Become self-reliant as an immigrant in Canada

Life as a newcomer in Canada can be quite different from what you were used to before immigrating. As you adapt to a new culture and establish yourself, you’ll notice that people in Canada are very self-reliant. Here’s why it’s crucial and how can do it too.

Look after your health – both physical and mental 

Coming to a new country can be overwhelming. Finding a new job, locating a place to live, and getting your documentation organized…all of these are necessary tasks that can be tedious, time-consuming, and frustrating. 

If you’re not careful, these could make you feel tired and miserable. Becoming self-reliant as an immigrant in Canada involves staying healthy and fit. Exercising is one of the best ways to make yourself feel good: Canada is home to many city parks and extensive hiking trails, making it easy to exercise in the great outdoors. Feel free to bring a friend along.

“Moving here significantly affected my mental health, especially during the winters,” said Siva Prakash, an international student in Mississauga. “This situation took a toll on my mental well-being. What helped me get through it was regularly hitting the gym. The gym here is pretty good, and it helps with mental health issues. It helps me have social interactions, and aids in deep sleep and enhanced self-esteem to some degree.”

Also read: The right mindset for a newcomer to Canada

Making friends is also essential in Canada. They are your social circle away from your family and are often going through (or have been through) the same challenges you are. As you go through the steps of settling in, you’ll find many opportunities to automatically make friends: at a settlement agency, community centre, library, sports centre, volunteer organization, place of worship, or your language classes, among other locations.

“It is paramount to have a support network that helps you navigate the challenges that come with moving to a new country,” says David Mendoza, an educator and the CEO of Orbit 5, who is himself an immigrant to Canada. “Everyone who moves to Canada must make their mental health a top priority so that they can succeed when finding employment.”

Learn to navigate the important aspects of your life

Another area where you need to become self-reliant as an immigrant is in the day-to-day aspects of your life. You might be used to the comforts of employing a cook, a cleaner or a maid back home, but these services are very expensive in Canada and will become a drain on your wallet very quickly. 

“Canada can be overwhelming for people who are living abroad for the first time, especially considering significantly higher living costs,” says Sayonto Gupta, who moved from India. “Learning to cook and clean makes one independent in ways that were not possible previously because there is always help available back home.”

Also read: Firsthand tips – Immigrants share their learnings for newcomers to Canada

Most people therefore learn to cook for themselves, even if they are simple, basic meals that can be put together quickly. Cooking provides a healthier, more sustainable alternative to fixing your daily meals as compared to eating out at a restaurant regularly, which can be an expensive proposition in Canada. Allocating a set time every week to cooking and cleaning also helps you get into a routine. These are also great life skills to teach your young kids and help them become independent. 

You will need to prioritize affordability when you first come to Canada. Shortly after you arrive, navigate your neighbourhood by using public transportation: it’ll help you find out where you can buy your essentials, find locations that are important to you, and give you a feel of the area around you. Public transportation will be your lifeline after you arrive at your chosen destination. 

Become proficient in English and/or French to become self-reliant as an immigrant

English and French are Canada’s official languages. English is spoken across much of the country, while Quebec uses French as its official language. There are also Francophone communities across the rest of Canada. 

It is vital, therefore, that you are proficient in either one of these languages, depending on where you’re moving to, and it does not hurt to supplement your skills with the other. Being bilingual in Canada gives you an advantage when you’re finding work, and most government jobs require you to be proficient in both English and French.

Language proficiency is your foundation stone, if you need to become self-reliant as an immigrant. It is essential to finding your way around your new home, making friends, communicating with people, and finding a job. 

“You need to know English to succeed – the importance of speaking English is sometimes overlooked by newcomers,” said Brian Aguilar, who moved from Mexico. “If you know English, it becomes much easier to find work, you become more independent, and you are not overly reliant on the help of others.”

Fortunately, Canada offers newcomers free English and French language classes, which can be attended both in-person and online. Hurakhsh Hazheer, who is originally from Afghanistan, took up French classes at Collège Boréal in Ontario to make her job applications stand out. 

“My background is in international relations, so I want to start working in the public sector,” she says. “When I arrived here, I realized that if I were bilingual, my job applications would be in a higher position.”

Also read: The YMCA of GTA offers free English & French language assessment for immigrants to Canada

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