It's hard, but it's not impossible

When you decide to move abroad, looking for better opportunities, you are off to a rough start. The trick is remaining realistic and determined.

The current generation of Latino immigrants to Canada has different characteristics than previous waves. Most of us are professionals and speak the language. Having a bachelor’s degree leads us to have different priorities. We are not here to settle for less and we are not looking to simply survive. We are coming to countries like Canada because we want a better quality of life, we want a chance to realize our potential.

Our expectations are different and sometimes unrealistic. Among some, there is an aspiration to keep certain lifestyle. We've been accustomed to going out and sharing quality time with friends. We enjoyed long holidays and lots of spare time. Most importantly, we are used to having the constant support of our family. All of this changes when you move to a different country.

The reality is that, unless a company recruits you, when you get here you are Mr. or Mss. Nobody. No one knows you and your fancy degree is pretty much worthless, unless you prove what you can do. This means you have to start from scratch, be open and flexible cause chances are you will end up doing things you never imagined doing in your home country.

Your first two or three years in a new country, like Canada, will test your ability to adapt. You need to work hard to make your way into the culture and the society. There won’t be long holidays to share with your family, and there won’t be much spare time to hang out with your friends.

My advice is to be realistic, keep your feet on the ground because it is all worth it. No matter what you are doing or how difficult things are, don’t lose sight of your goals. It’s hard to leave your family and friends behind, to start from zero, to prove yourself and others that you can do it... but it’s not impossible! It just takes hard work.