The Centre for Newcomer Integration, supported by BMO (CNI), helped Aya adapt to Canadian life by providing English language training, volunteer experience placements, and community support.

“I’m Aya from Syria. But I used to live in Egypt, studying dentistry,” she explained. Aya came to Winnipeg driven by her ambition to further her studies and eventually practice dentistry in Canada.  

Before arriving in Winnipeg, Aya completed several years of education and spent two years working at a university hospital. Her work with medical convoys and in various clinical settings provided a solid foundation in the dental field. 

In Winnipeg, Aya took part in a volunteer placement that exposed her to both clinical and administrative aspects of dentistry. CNI arranged for Aya to volunteer with Children’s Dental Clinic to gain valuable Canadian work experience.  

Reflecting on her experience, she said, “I learned the most in the admin area.” 

While she observed procedures in clinical and orthodontic areas, she found that learning how dental insurance works in Canada broadened her perspective. “It was interesting to see the differences in insurance practices,” she added. 

Aya is also focused on improving her English to meet Canadian language benchmarks. “Hopefully, in less than a year, I’ll reach CLB 7 or 8,” she noted. This language skill is key to transferring her credits and gaining admission to the dentistry program at the University of Manitoba, where discussions with the university admissions have given her hope that her previous education will count towards her certification. 

Now, Aya remains dedicated to completing her studies and adapting to the Canadian healthcare system. “I just want to learn how to deal with things,” she said, showing her eagerness for more hands-on experience.  

Aya’s journey highlights the challenges newcomers face when entering a new field. Her experience offers practical insights for others starting out and shows how dedication and a willingness to learn can pave the way to a successful future in Canada. 

“I came to Winnipeg because my husband has family here, and it felt like the right place for us.” Although she left behind a familiar life in Chile, Carola embraced the challenges of adapting to a new environment with optimism. 

Joining the Centre for Newcomer Integration, supported by BMO (CNI), was a turning point for Carola. “When I started, I was very scared,” she recalled. “But my first group was small, and my classmates were very nice. Now, I think I have more confidence.” Through CNI’s language training and supportive classes, she has gradually overcome her initial fears and learned to communicate more effectively. 

Carola’s journey also includes a volunteer placement with LASIK MD, arranged by CNI. “Coming to LASIK MD was a good experience, if not easy,” she admitted. Working in a real-world setting has helped her practice English daily, even when it’s challenging.  

“Sometimes I don’t understand what people are saying, so I ask my coworkers, ‘Can you repeat?’” she said. Her willingness to ask questions has not gone unnoticed. Chris, who placed her at LASIK MD, noted that her proactive approach is a valuable lesson for other newcomers. 

Adjusting to Canadian cultural differences has been part of Carola’s experience as well. Reflecting on the differences between Chile and Canada, she explained, “In Chile, we are very open and expressive, but here, people can seem a bit more distant.”  

Despite the challenges, she appreciates the friendly nature of those around her. “People are very nice,” she affirmed, recognizing that building new connections takes time. 

Now enrolled in new classes for the upcoming year, Carola remains dedicated to improving her language skills and furthering her career in nursing. “It’s a good experience, and it has really helped me get more confident speaking with different people,” she said.  

Her journey serves as an inspiring example for other newcomers, showing that it’s possible to overcome challenges and build a bright future in Canada with support and perseverance. 

Vitalii chose Winnipeg for two main reasons. “I chose this province because there are a lot of Ukrainians – I think about 15 per cent of the population is Ukrainian – and I like colder weather,” he explained. He recalled that in Ukraine, winters used to bring up to one metre of snow, whereas now there are only two or three weeks of snow each year. These factors helped him feel more at home in Canada. 

In Ukraine, Vitalii worked as a PHP developer and gained nearly five years of experience at a telecommunications company handling ADSL equipment. However, he admitted, “My English is not good enough, so I’m taking classes and doing work placement to use my previous knowledge.” Now, while he works at Powerland, he is determined to build on his technical background and improve his communication skills. 

During his volunteer placement at Powerland, arranged by CNI, Vitalii contributed to front-end development tasks and assisted with managing Excel files. “I was helping with some visual changes on the web store and tweaking customer data between systems,” he said. Dorian, the ecommerce manager at Powerland, added: 

“He helped us with some visual tweaks on our website and managed our customer data exports and imports. It was great to have someone with his technical background, even if it meant jogging his memory on HTML and CSS.” 

Dorian continued, praising Vitalii’s performance, “We’re really appreciative to have had him as part of the program. It was a great experience on both sides, and we’d definitely love to work with him again.” 

Vitalii has also found value in CNI’s supportive learning environment. Although his primary goal is to improve his English, he has come to appreciate the classroom discussions and practical training that help bridge cultural and professional gaps. “The English classes let us discuss different topics, which helps me develop both speaking and writing skills,” he noted. 

While this volunteer placement is his first step in a Canadian office setting, Vitalii hopes to eventually secure a role more closely aligned with his previous experience. His journey reflects the challenges and rewards of adapting to a new work culture while building on existing technical skills. 

Vitalii’s experience highlights the power of practical learning and the supportive environment provided by CNI, offering newcomers a pathway to reconnect with their professional expertise in Canada. 

Mila joined the Work Experience Program (WEP) through the Centre for Newcomer Integration, supported by BMO (CNI). This program is more than just language training; it gives newcomers real work experience in Canada. WEP offers unpaid, part-time volunteer placements that help students learn workplace language and understand Canadian work culture. 

Mila’s musical journey began long before she arrived in Canada. “I am a professional violinist, and I always play in the orchestra,” she told CNI. Her experience in orchestral performance has guided her as she adapts to a new culture while staying true to her passion. Upon settling in Winnipeg, Mila sought opportunities that could blend her musical talents with professional development. 

To improve her English and gain practical experience, Mila accepted a volunteer placement at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) office, arranged by CNI. Reflecting on her new role, she explained, “I inventoried some computers, and I do some marketing things with Photoshop.” This hands-on work allowed her to use her skills in various ways.  

She added, “With the CNI program, I see my progress with speaking and listening skills.” 

Mila’s musical background continues to enhance her volunteer work. A colleague remarked, “Mila is a violinist herself. Helped us with our instruments.” In this role, she not only managed the instrument inventory but also made minor repairs to keep donated instruments in good condition for students. Her efforts show how practical work and artistic passion can support community service. 

Mila’s journey in Winnipeg is still unfolding. Now in her second year of language training, she remains dedicated to improving her communication skills and furthering her professional experience in Canada. Her story is a personal success and an inspiring example of how newcomers can enrich their communities while pursuing their own artistic and professional dreams. 

By sharing experiences like Mila’s, we learn about the challenges and successes that come with adapting to a new environment. CNI celebrates the diverse talents that continue to shape our cultural landscape.

“Hi, my name is Ha, and I’m from Vietnam,” she begins. In Vietnam, Ha owned a coffee shop and worked in marketing. While her husband, an architect from Canada with family ties in Vietnam, visited his relatives back home, they met and built a connection over many years. Eventually, he invited her to join him in Canada, offering her the opportunity to build a new life. 

Despite the challenges of adjusting to a different way of life, Ha embraced the changes. She recalls, “I had to learn a lot, like using computers and understanding the working culture here.” This experience has been essential for her personal and professional growth. 

CNI support has played a key role in Ha’s journey. Through language training and volunteer placements, she has improved her communication skills and gained valuable insights into Canadian society.  

“My teacher is always there to help me,” Ha explains. This supportive environment has enabled her to build confidence and adapt to the many new challenges she encounters. 

Ha’s ultimate goal is to meet the language benchmarks required to become a citizen. With continued support from CNI and her commitment to learning, she is steadily working toward that goal. Her story is a powerful reminder of how determination and community support can help newcomers overcome obstacles and build a promising future in Canada. 

By sharing Ha’s journey, we gain valuable insights into the process of adaptation and the strength it takes to build a new life in a different country. 

Embracing this guidance, Laila adjusted her daily life to facilitate language learning, including changing all her devices’ language settings to English and attending online classes. She began volunteering with public health nurses at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), which offered her valuable insights into Manitoba’s healthcare system and improved her language proficiency. She also took on housekeeping and cooking jobs to support her family and advance her journey, aiding in her permanent residency application.  

In the spring of 2021, Laila enrolled part-time at RRC Polytech’s Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI), progressing through various English language courses. She culminated her studies with the Communication for Health Professionals (CHP) program, which provided her with essential knowledge about Manitoba’s healthcare system, cultural nuances, and effective communication strategies.  

Reflecting on her experience, Laila noted, “Red River College has played an important role in my academic development and professional growth, whether through the healthcare communication programs or the Nursing Re-entry Program (NREP).”  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Laila contributed to public health efforts by administering vaccines to the community as an immunizer for Shared Health. Her hands-on experience during this critical period honed her clinical skills and deepened her understanding of public health initiatives.  

By 2022, Laila achieved the required English proficiency to begin the nursing credential validation process with the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM). She diligently gathered and submitted all necessary documents, a process she found both time-consuming and stressful.  

In 2023, after her credentials were assessed, she was referred to take the Clinical Competence Assessment (CCA). This assessment was pivotal, reinforcing her confidence in her nursing abilities and highlighting areas for adaptation to the Canadian context.  

Following her CCA, she was instructed which courses to take through RRC Polytech’s Nursing Re-entry Program (NREP) in 2024. This program further enhanced her confidence and prepared her for the Canadian healthcare environment. On January 31, 2025, Laila reached a significant milestone by receiving her Registered Nurse (RN) license in Manitoba.  

She delivered a presentation on Feb. 5, 2025, to CNI health students, sharing her journey and offering guidance to those pursuing similar paths. Her story serves as a source of inspiration, demonstrating the impact of resilience and the importance of a supportive community.  

Throughout her journey, Laila faced challenges such as language barriers, a lack of information about the credentialing process, and limited support networks. She immersed herself in English to overcome these obstacles, sought volunteer opportunities, and connected with others in similar situations. She even created a WhatsApp group for Brazilian nurses in Manitoba, fostering a community of support and shared experiences.  

Laila’s story shows us perseverance, resilience, and the significance of community support. She emphasizes that “success is not a coincidence. It is the result of discipline, resilience, and persistence in following a purpose, of course, surrounded by people who support you.” 

“We thought about starting a business as newcomers, and at first, we weren’t sure it was a good idea,” Roman shared. “We didn’t fully understand the culture, the mentality, or even where to begin. But CNI helped us dive deep into Canadian life and business practices. The program was intensive and eye-opening, covering everything from Indigenous perspectives to the importance of mental health—concepts that were entirely new to us.” 

Kate’s research skills were instrumental in finding CNI, and together they decided to commit to the full-time program. “The program helped us so much,” Kate explained. “It wasn’t just about learning English. The program taught us how to prepare for interviews, how to be involved in the Canadian workplace, and how to succeed in this new environment. Now, this information helps us when hiring employees ourselves.” 

The couple highlighted the practical, hands-on nature of the training. Through CNI’s Work-Integrated Learning opportunities, they gained real-world experience in Canadian workplaces. “That was the turning point,” Roman said. “We realized, ‘We can do this.’” 

Today, Roman and Kate’s company, Einktab, specializing in innovative e-ink devices, has surpassed their expectations. They’ve signed a major agreement with Best Buy Canada and are approaching their first million in sales. The journey hasn’t been without challenges, but they credit their success to a combination of hard work, adaptability, and the foundation they built through CNI. 

“What really stood out about Canada is the focus on happiness and quality of life,” Roman reflected. “In other countries, it was always about survival and achievement. Here, people genuinely care about your well-being. It’s a cultural difference that inspired us and shaped our approach to both life and business.” 

Kate added, “The question that always stayed with us was, ‘What makes you happy?’ That’s such a Canadian question. It pushed us to think about enjoying life while pursuing our dreams. CNI gave us the tools we needed to not only understand Canadian culture but also contribute to it. We’re grateful for the guidance and support we received. It’s been a transformative experience.” 

Their story is a testament to the impact of programs like those offered at CNI, which empower newcomers to overcome barriers, integrate into Canadian society, and achieve their goals. Roman and Kate’s success is not just their own—it’s a shining example of what’s possible when communities invest in newcomers. 

As they continue to grow Einktab, Roman and Kate remain passionate about giving back. They’re exploring ways to mentor other newcomers and share the lessons they’ve learned. “We’ve received so much support,” Roman said. “Now it’s our turn to help others succeed.”