COMMON BARRIERS FACED BY NEWCOMERS

Prosperity has been the major reason for newcomers immigrating to Canada for decades, but not success does not come to all equal. Yes, immigration has been a dream for many individuals and families and still is globally. People come to Canada for a variety of reasons but the difficulties and hard realities are not known until you actually experience it. With this in mind, here are some common challenges or hurdles faced by many newcomers who come to Canada:

1. Employment Issues – Finding a job in Canada is a challenge for many newcomers, primarily because they lack Canadian Work Experience. There may be several factors with getting a suitable job, which may often mean working odd jobs for survival. Common reasons identified for this barrier is recognizing new immigrant’s skills and credentials from their home country. However, as a newcomer, you may have to work below your qualifications and professional experiences but this is likely to change overtime when you gain local work experience and references.

2. Cultural Adaptation – Canada is a new country for many; and apart from the common language, you may find differences in customs, social norms, and the overall lifestyle. Although this may be a significant barrier, but you can keep your values and adapt to the Canadian culture.

3. Language Barriers – There are two official languages in Canada: English and French. Although taking a language proficiency test is often required to immigrate to Canada, many newcomers still face the challenge of communicating or learning because it takes time. Government-funded programs such as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is available at no cost to assist and support permanent residents and refugees (protected individuals).

4. Credential Recognition – For many qualified newcomers, a major hurdle is getting their foreign credentials evaluated by the government authorized and accepted regulatory bodies and professional associations for education or employment. The purpose is not just recognizing the credential but also to align with the Canadian Standard for your occupation or trade. There are several government-approved regulatory bodies and professional associations that verify and assess your foreign qualifications, and depending on the results, they provide equivalency.

5. Finding Affordable Housing – As a newcomer, it is often challenging to find suitable housing on rent because of lack of funds and resources. Furthermore, the rent prices in Canada is high and landlords or property management companies may require a credit check and/or landlord references. You also need to provide one-month or security deposit that is equivalent to the monthly rent, which can be quite expensive. The local immigrant and settlement agency or a reliable contact of reference may be able to help overcome this struggle.

6. Weather – Canada is a cold country as it is situated in the north, and the weather can be as diverse as it’s landscape and people. Initially, many newcomers are faced with the challenge of adjusting to the extreme weather conditions, but this is as much a learning as it is a survival. Newcomers can learn to adapt to the weather and make adjustments as needed with proper information and survival tips, and building on their own experience as they become localized.

7. Isolation / Loneliness – Being away from home and closed ones is difficult, which can lead to feeling depressed and detached. As humans, we are social and need to invest in building relationships. Canada as we all know is known for it’s diversity and multi-culturalism, which is great for newcomers as it can help them deal with the challenges of isolation and loneliness. With time and adjustment, you can not only feel welcomed, easily adapt to the new environment.

Immigration to Canada is a dream for many and requires certain adjustments for better life and opportunities to prosper. There are several government-funded settlement and employment programs to help newcomers, which if explored and accessed can minimize a lot of the challenges that new immigrants face when moving to Canada. The process of change and transition takes time, but eventually you conquer and get ahead. Welcome home!

Tags:  Moving to Canada, Living in Canada, Survival in Canada, Challenges for Newcomers.