Today, I feel a sense of belonging. Canada is my home.

Marina Negrivoda
Today, I feel a sense of belonging. Canada is my home.

But 9 years ago, we had just arrived in Montreal, Quebec, standing at the threshold of a new life. One question filled my mind: What comes next?

At the time, I thought the hardest part was obtaining permanent resident status. But I was wrong. The real challenges began the moment we crossed the border.

Immigration is not just a date stamped on your visa — it’s a journey.

We often don’t realize that immigration continues long after the documents are received. The real questions come later:

  • How do you find yourself?
  • How do you become part of a new country?
  • How do you overcome loneliness and fear while being a role model for your children?

Every immigrant faces unique challenges, but we all share the same struggle — the fight to be accepted and understood.

What challenges do newcomers face?
According to Statistics Canada, the first 12 months are the hardest in terms of adaptation.
📊 44% of newcomers report high stress levels, and 30% feel isolated and unneeded.

Common issues immigrants face at the beginning:

  • Language barriers
  • Financial instability
  • Loss of career and professional identity
  • Lack of diploma recognition
  • Social isolation
  • Culture shock
  • Psychological pressure
  • Difficulty building a support network

So how can you cope? Here are my tips:

 

1. Prepare in advance!

Learn about Canada — especially the province you’re moving to. It can help avoid many surprises.

When you receive an invitation to immigrate to Canada (e.g., a Confirmation of Permanent Residence – COPR), you become eligible for free pre-arrival services funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These services help you prepare for life, work, and integration in Canada — before you even arrive.

What are pre-arrival services?
These free online and in-person programs include:

  • A needs assessment and personalized settlement plan
  • Information on life in Canada: housing, healthcare, education, transport, taxes, etc.
  • Job search support, including resume writing, interview preparation, and understanding Canadian work culture
  • Connections with employers and mentors
  • Referrals to post-arrival services
  • Specialized programs for youth, families, refugees, and Francophones

Learn more:
IRCC official pre-arrival services:

Top Pre-Arrival Programs:

  1. Planning for Canada – https://www.planningforcanada.ca/
    Webinars, 1-on-1 sessions, and a digital library. Available globally!
  2. Next Stop Canada – https://nextstopcanada.ca/
    Interactive platform with webinars, chats, mentorship, and youth programs (ages 12–19).
  3. SOPA (Settlement Online Pre-Arrival) – https://arriveprepared.ca/
    Focus on employment: resume courses, interview prep, Canadian work culture.
  4. AEIP (Active Engagement and Integration Project) – https://aeipsuccess.ca/
    Webinars and individual consultations in English, French, Chinese, and Spanish.
  5. Pre Arrival Canada – https://www.prearrivalcanada.ca/
    A hub that connects you to several programs at once.

Additional resources you can use even before immigrating:

 

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Canada offers many organizations that support newcomers in their early stages:

In Montreal, Quebec:

  • PROMIS – family assistance, language classes, integration
  • CARI St-Laurent – support for parents and women, career orientation
  • ALAC – employment, French courses, integration
  • Hirondelle – housing, adaptation, free translation services
  • L’OEIL – legal aid on housing and tenant rights
  • TCRI – coalition of immigrant-serving organizations

In Toronto, Ontario:

In Vancouver, British Columbia:

 

3. Engage and connect!

Get out of your comfort zone. Join events, volunteer, participate.

Isolation is the #1 enemy. It’s often the most damaging part of the immigration journey. Many newcomers are hesitant to ask for help or fear they won’t be understood. But isolation isn’t protection — it’s a trap.

Even if it’s scary or hard — seek out communities and get involved in life.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), social connections lower anxiety by 30–50% and speed up integration 2–3 times compared to those who remain isolated.

So how do you find friends and a sense of belonging?
Psychologists say social engagement is one of the key factors in successful integration.

“The sense of belonging is not something you wait to happen — it’s something you create.”

Tips:

  • Connect through Facebook groups and newcomer communities.
  • Volunteer to gain experience, practice language, and meet people.

Top volunteer platforms:

 

Make friends through sports and nature

Physical activity not only supports your health but also helps create connections. Canada is a sports-loving country. Every neighborhood has pools, arenas, skating rinks, hockey, tennis, and more.

Popular activities include hiking and dragon boat paddling:

Hiking in Montreal:

Dragon Boat Paddling:

  • 22Dragons – one of the largest dragon boat clubs in Canada

 

How to grow your career and work in your profession?

Be ready to start from scratch.
Many arrive with strong backgrounds, diplomas, and careers — but in Canada, this is often not recognized. The first job is for survival. Then comes the desire to grow.

Tips:

  • Update your resume to Canadian format
  • Create a LinkedIn profile
  • Look for internships, mentorships, and volunteering
  • Get your education recognized in Canada

Helpful job and resource websites:

 

If you’re planning to move to Canada or just arrived, remember:

☑️ You are not alone
☑️ Help is available
☑️ Canada is a land of opportunity — but first, you have to learn how it works

Save this post, share it with friends. Someone might need it right now.
— Marina Negrivoda, Canadian Licensed Immigration Consultant