#9. Stop obsessing over the Canadian PR
Easier said than done though.
Hello,
And welcome to the 20+ new subscribers who signed up for The Newcomers in the past one week. Let’s get straight to it.
In today’s newsletter: Ritika Saraswat has some great advice for international students.
Also: Ben Su thinks America is the greatest startup in the world.
Plus: Newcomer, sans kids? We’ve got a 3-month settlement guide for you.
By: Dozie Anyaegbunam
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Int’l students need to stop obsessing over the Canadian PR
Easier said than done. But let’s hear Ritika Saraswat, Founder & CEO of Re-Defined, out. Because I believe the past 18 months haven't been exactly fair to international students in Canada. They've been blamed, labelled, and threatened. They've had to deal with policy changes, uncertainty, and expiring permits.
We are talking about humans here. Ritika thinks students should:
Come to Canada. Learn. Make new friends. Build connections. And if you get the chance to stay and contribute, great. If not, take what you've learned back home.
Again, easier said than done. And I think it’s worth adding this comment from
on the topic, “Never forget you are the ASSET, not your postal code or PR papers.”Listen to the full episode⤵
Why are some of Canada’s best founders leaving for the US?
What happens if a country's startup ecosystem optimizes for the wrong metrics?
You get what we are currently dealing with in Canada: builders moving to the US, incubators charging startups to access grants, and entrepreneurs learning how to pitch to bureaucrats instead of selling to customers.
Ben Su, Co-Founder COO of Capita, thinks we would have better Canadian startups if the government stepped out of the way and allow the market decide who stays up and who goes to the startup graveyard.
This is what we majorly have south of the border.
Listen to the full episode⤵
The Canadian 3-month settlement guide for newcomers without kids
Settling into a new country is tough. Like tough tough. When I moved in 2021, I had some friends to ask questions. But it was still overwhelming, frustrating, and anxiety-inducing.
This relocation guide is a love letter to the Dozie that moved to Canada 4+ years ago. Granted, I moved with a kid. But reading something like this as the snow pelted down in Ottawa would have been helpful in many ways.
Read the full guide⤵
What am I excited about?
Dapo Bankole’s Mentorfy Ascend. Because as an immigrant professional, finding a mentor can be the difference between years of wondering if you are the problem or building a great career.
Nadine Niba’s Amazon best selling book, Quarterback. I’ve still got three copies to give out. So, reach out if you’re an immigrant in Canada. First come. First served.
The Newcomers colouring book. The stuff guests have been sending in are all sorts of amazing. I’ll be setting up a pre-order page once it goes to design.
Who: Black Business Edmonton, , a digital hub dedicated to promoting black-owned businesses, services, products, and events in the Edmonton area.
When: August 23 & 24 | 12PM - 9PM
Where: University of Alberta Butterdome | 11440 87 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB
What: one of Edmonton’s largest celebrations of Black entrepreneurship
Free
P.S. Vendor registration for the Black Business Edmonton (BBE) Trade Fair 2025 has been extended until July 11, 2025.
P.P.S. Can vendors from other communities participate? YES.