“If he feel like thinking about negatively he will take a long time, but if he feel like about positive and he will think like only about something positive it will go like easy for him.”   Originally from Syria, Nassar and his family lived in Lebanon for five...

“People should be looking after each other. They should care.”

Originally from Ghana, Michael came to Canada to study and earned a master’s degree in economics. He and his wife gained permanent residency, and after living in a small town in Saskatchewan for the first few years, his family moved to Central Alberta in 2017 for personal and professional opportunities. Michael currently works as a financial advisor while pursuing accreditation as a Chartered Financial Analyst, and although they have experienced professional success, a circumstance Michael is thankful for, he shares that their social worlds are disappointingly small.

  “Canada has different cultures, different languages, and different weather. [...] These differences are not bad, but newcomers need more support to have an easier settlement. Someone should make a bridge between these different cultures and different...

“Because I can find [food from home] in Red Deer, then it means I’m welcomed.”   Fzeini came to Canada to study, and he earned a Master’s degree in Education Administration. Immediately after graduating, he moved to Red Deer for economic opportunities and social...

“I can just walk [by] there with no fears. Because I always defeat my fears.”   Immigration consists of locating oneself within your new surroundings, and although familiarity is sought, it can sometimes be painful. Such is Fred’s experience; arriving in Red Deer...

“I don’t see anyone bad experience in Canada. Bad people, ya you have some bad people in Canada. Sometimes no. Same thing in Syria, same thing any country. Some people are bad, some good. [...] Not all the fingers same.”   Emir, his wife, and their children came...

Daniel and his young son came to Alberta in 2015 from the Philippines.

“I like working with the people. I like interacting with the communities. I like making a lot of friends. I like helping.”   After Abdi and his father, brother, and sister were displaced from their home in Somalia, they lived in Uganda before coming to Canada in...