Posts Tagged ‘Client Story’
Guest Post: The Adventure – My New Life in Calgary
The adventure that is my new life in Calgary, Alberta began in the fall of 2022. Moving from Mumbai, India to begin alone in a place where I had no support system to rely on was scary. When I connected with SOPA, I expected to get information and resources. I did not expect the bonus…
Read MoreMoving To A New Country Is Never Easy But Pre-Arrival Programs Help Make It Easier
I am Cem Gurbuz, a permanent resident who came to Canada from Turkey in August 2022. My hometown is Gaziantep, one of the cities most affected by the massive earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023. Before coming to Canada, I was an English instructor and researcher at a state university in…
Read MoreHiba’s Story | Seeking Guidance And Connections Is Key In Your Pre-arrival Plan
Hiba moved from Lebanon to Vancouver, BC, in October 2022. Hiba has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, a master’s degree and ten years of quality and project management experience. She was enthusiastic but also anxious about kickstarting her career upon arrival. However, after two months of landing, she was delighted to get an opportunity…
Read MoreNewcomer Stories | Start Working on Your Job Search Before Your Arrival to be Prepared Right After
Three newcomers’ stories of successfully finding a job in British Columbia (BC), Canada soon after their arrival! All of them immigrated to BC and found jobs in their fields, however, their paths are different and their stories of finding success, and settling in Canada are different too. What is their secret? Keep reading to find…
Read MoreGuest Post: Moving to Canada | A short guide to Post-arrival
This second part of this guide will walk you through the basic post-arrival experience. The guide will also list, explain and give tips on what post-arrival steps you’ll need to take as part of your settlement process. This guide has been divided into two parts: Part 1 is covering the essential steps before leaving for…
Read MoreSOPA 2022 Highlights and 5 Most Read Stories of the Year
It’s that time of year. We are about to say goodbye to 2022! What are your plans for the New Year? For many of our clients, the fact of moving to a new country indicates a new and fresh start. Nothing better than starting a new life right by making new year’s resolutions? Whether it’s…
Read MoreGuest post: Falling in love with Calgary’s Parks
Hold on to what is good, even if it’s a handful of earth.Hold on to what you believe, even if it’s a tree that stands by itself.Hold on to what you must do, even if it’s a long way from here.Hold on to your life, even if it’s easier to let go.Hold on to my…
Read MoreKeep the focus on your long-term goals
Munir El Kadi who lived in many different countries before moving to Canada is sharing with us the role SOPA played in his success and the steps he took prior to his arrival in Canada. Hello Munir, please tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Munir El Kadi and I am originally…
Read MoreBeat the odds: Settling in Calgary During the Pandemic (Part 2)
I apologize that the second part of my blog is coming much later than anticipated. It’s been a year since the first part of my guest post was posted here, and you might be wondering why it has taken me so long to write the second one. I will mention the reason later below, but…
Read MoreSidra Mobin: Learning Opportunity
Sidra Mobin is originally from Karachi, Pakistan. She landed in British Columbia on June 28th, 2020- during the pandemic. Sidra was all alone and did not know anyone in BC as opposed to back in Pakistan, where she has family and friends who were always there for her. With her positive attitude, Sidra wanted to…
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