Ever wondered how maple syrup is actually made here in Canada? This episode is my very first LIVE on-site tour and interview recording! Come and join me as I speak with Yvonne Storm from the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA), as she walks us through their beautiful sugar bush at Purple Woods, Ontario. There, they have been producing maple syrup for 47 years. Yvonne explains how to choose which maple trees to harvest sap from, how to tap them correctly, and then takes us...

Please note: This interview was recorded on January 26, 2022 before the Russian invasion of Ukraine was announced to the world. This episode’s guest, Zara Bagramian, was born in Armenia but moved to Kyiv, Ukraine with her family when she was one year old. We discuss both countries at length.  Zara would like to take this opportunity to share an organization with us that she has been supporting since this interview was recorded. Toronto real estate agents Natalia Popovitch and Todor Yordanov...

If you’ve grown up religiously following your country’s chosen national sports, it can be a real culture shock when you move to a new country where those sports just aren’t as popular… Enter this episode’s guest, Jack Tanetta from Wales, United Kingdom. Jack was studying at Cardiff University when he met his Canadian now-fiancée and moved to her Ontario hometown Ontario in 2017. In this episode, we discuss Jack’s tactic of using sports as a tool to meet new people in Canada and feel more at...

Want to know what it’s like to move to a new country as a young child? Emilia was just 11 years old when her parents decided to move their family from Honduras to Canada. Host, Kate, moved from England to France when she was just 13 years old. Together, we discuss the things that our parents did to help us settle that we are now thankful for today, language barriers, the guilt of leaving loved ones behind, and more. Whether you’re a parent worrying about your own children adjusting to a move...

The New to Canada podcast is a place for internationals from around the world to share their honest, real-life experience of moving to Canada. The host, Kate Johnson, went backpacking solo around South-East Asia in 2016 and met a dashing Canadian... Cue an unexpected move across the world from a crowded English city to a new lake life in rural Ontario! After living and working long-term in 5 different countries, Kate is passionate about helping you adjust to your big move abroad by sharing...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

We all have the same mission: To grow some meaningful connections 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 your connections so that you can surround yourself with YOUR...

Join your host, Kate Johnson, as she shares another of her passionate pep talks! This time, the topic is: Careers in Canada. In this episode, Kate takes us on a journey from when she first started job hunting with no Canadian work experience back in 2017 to finally feeling happy and fulfilled in her career today. She shares the different ways that she thought "outside of the box" and got creative when she was faced with unexpected job search challenges - and how you should always remember...

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.

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 introduces her inspiring coaching business for creative entrepreneurs and how YOU can make money doing something 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 talk for kicking fear to the curb, using it as fuel, and pushing through towards personal growth and success.

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.

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.

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.’ Assel shares her top tips to succeed as both an international student as well as a business owner in Canada and her motivational advice will get your entrepreneurial energy flowing!

Finding a supportive community abroad can make the world of difference when you are struggling to adjust. In this episode, I chat with Elisabet Camprubi who moved from Spain to Toronto in 2012. When she found herself struggling with loneliness and language barriers, Elisabet turned to yoga and quickly realised the life-changing benefits that it can bring to someone starting over abroad. She shares with us the importance of slowing down and introduces us to her newly launched community:...

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 Canada: Study Permit, Work Permit, Permanent Residency, Business...

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.

Finding a job in Canada is one of the biggest hurdles that newcomers face. 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. She shares vital advice for both pre-arrival and post-arrival internationals who are finding the Canadian job search process challenging.

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, host Kate Johnson talks about the importance of looking after your mental health during these continuous lockdowns. She runs through some common thought patterns that you may be struggling with and shares some simple mindset shifts to feel more positive in the days ahead.