Hello everybody! It has been a while since the last time I released an episode. So to be clear from the start, this episode is the last one I’m launching, at least for a while. I launched the first episode in August of 2019. But I started working on it earlier that year, which means that I’ve been technically working on it for three years. It’s not easy to make the decision to put the podcast on hiatus because it’s an essential part of my identity. But at this point in my life, I need to prioritize and let go of things that are not the top priority. We all have been hurt by the covid pandemic, from not being able to go out and meet our friends to losing our loved ones. Unfortunately, I suffered both scenarios and still did my best to push forward. It has been over a year since my father-in-law passed. 2021 was a challenging year, and doing the podcast every week helped me distract from my day-to-day life. Then during the summer, I left a job that saw me grow for six and a half years to join LinkedIn, which, funny enough, it’s the only social media platform I check religiously. We all know that the first six months in a job are stressful; it’s when you’re learning and making mistakes. Unlearning things that worked in the past and learning new ones. But still, I kept the podcast going. Sometimes I didn’t have time after work, so I dedicated my weekends to prepare everything. And then I took a trip to Mexico over the holidays, and that’s when everything hit me. I realized that I’ve been so busy doing so many things in my spare time that I had neglected what matters the most to me, my family. When I came back to Toronto, I wondered what to do with the podcast, and, in the end, I decided to put it on hold. I honestly don’t know when I’ll be restarting it again, and I want to apologize to all the people who gave me time to tell their stories and never saw the light. I’m happy to say that I’m closing this part of my life with over 100 episodes that have been downloaded over 50,000 times in 132 countries. When I started this project, my goal was to reach at least 30 people per month. In the last few months, when I released new content, the average was over 3,000 downloads, a hundred times more than what I expected. I’m saving the best for the end. I always say that I’m just the guy who says hello and asks questions, and I believe that. The stories come from all my guests, all the people who took the time to talk to me and share a vital part of their lives. This project is for you. You are the ones who made this happen. So thank you! I’m not sure if or when I’ll come back, but in the meantime, you can always listen to other excellent podcasts that showcase stories about immigrants. You have the New to Canada podcast with my friend Kate and also The Immigrant View with Ayo. Each one has a different approach to telling the stories, but both of them do it from the heart. I have nothing else to say but goodbye and thank you for listening. I’m Oscar Cecena, and this was the last episode of Immigrants of Toronto. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you're an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I'm Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto.

This episode was originally broadcast on September 14, 2021. Pragya Diwan moved to Canada from India to pursue her career. As she says, things were just too good, so she looked for a change. In this episode, she talks about her journey as an immigrant in the media field. And how her decisions helped her to host a radio show and, later, create her own initiative called The Student Ally. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch shortly after receiving your submission. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Pragya Diwan Pragya Diwan My name is Pragya Diwan.  I’m a journalist from India with a penchant for telling stories. My quest with journalism allowed me to work in different roles like a TV presenter, content creator, radio host and video producer.  After working for five years in the mainstream media, juggling between deadlines, covering breaking news and searching stories, I decided to take a break. I thought I needed to brush up on my writing skills, and I made an impromptu decision of travelling to Canada for a writing course. In just three months, I was in Canada as an international student, which changed my life. Just after being in Toronto for three months, I got my first job as a radio host in CIRV 88.9 FM in Brampton, where I hosted Bollywood music morning shows from Monday to Friday. Apart from the radio announcing, I do some freelance stuff like voiceovers, social media management, video creation, shoot and edit etc. I also run my own brand called The Student Ally, through which I help international students who come to Canada.  Get in touch with Pragya LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pragya-diwan-1898045b/Instagram: @diwanpragyaFacebook: facebook.com/pragya.diwan.9

This episode was originally broadcast on August 10, 2021. Karla Medina moved to Canada from Venezuela worried about her life. She didn't know when she arrived that she had a case to apply as a refugee. She talks about resources that people in her situation should know and use. And also how, after everything she went through, she was able to get a job that she loves. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch shortly after receiving your submission. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Karla Medina Karla Medina I am a Venezuelan journalist that immigrated to Canada 8 years ago when people from the Venezuelan government threatened my life. Being a crime news reporter in Venezuela is probably one of the most dangerous jobs. In Canada, I had two beautiful daughters. They are now four and five years old, went back to school, graduated with a high GPA, and changed the path of my life from chaos to success. Get in touch with Karla LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karlamedina07/Instagram: @karla_mdinaFacebook: facebook.com/Karlitabella07 Other resources mentioned Woodgreen Community Services: woodgreen.org

This episode was originally broadcast on May 18, 2021. In this episode, I chat with Gunjan and Farhan Kafil. Originally from India, they met in Dubai and decided to move to Canada. But before establishing in Toronto, they took a fantastic road trip across the country. Today, they share with us their journey of immigration. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and you want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch shortly after receiving your submission. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Gunjan and Farhan Kafil Gunjan & Farhan Kafil Gunjan and Farhan are curious explorers, outdoors enthusiasts and spirited overlanders. She is a communications pro and he is a contracts manager. Gunjan grew up in Mumbai and spent summer holidays in a small Himalayan town where hikes with cousins cultivated a love for the mountains. Since then, she has climbed two of the “Seven Summits” and mountains in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Farhan is a small-town boy excited by this extraordinary world. He likes to tinker with ideas, plan the next adventure or simply, lace up and run. He is a marathoner, hiker and co-founder of an off-road adventure club. They met on a road trip in Dubai and, the rest is history – or rather, geography. Together, they climbed mountains, descended into the Grand Canyon, walked on icefields and to the rims of active volcanoes, slept by glaciers and witnessed the aurora borealis. Several adventures later, they moved to Canada in 2019. As new Canadians, they spent five months RVing in the great outdoors of North America – a journey of 22,000 kms from Toronto to Tuktoyatuk in NWT, Alaska and mainland USA. Together, they explored the country, its culture and communities to learn first-hand what it means to be a Canadian. Get in touch with Gunjan & Farhan Traveling Website: wonderlost.meInstagram: @wonderlost.meFacebook: facebook.com/wonderlost.me/ Gunjan Kafil Website: gunjankafil.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gunjankafil/Instagram: @gunjankafil Farhan Kafil LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/farhankafil/

This episode was originally broadcast on September 21, 2021. Mariela Gutierrez was born in Mexico but moved to the USA at a very young age. Later in her life, she decided to move to Toronto. She talks about the struggles of the immigrant journey as she saw it from her parents, moving to the United States from Mexico. The challenge of starting a new life in a different country to provide a better life for her family. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Mariela Gutierrez Mariela Gutierrez Mariela Gutierrez was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and moved to the US with her parents in 1990. She arrived in the US undocumented; she and her family settled in Los Angeles. Mariela attended LA public schools and went on to earn Bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Chicanx Latinx Studies from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She also obtained a Master’s degree in Social and Cultural Analysis of Education at CSULB and worked in Student Affairs for five years. In 2020, after living in the US for three decades without any permanent legal status, she immigrated to Canada and now lives in Toronto. She recently completed her first year of law school at York University's Osgoode Hall. She is active on Instagram sharing her journey in Canada and law school. Get in touch with Mariela LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gutierrezmariela/Instagram: @dacamerican

This episode was originally broadcast on July 20, 2021. Dean Lobo moved from India to Toronto in 2018. He took a bridging program that helped him adapt and find a job in his field. He talks about the microaggressions that sometimes we, as immigrants, face and how was able to get a job at a non-profit that helps minorities. Listen to episode 59 as well if you want to hear more about microaggressions. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch shortly after receiving your submission. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Dean Lobo Dean Lobo Dean Lobo (he/him) is an experienced Communications and Public Relations professional based in Toronto, Canada. Prior to immigrating to Canada in 2018, he worked across various media including radio, television, and print and digital news in India, his country of origin. Dean currently works as a Communications Specialist at The 519, Canada's most prominent LGBTQ2S community organization and service provider. He is passionate about elevating the voices of minority and marginalized communities through his work, something he gets to do extensively through advocacy and fundraising communications in his current role. Dean is also an accomplished pianist and a self-taught watercolour artist. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring Canada's many nature trails and small towns, driving through the countryside, urban sketching, creating music covers and cooking. Get in touch with Dean Website: deanlobo2.wixsite.com/portfolioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/deanlobo/Facebook: facebook.com/deanpianistInstagram: @deanpianist

This episode was originally broadcast on May 5, 2021. In this episode, I chat with Melanie Anthony. She's my first guest from Mauritius, and she shares her journey of immigration. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and you want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch shortly after receiving your submission. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Melanie Anthony Melanie Anthony A Mauritian, an African with multicultural heritage and Torontonian since 2016, Melanie Anthony is a versatile Bilingual with expertise in Content Development, Journalism, Marketing, Corporate and Digital Communications, Storytelling with a particular interest in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the fight against Systemic Racism, Policy Making, Accessibility Sustainability and Technology. Her objective is to enhance communications and contribute to a bigger impact. Melanie has over 15 years of experience working as communications professional in different industries and fields such as Government agencies, Non for Profit organizations, Public Policy, Media, Gaming and Entertainment, Innovation, Creative and Cultural Industries, Food and Beverages, Tourism, Audit and Information Technology as well as Finance. A Chevening Scholar holds a Master of Arts in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship from Goldsmiths University, London, UK, and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Mauritius. A dedicated solutions-oriented individual, Melanie has a knack for networking and strong entrepreneurship acumen. She founded Best Relations Network Ltd ( now closed), a networking agency aimed at connecting professionals and businesses that managed projects related to strategic planning, business networking, corporate communications, marketing, and events management. Since immigrating to Canada and acknowledging that she is a settler, Melanie has made it her priority to learn about Indigenous peoples, including diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, and Indigenous culture treaties. She also educates herself about the history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Black Heritage in Canada. She is an earnest champion in combating ingrained systemic racism and is a fervent advocate of accessibility for all. She aims to bring the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens to the forefront of conversations.  Get in touch with Melanie LinkedIn

This episode was originally broadcast on June 8, 2021. Laura Stürmer, my guest from Episode 24, joins me one year later. Her life has changed quite a bit since the first episode we did together. First, we talk about how she switched jobs when the lockdown started, then how she bought a home, and finally about mental health. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and you want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch shortly after receiving your submission. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Laura Stürmer Laura Stürmer Laura Stürmer is a Marketing Professional with over seven years of experience in branding, product and channel management. She has spent most of her career internationally working for retail companies and manufacturing organizations in Brazil and Canada. She currently works at Canadian Tire as an Associate Brand Manager. On the side, Laura currently volunteers in different institutions offering mentorship focused on helping newcomers and refugees that are transitioning over to the Canadian Labour Market. Listen to Laura's immigration story: Episode 24: Giving Back by Helping Newcomers Get in touch with Laura LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurasturmer/

This episode was originally broadcast on June 22, 2021. Today I'll be talking about how we, as immigrants, measure success, as well as sharing a few tips to avoid comparing our life with people who didn't move to a new country. Three tips on how to avoid comparing your success with others Be careful with social media. We all share the good things that happen to us there, but we rarely share the bad ones. So, don't compare your real life with a social media profile.Understand that getting a job as an immigrant is more challenging than someone who has lived in a country since they were born. For example, your friends back home have a network that they have forged for decades. You just started one.And the third one. Keep the reason why you moved in mind. Print it and put it on your refrigerator, so you're constantly reminded why you decided to take the hard way and moved to a new country. Listen to the episode for all the details. Subscribe & Follow! Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts! And, if you haven’t done so already, follow Immigrants of Toronto on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me on social media, I reply to every message I receive. If this podcast has helped you in any way, I really want to hear about it! You can go to the website and click on Send Voicemail and leave a sweet message that I will most certainly feature on an episode. Honestly, every time I hear that what I’m doing is helping, it makes all the effort worthy. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form to schedule your interview. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto.

This episode was originally broadcast on October 19, 2021. Ryan Hollinrake joins me today to talk about how Access Community Capital Fund helps newcomers with no credit history in Canada fund and succeed as entrepreneurs. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Ryan Hollinrake Ryan Hollinrake Ryan has worked as a leader in the non-profit sector for over 15 years. With his deep background in finance and marketing, he has successfully led, revived & grown four non-profits. Proud to have acquired over 25 global marketing awards from creating and driving campaigns, Ryan’s breadth of experience while working for organizations such as Access CCF, Canadian Safe Schools, Oxfam, and Good Foot Support Services has allowed him to hone in on social advocacy in order to bring about change and align strategic partnerships that last and truly make a difference. Get in touch with Ryan and Access Community Capital Fund Website: accessccf.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/access-community-capital-fund/Instagram: @accessccfFacebook: facebook.com/accessccfTwitter: @accessCCFYouTube: youtube.com/user/accessCCFRyan's email: ryan@accessccf.com

This episode was originally broadcast on June 29, 2021. Meera Bala moved from Sri Lanka to Canada in 1988 due to the civil war when she was only a child. When Meera and her family arrived, they didn't speak English, and there were very few South Asian immigrants where she lived. It was a challenge for her as she faced discrimination and bullying at school. Experiencing that discrimination as a young child just because she was different had made her a better teacher. She has zero tolerance in her classroom, and she has just released a book for children called Palm Trees Under Snow. The book reflects a bit of her own story, and her goal is to empower young children, especially children of immigrants, so they know that they can achieve great things with hard work and determination. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and you want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch shortly after receiving your submission. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Meera Bala Meera Bala Meera Bala is a Tamil-Canadian author and publisher of children’s books. She immigrated to Canada from Sri Lanka with her family in the 80s. Her love for reading and writing began very early. As a child, she enjoyed writing stories and letters for her family and friends. She graduated from York University’s Concurrent Education program with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English. Meera Bala is an educator with the Toronto District School Board for the past 19 years. She has taught junior, intermediate and special education classes. She has always been a huge advocate of social justice, multicultural and equity issues and served as the equity representative for many years at her school. Meera was an aspiring author for many years, and finally, during the pandemic, she made her dreams into a reality. In March 2021, she wrote her first book, Palm Trees Under Snow, and started her publishing company, MB Publishing. Outside of writing children’s books, she enjoys spending time with her parents, husband, and two wonderful sons. She has a close support group of siblings, friends and co-workers that she’s extremely grateful for. Get in touch with Meera Website: www.wordsbymeera.comInstagram: @wordsby.meeraFacebook: facebook.com/wordsbymeera

Hello and welcome to the immigrants of Toronto podcast. Today I’m launching episode one hundred and what better way to do it than by announcing the top 10 episodes of 2021. For the next few weeks, I’ll be rebroadcasting the 10 episodes that had the most downloads over the year. Some of them were obvious winners, some others were happy surprises. But, whatever the case was, the list is final and it goes like this: Number 10: Experiencing discrimination as a child: Meera Bala (Sri Lanka) Meera was my first guest from Sri Lanka and on that episode, she talked about her childhood in Canada and how she experienced and overcame discrimination. Number 9 Helping newcomers start their businesses: Ryan Hollinrake (Canada) Ryan is not an immigrant but in this episode, he talked about how Access Community Capital Fund can help immigrants with no credit history to start their businesses. Number 8 How do you measure success as an immigrant? This was one of the happy surprises. This episode is just me talking about how we can measure success as an immigrant. It’s a short one that came to me as I thought about my own successes and failures. Number 7 One year later: Laura Sturmer (Brazil) The first interview I did with Laura was the most downloaded episode of 2020. So, of course, her second participation in the podcast had to be in the top 10! Number 6 From a small island: Melanie Anthony (Mauritius) Melanie is my first and only guest from Mauritius. She’s an amazing person who arrived here in 2016 and has a very interesting story. Number 5 Helping minorities: Dean Lobo (India) Dean is another amazing human being that not only has a great story but also has dedicated his professional life in Canada to help minorities. Number 4 The struggle of immigration: Mariela Gutierrez (Mexico & USA) My wife found Mariela on Instagram and the first thing she said to me was: you need to interview her. And so I did. Mariela’s immigration perspective is quite unique. Born in Mexico and raised in the US, moving to Canada was a new experience for her. Number 3 Getting to know Canada: Gunjan & Farhan Kafil (India/Dubai) Time to confess that because of technical difficulties, we had to record this episode twice. The good thing is that I think the second and final take went way better than the first one! One thing I loved about Gunjan and Farhan is that they took the time to travel Canada before settling in Toronto. Honestly, I wish I someday do the same trip. Number 2 Escaping your country: Karla Medina (Venezuela) Karla’s story is different than most of the ones I share. Most of my guests decided to move to Canada to have a better life, in the case of Karla it was to preserve hers. Fearing that the worst could happen, she decided to leave Venezuela and try her luck here. Number 1 Things were getting too good: Pragya Diwan (India) Pragya’s journey started because she wanted a challenge. Most people stay where they are if things are good. But Pragya is different, she took a long flight, move to the other side of the world, and started her next challenge. As I said, these episodes will be rebroadcasted in the next few weeks while I’m taking a well-deserved break. The next new episode will be launched by the end of January. Until now, please enjoy not only the rebroadcasts but also listen to any episode that you didn’t listen to this year. I can tell you that every story is worth listening to. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you're an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I'm Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto.

Today is December 18, 2021, and do you know what we are celebrating? Today is International Migrants Day! We hear many things about migrants, and today I want to share what it means to be an immigrant for me and some of my guests. What does it mean to be an immigrant? In my experience, being an immigrant means taking risks knowing that you cannot fail. It's taking a leap of faith aiming to land on your feet. I look back at myself setting foot in Canada eight years ago, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for that person. Honestly, I don't know if the 43-year-old Oscar would do the things that the 35-year-old one did. Sometimes it's hard to believe that we packed our lives into two suitcases and got rid of everything that didn't fit in there. Just to take a flight and arrive at a country where people didn't speak our language and thought Cinco de Mayo was our independence day. But what I find harder to believe is that we did it all by ourselves, we didn't have family or friends in Canada, we didn't have a job or even interviews lined up, and no one was there to greet us when we stepped out from Pearson airport. I want to say that the first few months were difficult, but I would be lying. The first "few years" sounds a bit more accurate. But even though they were challenging, I remember those times fondly. It is true when people say that "tough times don't define you, they refine you." I cannot think of a time in my life when I had grown more as a person than in my first years in Canada. I learned to value the things that matter and discard those that didn't. I understood that humility and compassion go a long way. And I realized that asking for help didn't mean I was helpless; it was just that I needed a hand to get back on my feet. Very few moments in my life are as significant as those starting years, and I cherish them like nothing else. It's funny that sometimes I experience something that takes me back in time, and I'm going to share three of them with you: The first one is the sound of an approaching streetcar. It may be because back in Mexico we didn't have them, so the sound was new to me, or, most likely, it's because riding the TTC back then was so expensive that I rather walk for an hour during the winter than spend three dollars on public transit. The second thing that brings me back to that time is walking around Dundas Square. We used to go out and walk around that area on a weekend night. If it was cold, we may buy a coffee at Tim Horton's or Mcdonald's, not because we particularly liked their premium arabica beans, but because it was the only treat we could afford without spending part of the rent's money. And the last one is the intro music from the TV show: The Office. If we didn't go out for a walk to Dundas Square, we used to stay home and watch that show while eating a frozen pizza topped with onions. I swear that pizza tasted better than any pizza I ever had. I know that's not true, and there's a reason I don't have them anymore, but it was the equivalent of fine dining at the time. Harsh times make you evolve. I'm no longer that 35-year old that set foot in Canada hoping for the best and also expecting, naively, the best to happen. I may be one of the few that never got homesick. Never missed Mexican food or wanted to go back to my home country. I'm not saying I didn't miss my family and friends. I'm just saying that it didn't matter how much I missed them, I had decided Toronto was my home, and even if things weren't going as planned, I'd do anything in my power to continue this journey. It is funny how perspective changes after living here for eight years. I don't feel like a newcomer anymore, but I will always feel like an immigrant. I took that leap of faith, armed only with my knowledge, aptitude, and personality, and, after falling down many times, I was able to finally land on my feet. Looking back,

Mifrah Abid moved to Canada from India a few years ago. She always believed in social justice. When the pandemic hit, she faced a challenge in her career as a teacher, so she pivoted and started a podcast called Across Her Table, where she interviews immigrant women. Due to her podcast, she gained the experience she needed to apply for a job as an anti-racism/ anti-islamophobia advocate. Now, she doesn't see herself doing anything differently. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you're an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I'm Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Mifrah Abid Mifrah Abid Mifrah Abid is a podcaster and an Anti-racism/ Anti-Islamophobia advocate. Her podcast, Across Her Table, highlights the stories of remarkable Canadian women with immigrant roots. She loves a good laugh, has a thing for funny memes and is passionate about telling under-represented stories in the mainstream. She works with the Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener-Waterloo (CMW), and through her role, she helps support victims of hate and racism and provides Anti-Islamophobia trainings. She had been a lecturer of English in India before she migrated to Canada in late 2017. She is now a certified ESL trainer. She is also a huge proponent of social justice, and you will often see her discuss those issues on her social media and published writings. Get in touch with Mifrah LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mifrah-abid-26463b5b/Instagram: @acrosshertableTwitter: @acrosshertableFacebook: facebook.com/acrosshertableWebsite: www.acrosshertable.com

Monica Rojano moved to Canada in 2013 with her family. After looking at other options, like Australia, she decided to move to Canada because she wanted her children to experience this country’s diversity. In this episode, Monica shares his experience and talks about the importance of self-advocacy. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Monica Rojano Monica Rojano Monica moved to Canada In 2013; she moved with her husband and three children. Professionally she has more than 15 years of commercial experience in multiple industries. She loves travelling, movies and biking with her family. Get in touch with Monica LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/monica-rojano-mba-9686018Facebook: facebook.com/monica.rojano.775

Alan Middleton has been mentoring immigrants for quite some time. As an immigrant from England to Canada, he identifies with the struggles that newcomers face. In this episode, Alan shares his experience as a mentor as well as some valuable advice for new Canadians. Note: Due to issues with my microphone when recording, the audio on this episode is below the standard quality. I apologize for it; I hope you enjoy the episode. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Alan Middleton Alan Middleton Alan C. Middleton is a long-time professor at the Schulich School of Business, York University, independent consultant, author and speaker on marketing and mentorship. He was inducted into Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends in 2004 in the mentorship category and has been a long-time mentor and advisory committee member at the Mentor Exchange, operated by AMA Toronto. Recently, he released his latest book, Mentorship Matters: Now More Than Ever! that delivers a timely look at mentorship programs in the post-pandemic workplace. Middleton has experience empowering new Canadians by helping them understand local business culture, identifying employment opportunities, and enhancing their networking and interview skills. Get in touch with Alan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alan-c-middleton-phd-8a253a9/Read Alan's book: Mentorship Matters: Now More Than Ever!

Maria Martinez is my first guest from Peru. I’m very excited to have her as a guest. She moved from Peru in 2017with her husband and her two children. She came as a student at Humber and, to force herself to practice her English, joined a Toastmasters club. Even with all her professional experience, she found it challenging to get the job she wanted. However, she joined a bridging program at Rottman and was able to get that job in just a couple of months after starting. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Maria Martinez Maria Martinez Maria moved from Peru to Toronto in February 2017 with her husband Julio and two kids: Val, 15 and Maria Julia, 12. She received some great pieces of advice and some terrible ones before coming here and wants to share what worked for her and her family. Get in touch with Maria LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariavmg/Instagram: @mariavalvaneramgTwitter: @MariaValvaMG

Jessica Beck, host of the IELTS Energy podcast, joins me today to talk about the importance of preparing for the English proficiency test. She works at All Ears English Education, and today she shares excellent advice on how to improve your English by engaging in authentic conversations. Jessica featured me in her podcast as well; you can listen to it here: https://www.allearsenglish.com/ielts-energy-1079-life-after-ielts-oscars-3-tips-to-thrive-in-canada/ The best advice she gave is: Be your authentic self in English. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Jessica Beck Jessica Beck I have been in the ESL world for nearly two decades. In that time, I have written 16 ESL textbooks, implemented Taiwan’s first TESOL teacher-training program, and taught in three countries. For 14 years, I was also an IELTS Examiner. Currently, I am Director of IELTS Training for All Ears English. In this role, I host a top-ranked test prep podcast, IELTS Energy TV, and co-host the All Ears English podcast, downloaded over 200 million times since its launch. Additionally, I have designed and project-managed the creation process for all three of our successful online courses. From time to time, I act as a curriculum consultant for various ESL organizations. Get in touch with Jessica Website: allearsenglish.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessica-beck-aee/Instagram: @all_ears_english

Today is Remembrance Day. And to commemorate the occasion, I'm joined by Rodrigo Königs. He's a good friend of mine and also a WWI enthusiast. We recorded this episode at Prospect Cemetery while visiting the tombstones of four immigrant soldiers who fought for Canada during the Great War. This episode aims to honour the memory of the soldiers who, even though they weren't born in this country, decided to go to war for it. Here are the four soldiers that we mention in this episode: Captain Walter L. RayfieldPrivate Wesley CoweckPrivate Curley ChristianSergeant Major Colin F. Barron Captain Walter L. Rayfield Private Wesley Coweck Private Curley Christian Sergeant Major Colin F. Barron Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Rodrigo Königs Rodrigo Königs After 18 years living in Canada, Rodrigo has lived in four different Canadian cities (Ottawa, Victoria, Edmonton, and Toronto), and has developed a career in the social services and nonprofit sectors. He is married and has two children. He manages an online page about World War I called “Century Flow: Stories of the Great War” and he founded a community for Mexican professionals in Ontario that now has over 2,000 members. Get in touch with Rodrigo LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rodrigo-konigs-ma-cmp-a23a6324/Twitter @RKonigsInstagram: @rodrigo.konigsCentury Flow: Stories from the Great WarFacebook community for Mexican professionals

Vadim Lidich joins the podcast today to talk about his experience of moving to Canada at a very young age by himself. His family saved enough money to send him here to give him better opportunities. Subscribe to the Podcast If you enjoyed listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. And make sure to follow the show on Instagram and LinkedIn. Lastly, if you’re an immigrant and want to share your story on the show, go to immigrantsoftoronto.com/join and fill out the form. Thanks for listening, I’m Oscar Cecena, and this is Immigrants of Toronto. Learn more about Vadim Lidich Vadim Lidich Startup founder & product architect with experience in LegalTech, PropTech, Fintech, VC Tech, and eSports. Passionate about SMB SaaS and about building solutions for the underserved segments in the market. Co-founder & CTO @ Paperstack, where we help millions of e-commerce sellers across North America with bookkeeping, categorize all their expenses, and provide actionable insights to help them grow their online store. Mentor & startup advisor at Gener8tor, Founder Institute (Ukraine), The Forge (McMaster U), Ingenuity (Lakehead U), and through communities like TeaClub and MapleMaker. Podcast host. Get in touch with Vadim LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vadimlidichInstagram: @vadimlidichWebsite: paperstack.us