Yana came to Newfoundland and Labrador from Ukraine, in search of a place that was both peaceful and full of opportunity. A trained dancer, she found a great job as a Childcare Coordinator, teaching children after school and helping manage the business. Yana was nervous about coming to Newfoundland and Labrador at first, but felt at home right away. She loves that the city is so close to nature and the ocean, and is living her best life here with her husband and friends.

Joe grew up in Malaysia, but moved to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2009 to study at Memorial University. The climate was an adjustment, but the warm nature of the people here made the transition surprisingly smooth. Joe had a great business idea during his last year of study, and with the help of two local investors who believed in him, his idea became a reality. Joe’s business, HeyOrca, is a communication tool that helps other businesses effectively manage social media content. The best part — Joe gets to live right here in beautiful St. John’s while having a global impact with his work. He says, “I expected to find a peaceful place to study, but I discovered so much more — a vibrant community, strong local support for entrepreneurs, and an environment that truly values work-life balance.” Although Joe moved here on his own, he feels like his friends and colleagues are his extended family. “The support system in this province is incredible, making it easier to feel at home even when you’re far from your roots.”

Esther moved to Newfoundland and Labrador from Nigeria in 2022. The immigration process was pretty smooth, applying to her school of choice and then for a student visa. While here for study, Esther noticed the lack of salon services for the Black community and saw a great business opportunity. She opened her own salon, PalmsBeautyStore, where she offers aesthetic services including make-up, lashes, brows, and the best braiding in St. John’s. Esther’s advice for other newcomers? The people are warm and friendly, but the weather can be cool — bring a jacket!

Kim came to Newfoundland and Labrador in 1981, fleeing war in her home of Vietnam. She had no idea about this new place and spoke no English, but soon found everything she needed. In 1986, she opened Kim Le Tailor Shop — a beloved business in downtown St. John’s serving hundreds of local customers. Kim and her husband Cham are thankful to have landed here — a safe place to raise their children, with free education and healthcare, without the worries of a big city. They love spending time with each other after work, instead of being stuck in traffic. They also enjoy the scenery, fresh air, and even the weather. In fact, Cham has never left Newfoundland and Labrador during the summer in 45 years. He loves it too much to leave.

Muhammad and Afiya arrived here from Pakistan to study computer science, but accomplished much more than they imagined. The couple struggled to find the familiar flavours they grew up with, so they started cooking their own food and selling it at the local farmer’s market. Today, these newcomers are busy working in the local tech industry, raising three young children, and sharing their delicious culture with their new friends and neighbours.

Maryna immigrated from Ukraine and settled in St. John’s, where she works as a Personal Care Attendant at a retirement facility, Westbury Estates. Maryna enjoys working with people, and caring for our elderly loved ones is especially gratifying. She loves how her colleagues support one another. One of those colleagues is her husband, who happily joined her in St. John’s. Together with other skilled newcomers, they are providing an essential service in our community. Learning a new language was a challenge, but it was never an impediment. According to her employer, “caring for others is a universal language.”