The Power of Connection: How Our Mentors Support Newcomers Before Arrival
Preparing for life in a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. Questions about employment, community life, culture, housing, and everyday experiences often begin long before arrival.
Canada Connects, a mentorship initiative offered through SOPA (Settlement Online Pre-Arrival), helps make that transition easier by connecting eligible pre-arrival clients with volunteer mentors living in Canada. Participants are matched based on shared characteristics such as profession, destination city, language, age, or gender, helping create meaningful and relatable connections.
Mentors and mentees meet virtually on a regular basis to discuss life in Canada, workplace culture, settlement experiences, language practice, and other topics that help newcomers feel more prepared and confident before arrival.
During these conversations, mentors and mentees discuss topics such as Canadian customs and culture, tips for settling into a new community, employment preparation, language practice, emotional support, and everyday questions that often arise before arrival.
More than just information sharing, these conversations provide encouragement, build confidence, and help newcomers establish a connection in Canada before they even land. The goal is simple: to ensure newcomers do not feel alone as they begin their journey.
For many mentors, the experience becomes just as rewarding as it is for the newcomers they support.
From Receiving Support to Giving Back
One of the most inspiring aspects of Canada Connects is that many volunteers were once newcomers themselves.
Having benefited from SOPA services before arriving in Canada, Chiazor Chukwulobe experienced firsthand how impactful and supportive pre-arrival services can be.
“Having benefitted from ISANS’ SOPA services prior to my arrival in Canada, I experienced firsthand how impactful and supportive the program is. Inspired by that experience, I chose to volunteer, finding it deeply rewarding to support newcomers while working with a dedicated and welcoming team.”
Oluwaranmilowo Awoliyi shares a similar perspective. After benefiting from SOPA during her own settlement journey, she now helps newcomers navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a new life in Canada.
“Volunteering with SOPA has been truly rewarding, especially as someone who benefited from the program myself when I first arrived in Canada. I know firsthand how valuable it is to have someone guide you through what can feel like an overwhelming settlement process.”
For both volunteers, giving back is an opportunity to extend the same support they once received to others preparing for their arrival.
Helping Newcomers Feel Less Alone
Moving to a new country often comes with uncertainty. Questions about employment, daily life, community connections, and belonging can feel overwhelming, especially before arrival.
For volunteer Chinazaekpere Okochua, mentorship is about much more than sharing information.
“As someone who once navigated the challenges of settling in Canada without much guidance, I understand firsthand how overwhelming the journey can be. This personal experience inspired my commitment to supporting newcomers with empathy, patience, and practical guidance.”
She believes that mentorship helps restore confidence, foster belonging, and remind newcomers that they are not alone in the settlement process.
Dr. Naima Shaikh has also witnessed the impact that a simple conversation can have on someone preparing to move to Canada.
“Helping pre-arrival clients feel connected to their future community before they even land in Canada is both meaningful and impactful. I’ve seen firsthand how a little guidance can ease the transition and build confidence.”
These connections often become an important source of reassurance during a period of significant change.
Sharing Experience and Building Confidence
Many mentors support newcomers by sharing practical knowledge gained through their own experiences living and working in Canada.
Siddharth Sood has enjoyed helping internationally trained professionals navigate their transition and understand how to build a successful future in Canada.
“Being able to share my journey as a newcomer to Canada, along with practical insights on networking, job search strategies, and building a stable financial foundation, has been incredibly rewarding.”
Mentors help newcomers understand workplace expectations, networking practices, professional communication, and everyday realities that can be difficult to learn from online resources alone.
Similarly, SOPA Alberta Ambassador Ruth Abidoye credits pre-arrival preparation with helping her transition smoothly to life in Canada.
“My transition to Edmonton, Canada has been a smooth and positive experience, and I truly believe SOPA played a big role in that. Arriving prepared made it much easier for me to navigate a new cultural environment with confidence.”
Today, she is proud to support other newcomers as they prepare for their own journeys.
Building Stronger Communities Together
The impact of mentorship extends far beyond individual conversations.
When newcomers arrive feeling informed, confident, and connected, they are better positioned to build careers, establish community ties, and contribute to their new communities.
Volunteer David Orozco understands this well.
“I came to Canada in 2024 to reunite with my family. It has been an amazing experience, especially as I have been given so much support as a newcomer. Now I am glad to be able to support others as a volunteer and ease their transition to live in the country. It is truly meaningful.”
His experience reflects a common theme among Canada Connects mentors: the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s journey while contributing to stronger, more welcoming communities across Canada.
Canada Connects mentors help newcomers build confidence, connections, and a sense of belonging before arrival.
Become a Canada Connects Mentor
Canada Connects is currently seeking volunteer mentors who are interested in supporting newcomers before their arrival in Canada.
Whether you have lived in Canada for many years, are established in your profession, or have your own newcomer experience to share, your knowledge and encouragement can make a meaningful difference in someone’s settlement journey.
By becoming a mentor, you can help newcomers build confidence, gain practical insights, and feel connected before they arrive.
Most importantly, you can be the friendly face and trusted connection that helps someone begin their Canadian journey with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Interested in becoming a mentor?
Learn more about Canada Connects: https://arriveprepared.ca/course/canada-connects/
👉Apply to become a mentor:MyImpactPage – SOPA Canada Connects Application
Every newcomer’s journey begins with a first connection. By becoming a mentor, you can help someone feel welcomed, informed, and supported before they even arrive in Canada. Together, we can build stronger communities and support newcomer success—one connection at a time.