canada, you might think that those payments are simply lost, or like me, you’re unsure what can even be done from overseas… Good news is, I’m joined in this episode by Ian Andexser, a fellow Brit in Canada and chairman of the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners (CABP). He’s here to shed light on how you can “buy back” missing years of...

If you’re inspired by “money mindset” podcasts, this is the episode for you!  There comes a time in your immigration journey when you’ll start looking to the future and thinking about how to build your wealth in Canada long-term. This episode’s guest, Tomisin Salam, is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to Canada in 2011 to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Together, we chat about the art of taking educated risks and grabbing the endless opportunities that Canada has to offer. ...

As new residents and citizens of Canada, it is so important for us to learn about and become allies for its Indigenous Peoples. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples have been living in what is now Canada for thousands of years, and they each have unique histories, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs.  We newcomers are now lucky enough to call this beautiful country our home - but we must remind ourselves that we are living on their land. In this episode, I’m joined by...

Imagine moving across the world and, on a whim, entering an online contest called Canada’s Luckiest Newcomer…  Now imagine getting the phone call that you’ve actually WON, out of thousands of entrants, and a bundle of life-changing prizes is on its way to you… including $20,000, free groceries for a year, 50,000 Air Miles, and more! That’s what happened to this episode’s guest, Hannibal from the Philippines. Tune in to this episode to hear all about Hannibal’s experience arriving in Canada...

Searching for some camping tips as you head out into Canada’s National Parks this summer? Look no further! This episode’s guest, Audrey Levesque, is a Canadian camping expert who has worked with Parks Canada for over 20 years. Canada’s diverse NATURE is one of the main reasons that newcomers give for moving here and Parks Canada manages and protects many of the most special places it has to offer - 171 national historic sites, 47 national parks and 5 national marine conservation areas to be...

I'm back on the mic and officially a MOTHER to 8-week-old Sienna Joy - and what a whirlwind it has been... Tune in to this episode to hear exactly what went down (11 days overdue, multiple induction procedures, failed epidurals, doctor unavailable due to family emergency, the FULL birth story!) As well as my postpartum experience so far including my struggles with guilt and loneliness due to starting a family abroad and my best advice for when you do the same.    Links & Resources: ...

Roberto was just 18 years old when he moved from Mexico to Canada to be an international student. 17 years later, he’s built a successful career and family life in Canada and he's here to share with us the ups and downs of his journey. Today, Roberto gives back to the newcomer community through his work at the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. They run the Citizenship ceremonies that you’ll attend when you eventually get that all-important Canadian passport; as well as their incredible...

This episode’s guest is Ashley from Glasgow, Scotland, who moved to Burlington, Ontario in 2019. Ashley’s son was born in Scotland - Shortly followed by the birth of her daughter here in Canada. As she’s experienced both, Ashley is here to highlight the differences that she’s noticed when having a baby using the UK’s National Health Service vs. The Canadian Healthcare system. Together, we chat about: UK vs. Canada: Weather, cost of living, retail stores, and beyond. What it’s like having...

Newcomers often arrive in Canada full of confidence that they’ll soon find a job in their field and thrive in their new home… Unfortunately, it isn’t always that simple. The Canadian job search can be notoriously challenging and many immigrants suddenly find themselves doubting their experience and skills. This episode’s guest, Brenda Ngure from Kenya, is here to remind us of everything that we CAN offer employers and how we should never lose sight of the value we bring from overseas.  ...

Ever wondered what the workplace culture in Canada is like?  Turns out that there can be a lot of unexpected differences to get your head around when you first start your career here.  From the amount of paid time off you are entitled to, to the famous American “hustle” culture, to how much time you spend socialising with your colleagues after work. In this episode, I’m joined by Lindsay McMahon, co-host of the immensely popular podcast All Ears English (which is downloaded a whopping 8...

Are you wondering what it’s like to live in small vs. big cities in Canada? Look no further than this episode’s guest, Mustafa from Pakistan. In this episode, he shares his experience of being an international student at Queen’s University and moving from crowded Karachi to the close-knit community of Kingston, Ontario. He also explains his career path as a fresh graduate in Canada and his experience living and working in Toronto.   You don’t want to miss:   All about growing up in...

Dreaming of moving to Vancouver Island? I don’t blame you! We have all seen the stunning ocean and mountain landscapes that British Colombia has to offer… This episode’s guest, Emme, is originally from Yorkshire in England and moved to Toronto in 2016. After spending several months in the bustling city, she decided to pack her bags and move solo to Vancouver Island in search of a more tranquil and scenic lifestyle. In this episode, we chat about what to expect from life on the island, the...

Join me as I share another of my passionate pep talks! This time, the topic is: Self-Sabotage. I'm sharing 5 behaviours and mindsets to avoid after moving abroad that could be setting back your progress and hindering your whole experience. You might not even know you're doing it... Let me know if you're guilty! Links & Resources: WIRELESSWAVE Black Friday Deals on smartphones, data plans, and accessories: https://direc.to/i3Hr  Download my 50 free tips from newcomers to Canada: What...

In this episode, I am reunited with poll winners Elizabeth from Colombia (ep. 9), Harisha from India (ep. 5), and Mike from Brazil (ep. 17) for a fun end of Series 3 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 adjusting to a different workplace culture, growing up with immigrant parents, tipping expectations, and finding the right balance between friends from...

Looking for some job search tips? Luckily, this episode’s guest knows all about how best to navigate the Canadian job market! Hugo O’Doherty is originally from Ireland and he moved to Montreal in 2011. He is also a Product Manager at Moving2Canada: An invaluable resource for newcomers offering endless recruitment & immigration information. Together we chat about life in Montreal, the global Irish community, and how he and his wife had a baby during the pandemic! We also dive deep into...

Congratulations! Canadian Citizenship is the final step in your immigration journey… That passport will feel SO good when you finally have it in your hands. If you think you’re ready to start your application, this episode’s guest, Canadian Immigration Lawyer, Larry Butkowsky from Butkowsky Immigration Law, is here to help. *Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on August 5, 2022. Always check the IRCC website for the most up-to-date and accurate information. You don’t want to miss: ...

In 2016, Mike decided to abandon his Law career in Brazil to start a new adventure in Toronto. Fast forward to today, he’s now living an entirely different and unexpected life! He is a successful entrepreneur, has built a cool online community of English learners over on his Instagram @itsteachermike, and is expecting his second child with the love of his life! In this episode, he shares with us his honest (and often hilarious!) experiences with culture shock and how he has adapted from...

Sometimes a story comes along that every person on earth should hear - The story of Tareq Hadhad and his family is one of them.  A once displaced Syrian refugee, Tareq is now a Canadian CEO and a public speaker who tours the country to inspire audiences, advocate for immigration, humanize refugees, and share his family’s incredible story of survival.  In this episode, he walks us through his family’s journey from a loving, peaceful life in their home city of Damascus, Syria, to losing...

Thinking of moving to Manitoba? When choosing which Canadian province to move to, it can be easy to focus on the most popular ones (e.g. British Colombia or Ontario...) Instead, I bring you this episode’s wonderful guest, Diane Bergman, who was born and raised in Winnipeg and is here to tell us all about life in Manitoba! Diane is the founder of Prairie Relocation, a concierge-style relocation company that welcomes and helps set up newcomers in Manitoba. In this episode, she also breaks...

Volunteering in Canada when you’re a newcomer has so many benefits, including meeting new people, building your resume and learning new social norms. This episode’s guest, Lina Sobhy, would not be where she is today in her career without it. She is originally from Egypt and moved to Montreal in 2013 to finally reunite with her husband after living apart from him for 4 years. We chat about making friends as an adult, how to find great volunteering opportunities in your area, as well as Lina’s...