Alaa Alsafadi: Small Steps To Success In Canada

My journey with SOPA* started in August 2019, that time I received a letter from IRCC that I am authorized to utilize the pre-arrival services. I communicated with Saskatchewan newcomer center online and they connected me with the SOPA program where I started my learning preparation. Below are the steps I followed in my journey…

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Beat the odds: Cruising through COVID-19 in Calgary (Part 1)

While the entire world was (is) panicking about COVID-19, we were preparing for our travel to Canada. A lengthy travel, with overnight stays at empty airports and multiple transits. Yet our hearts were full of hope and positivity. Till this day, I believe that our journey was a miracle, orchestrated by the almighty. In spite…

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Q&A with Ibrahim Bolaji

Ibrahim Bolaji emigrated from Nigeria to Canada on September 11th, 2019 and got his first job only a month later. He got an exciting job as a Member Service Associate with the Cambrian Credit Union through the Manitoba Start: Credit Union Training & Work Experience program. Ibrahim tells us about his journey to his first…

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Nigar’s New Home

I am an administrative professional with over 15 years of experience. I worked for a private engineering company in the oil and gas industry. I moved with my son to Nova Scotia in August 2018 from Baku, Azerbaijan. I am a single mother and didn’t have friends or family in Canada; I didn’t know anyone,…

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An Evening of Fun and Inspiration at the SOPA Alberta Social Café

The SOPA Alberta team was excited to host past SOPA clients living in Alberta for a lively evening of fun, networking and inspiration at the SOPA Social Café last July. The event took place at the main office of the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) and provided our program participants with an opportunity to meet…

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Keshav Kumar – from India to bustling Toronto

My name is Keshav Kumar and I flew from India to the bustling city of Toronto in the latter part of January 2018 (apparently the coldest month of the year) to become a permanent resident of Canada. When I first got off at Toronto Pearson International Airport, I was both excited and nervous. I was…

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New Year’s Eve in Canada

New Year’s Eve is here! There are many traditions all around the world for the holiday. Here is some information about New Year’s Eve in Canada. Canada, like many other countries, loves to celebrate the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, just as the clock strikes midnight, people burst into applause at the passing of…

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