Four Lessons From 4 Years in Canada
Shifting across the big pond is an enormous change
Four years ago, my hubby and I moved to Canada.
I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on this key event in our lives.
We had been in Europe for a few years, enjoying our travels from Iceland to Ibiza.
However, over time, we were attracted to Canada -
- It was English and French speaking
- It offered a diverse and inclusive society, being the ‘land of immigrants’
- It seemed like a great place to balance family and work life.
Thus, the decision to pack our bags and cross over to this side of the big pond.
I love being somewhere that makes little sense to me, so I can solve the conundrum and work away at it until I become a part of the surroundings.
We had a relatively smooth immigrant experience arriving in Canada, where we could secure great jobs within 2 months of arriving here in our fields of expertise.
We knew this was beginning and that there would be challenges along the way, as is true for anything in life.
We faced several personal and professional challenges which are to be expected in any international move.
For example, getting the job you want is the first step, but you have to face the pressure to start from scratch in a new place and prove yourself all over again.
You need to adapt to various cultural differences, make the right investments for your long-term growth and figure out how to move from ‘surviving’ to ‘thriving’ mode.
Looking back, I can say that all those challenges were a big enabler in our overall learning.
There were some key lessons learned I feel obligated to share with immigrants undergoing similar journeys.
1. You get what you put in
I had to change my mindset to accept this is a marathon and not a sprint. So I mustn’t expect rewards as soon as I would like.
If you move to a new country, my biggest advice would be to accept people with open minds and arms if that’s what you want in return.
Something often understated is how critical it is to have a great network in your new home that can build you up when you need it.
2. Focus on hard skills and soft skills, both
Be prepared to spend time to understand cultural intricacies, working styles and communication styles.
Then adapt to it.
This does not happen overnight.
I have relied on my networking and reading experiences to adapt my communication.
One of the best books that I have read on adapting your communication is Erin Meyer’s ‘The Culture Map’.
3. Preparation is the key to ‘luck’
There is no shortcut in life.
The sooner you adopt this mindset, the better it will be for you to create opportunities for yourself.
In Canada, there are robust systems and processes in place for everything, ranging from renting or buying a house to investing to healthcare.
I sometimes see immigrants don’t know the rules or try to escape them. Maybe it’s comfortable to want to follow the ways you have been used to.
It may seem lucrative when you are low on finances and trying to find a footing, and someone misleads you to save an extra buck by avoiding the right system.
The stress may get the better of you. However, if you think with a calm mind, you understand that it’s not worth harming your long-term future over short-term gains.
Recognize this trap by asking in-depth questions and researching about every new information you get. ‘
‘If something seems too good to be true, it usually is’.
4. Proactively manage your finances
Leverage your network to understand financial planning ways and means.
Understand total overall cost while making key financial decisions.
Especially look for the not-so-obvious hidden or new factors that you may not be aware of.
This isn’t easy to spot.
I had a hard time following the limitations and scope of Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) in Canada.
The locals understand it like the back of their hand, but it’s not so obvious for newcomers.
An extra tip ;)
Prioritize your overall health
Statistics Canada published research on how the immigrants’ mental health deteriorates after 6 years in Canada.
Here is the link —
Look after your physical and mental health by taking time to unwind, even though there are multiple priorities.
This will not be easy, especially in the first few years.
It took me a while to establish a routine with so many changes in my life.
I reminded myself that I am in this for the long haul, and I cannot continue in ‘survival mode’.
What about you?
How was your move to a new country?
Would love to hear the lessons you learned when you moved.
Lucky for you, I have opened some free slots until 30th May to discuss your international career transition challenges. If you’re serious about excelling at what you do, please reach out via the link below.
