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Hi!
So my cough got worse, and I got really sick. But nothing was gonna stop today’s email, especially because today makes it five years I moved to Canada.
It’s been five bittersweet years in this beautiful country.
In today’s newsletter: Lessons I’ve learned and I’m still learning after five years in Canada.
Also: Paul Adeyeye shares all you need to know about RRSPs as an immigrant.
Plus: The Newcomers is hosting an AMA on soft skills with Luki Danukarjanto, also known as the “soft skills guy.”
You can find the online version of the newsletter here.
5 years after moving to Canada
I dare say that immigration is like being a baby, only that this time you have the mental baggage of your former life to deal with as you grow into the new one.
On February 4th, 2021, I landed in Toronto as a 30-something-year-old man with an MBA, a decade of work experience, and a clear sense of who I was. Within weeks, I was learning how to do everything from scratch. Five years later, I'm still learning.
However, in that time, I’ve also worked with some amazing humans, made some great friends, tried dozens of cuisines, started a podcast where I’ve interviewed over 100 immigrants about their journeys, and become a Canadian citizen. I have also owed the CRA, undergone my first-ever surgery, lost my Dad, and buried a close friend via livestream.
None of the good things would have happened if I’d waited until I was ready.
Read the full thing here ⬇️
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What do you know about RRSPs?
Asides from it being a tax-deferred account that is used to save for retirement. Do you know what your contribution limits are for 2026? Or about the 3-year attribution rule?
Do you know about using a combination of the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and an RRSP to buy your first home?
Well, Paul Adeyeye has got all the goods for ya.
You just need to read it here ⬇️
What would you ask Luki Danukarjanto?
The Newcomers is hosting an AMA with Luki Danukarjanto, the "soft skills guy" on March 12th, 2pm ET. If you could ask him one question about:
Job search vs. networking
Soft skills that win in the age of the robots
How to prep for interviews in Canada
How networking actually works for international students and newcomers
Or any other topic that helps you get a job and keep it
What would be your one question? Hit the reply button, my friend.
Good finds
The Power of Together. Uche Ughonu, co-founder of the Black Catalyst Network Inc. (formerly Nigerian Canadian Life) was on the Thriving Immigrant Podcast to chat about being audacious and how he and Banks Falade have gone about building one of the best communities in Canada for Black immigrants and newcomers in Canada.
Job Search Trends in 2026. Mher Mardoyan had Yvonne Robinson, an executive career coach, come on his Crack the Hiring Code show to share what job search will look like in 2026. They talk AI, building relationships, and the skills that separate candidates.
Finding Work in Canada as a Newcomer: Immigrants Share What Actually Helps. Jobs are the first step towards feeling like you belong. And by jobs, I mean roles that suit your skillset. The folks at New Canadians have this great piece where they share practical insights from immigrants who successfully found jobs in their fields in Canada—and how you can too.
The Newcomers resources & guides
The Immigrant’s Guide to Canadian Small Talk. Learn why small talk matters more than you think in Canada, the art of the opening line, how to read the room, and how to make graceful exits.
The Canadian 3-Month Settlement Guide for Newcomers Sans Kids. Cos we all needed something like this when we landed in Canada.
Breaking Into Canada’s Skilled Trades. Canada needs 700,00 trade workers by 2028. Learn about the most accessible entry points as a newcomer, what your career progression could look like, and how much you’d be making.
Want to work with us? Check out The Newcomers Media Kit
Want more immigrant interviews? Listen to The Newcomers Podcast.
Looking to find out what Canadian immigration program you’re eligible for? Check out our Who’s Eligible For series.
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