“One kind word can change an entire day.”

This came to mind as I was reading Isabella’s appreciation letters for our instructors Nastashya Wall and Karen Loeb. In this case, it involved many impeccable words conveying heartfelt gratitude that could change anyone’s year! Her letters are the kind you frame so that you can read them again whenever you feel down. Allow me to share a few excerpts with you (some parts edited for brevity):

“I can’t imagine what my life would have been if I had never accessed LINC Home Study… Once I participated in the program and was able to learn English courses at home, it was just like seeing the rainbow after the rainstorm…

“My excellent instructor, Karen Loeb, helps me to overcome all of the challenges by setting up one 30-minute face-to-face meeting with me per week through Skype. She is resourceful, sophisticated, professional, and has great patience with me.

“During the meeting, she assigns and corrects my homework, and she always finds practical and essential sources for me to study… I am thirsty for this knowledge. Every week I prepare my presentation and look forward to meeting her and enjoying her class. I appreciate that she instructed and helped me to practice job interviews, and I have built my confidence in any kind of interview.

“I am so thankful to have Karen as my instructor. I cherish her guidance, encouragement and patience. LINC Home Study E-learning is lighting and empowering my life.”

Here’s more ….

“Nastashya’s reading and writing classes are systematic and well-structured. She is clear and concise as an instructor with great patience during the class. I can obviously see my improvement because of her teaching style.

“Nastashya corrects my homework and sends me a feedback video during which gives her advice and comments: these videos are incredibly engaging. I feel my instructor is sitting by my side whenever I watch the video, and that my homework is getting excellent attention and evaluation. Throughout the video, her constructive feedback greatly encourage me and have inspired me to do more writing without hesitation.

“I am also enjoying reading in English much more which I think that is one of my barriers in life. As we know, online learning’s biggest weakness is the lack of interaction; nevertheless, Nastashya works effectively to overcome this issue seamlessly.”

Can you believe this came from someone who started learning English just last year?

Well, you’ll have to know Isabella. She is the kind of student who focuses on a task not just to finish it, but to create something she and others can be proud of.

Online learning is a life saver

Isabella visited Canada from China in 2015. She first settled in Montreal and then later in Vancouver. In those days, she was able to communicate with the help of a friend (who was studying at McGill University) who translated for her. Then in 2021, Isabella moved to Manitoba to be with her husband. The couple live in a farm in picturesque Beausejour, Manitoba, an hour’s drive away from Winnipeg.

Just like other newcomers, learning the language and Canadian culture were Isabella’s priorities upon moving. “There are many things that are culturally different between China and Canada. For example, in China, when speaking to superiors in the workplace, you have to use a person’s titles. Otherwise you’ll be in trouble or they might tell you to get out (laughs). In Canada, you can call everyone by their first name. Workplaces are more casual here,” she said.

Eager to learn right away, Isabella studied her immigration package thoroughly and assessed the recommended services prior to moving to Manitoba. She chose English Online from that package and immediately took a language test at an assessment centre.

Isabella started learning with English Online in May, 2022. Since then she has been an enthusiastic learner, attending Coffee Chats, the Reading Club, and Writing Workshops where she learns with a group facilitated by an instructor. She also enrolled in LINC Home Study where she receives one-on-one instruction from an ESL teacher. She says combining both methods of learning has been effective for her. “I think online learning is great, sometimes even better than in-person learning because I can interact with my teachers while I’m comfortable in my home,” she said.

She continues, “I’m so happy to share my experience with newcomers because these online classes saved my life. We learn lessons that are so relevant to us newcomers. For example, I am learning many idioms, not only grammar and structure. I realize that Canadians use many idioms when they speak. So now I’m using them when I speak.”

“I definitely recommend learning with English Online to newcomers. I really appreciate this program because first, the content is excellent. We learn about multiculturalism, how to answer job interviews, and so many others. This is so important for newcomers. Second, the teachers are patient and they always provide motivation. At first I was so nervous to speak in class but the teachers always motivate and encourage us. Lastly, the teachers and staff provide good service. I feel that they always give me their full attention,” Isabella said.

“I’m so happy to share my experience with newcomers because these online classes saved my life. We learn lessons that are so relevant to us newcomers. For example, I am learning many idioms, not only grammar and structure. I realize that Canadians use many idioms when they speak. So now I’m using them when I speak.”

Writing as a superpower

Before moving to Canada, Isabella was managing her own consulting firm. She is a Certified Public Accountant. However, she is planning to shift careers in the near future. “Right now, I’m on the fence between becoming an Airbnb manager or a real estate agent,” she said.

Asked for advice for other newcomers, she said “I advise them to take their time. Don’t get a job right away if it’s possible. Learn the language and learn more about Canadian workplace culture. When they have more knowledge and skills, it is possible for them to apply for better jobs later on,” she said.

As we were wrapping up the interview, Isabella’s husband joined her on screen. He had been listening in on our conversation and couldn’t help but bear witness to his wife’s hard work and diligence. It was clear that he is so proud of Isabella’s greatly improved language skills.

“There are some things that she missed telling you. This lady really pushes herself in her studies. She has been working hard in all her classes and with her LINC teachers. She spends so much time and effort studying and we can see the difference. I see a big improvement in her speech and a continued improvement in her comprehension,” he said.

He also shared that Isabella took three weeks to fill out her PR application because she was so thorough; she even wrote detailed and descriptive stories in the application. “I think the stories she wrote there could make the immigration consultants cry. I can safely say that she writes better than I do!” Isabella’s proud husband said.

As he was speaking, I could see that Isabella was beaming with pride because of his validation. With this kind of support, coupled with her strong work ethic, I know she will succeed in anything she sets her mind to. Thank you, Isabella for choosing English Online. We are fortunate to have a learner like you!

Have you ever encountered a moment when you felt the undeniable power of destiny?

For Daria, it was a series of positive events that led her to believe that her family was meant to be in Manitoba.

Originally, they hadn’t planned on leaving their country, but like many Ukrainian immigrants, they were forced to flee due to the war. They lived just 38 kilometers away from the starting point of the bombings.

Daria’s family of four had to make the difficult decision to leave for their own safety. They stayed in Lithuania for six months while waiting for their Canadian visa, which they obtained through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. Finally, in September 2022, they arrived in Canada.

“Everything went so well it was like a fairy tale”

The family chose Manitoba as their destination because it reminded them of home. “Manitoba is very similar to Ukraine. It is a lot of fields, a lot of farmers, it looks like our area in Ukraine,” Daria said.

Daria’s husband, Volodymyr, who is a welder, started looking for a job. After a few weeks, he was contacted by Ag Shield in Benito, Manitoba. Daria said that the company arranged for their Russian-speaking staff, Nikolai, to interview her husband. “They spoke for about an hour and a half about his skills, and in the middle of the conversation he says, ‘yeah, you can move here. If it’s okay with you, we can also find a house for you,’” she recalls.

“We were very surprised. We were just searching for a job, but we found everything. We found a job, we found a house for living, and after this, we found a school for my kids, and I found a job for me right after we arrived,” Daria said.

Feels like home

Right from the start, the community warmly welcomed the Kryvenkos. “Nikolai picked us up from Winnipeg. He and his wife thought about everything. When he picked us up, he had snacks for us and our children. When we got to the house, his wife cooked supper for us. And the house was completely furnished. We had everything!” Daria recalls.

They immediately liked peaceful living in Benito. “You know, it’s a small town but it has everything you need for life. They have a post office, they have a daycare. I know now that it’s very important that the town has a daycare. It has a library, bank, a place for meetings, a recreation centre, we can even get insurance just across the street. But also, it’s nice and it’s quiet. Our children can ride the bike into the street and it’s alright because traffic is slow. I’m proud to live here,” Daria said.

After a few months, Daria was hired at the nearby school to teach 5th to 8th graders. Her job is ideal not only because it’s in her field (she was a teacher at a vocational school back in Ukraine), but also because it’s where her son is enrolled and their baby is in daycare. “We’re all together in one building. We enjoy every day together. We go to school and come home together. Our schedule is so nice, it seems almost impossible” she said.

Even Daria’s son is loving the arrangement. “When my son wants something from me, he just goes out of his class and goes to my class and says ‘mom…’ And I tell him, don’t call me mom at school, I’m Mrs. K here’ (laughs). I ask him not to do this and just wait until we get home. He doesn’t listen to me, but when he comes to my classroom, he now says ‘Mrs. K, can I have you for a minute?”’

“I have been taking classes on this platform since October. I really like it and really I feel that my English has improved a lot. I understand more and can talk more with different people, although I attend only evening classes (as I work). Thanks a lot to the instructors for helping us, this is a really big contribution to our development and adaptation.”

English is very, very important

From the very start, the couple was intent on improving their English. They knew that it is essential, not only for their career growth, but for their daily lives in their new home.

It was a good thing they learned about English Online (EO) from the immigrant centre in Swan River. ”We went there because in the future we want to receive permanent residence and we are working for this. The centre has a face-to-face language program but it won’t work for us because of our schedule. They gave us a flyer and we thought, wow, online is good for us. So we registered. We started attending evening classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,” Daria said.

Daria continues to be one of EO’s most active learners, even joining the weekly Language Contest on Facebook and Instagram. In fact, she is one of our Language Contest champions for the quarter. “I’m trying to improve my English in different ways. If I will be typing, if I will comment something, if I will participate in something, it will be great for me,” she said.

Aside from her informal classes at English Online, she practices speaking and writing at school. Daria loves talking to her high-energy students daily, even if sometimes the kids speak too fast for her. She also gets support from her co-teachers. “Our homeroom teacher, she’s an amazing woman. She helps me in everything. She helps me with my English and corrects what I say. And now she gave me the job to check paragraphs children wrote. I asked her, ‘Are you sure? Maybe after I check, you should double-check.’ She said, ‘No, you can do it. It’s good for you.’ So I try. When children write their stories, then I read it, I can search for their mistakes, I can search for wrong punctuation, it’s really good practice,” Daria said.

The future looks bright

Reflecting on how their settlement journey started, Daria believes that everything fell into place because of the help of others. “What’s important in our lives is support. At the school, my husband’s work, our community, the immigration centre, and also at English Online, everybody is supporting us. They are helping us make our lives better, easier,” Daria said.

With their hearts full of gratitude, the Kryvenkos continue to thrive in their new home. But they do not simply depend on fate. They work hard in their respective jobs, and continue striving to improve their language and professional skills. They are doing this not only for themselves, but to make their supportive community proud and contribute meaningfully to its growth.

Daria’s family’s journey to Manitoba exemplifies the power of destiny intertwined with hard work, support, and gratitude.

This quarter, we are privileged to share Daria’s story, as well as that of her husband, Volodymyr. The couple, along with their two kids, arrived in Manitoba in September 2022 from Ukraine.

If you’ve read Daria’s story, you would know that they fled Ukraine when hostilities began. They sought temporary refuge in Lithuania while waiting for their Canadian visa. After six months, they were finally able to travel to Canada, enduring three grueling days to reach Manitoba.

“Our trip started in Lithuania going by car to Latvia (a 239 km, three-hour ride) because in Lithuania, they had an airport but no available plane. From Latvia, we flew to Dublin, where we had a very difficult night at the airport. We waited for eight hours for the next plane to Toronto. Thankfully, the Red Cross helped for us to have a night at the hotel, and we had rest and bath,” Daria said.

The couple now looks back on this difficult experience with a smile knowing that it was all worth it. Upon arriving in Benito, Manitoba, a small town in Swan Valley West, they were greeted by a warm and welcoming community that provided them with everything they needed.

Welding a new life in Manitoba

A job offer in Benito set Volodymyr and his family on their path to Manitoba. While he was a teacher and computer program developer back in Ukraine, it was his hobby of welding that landed him a job. Upon arriving in Benito, the company gave him a practical test which he passed with flying colours.

This job, aside from providing him with a livelihood, also gave them a home, safety, and a sense of community. “Neighbors in Benito always say ‘tell us if you need anything.’ It’s home for us. Not a big town, population may be 400 people. But I think I know everybody, and everybody knows me now,” Volodymyr said.

This supportive environment has fueled his determination to further improve his welding expertise. He recently took two welding exams in Winnipeg, one of which he passed. He intends to take the other welding exam again in the near future, and also obtain a Red Seal certification when he has enough welding experience.

In addition to honing his welding skills, Volodymyr recognizes the importance of improving his language skills. Shortly after their arrival, the couple joined English Online and began attending evening drop-in sessions three times a week. Then, several weeks ago, Volodymyr was paired with e-Settlement coach, Ellen Min Chen. “When we matched, I was very worried about, ‘Would I be able to speak?’ ‘Would I be able to understand her?’ he said.

His fears were soon erased when their mentorship sessions started. “Every Saturday, I’m very happy to talk to Ellen, who is a fantastic woman who helps me. She explains to me when there is something I don’t understand. I can practice speaking English with her, get new information about Manitoba, and learn about supports for Ukrainian people,” he said. Recently, when the family visited Winnipeg, Ellen was their guide at The Forks.

Ellen also suggested enrolling in LINC Home Study, which is a formal language training program carried out online. Volodymyr and Daria are now considering LINC, or an in-person language program at Red River College as the next step to further improve their language skills.

Volodymyr’s commitment to both advancing his welding skills and language fluency reflects his determination to thrive in his new home and fully integrate into the Manitoba community.

“I know one rule I can share with you: If you do your job right, life will be good. Every time you need something, you need to work hard. Without hard work, you will never have anything. Whoever doesn’t like to work hard, Canada is not for them.”

Manitoba is my home

A big break, a supportive community, and assistance from newcomer-serving agencies have all contributed to Volodymyr and Daria’s smooth settlement journey. However, it’s evident that their success is also due to their positive attitude and hard work. When asked for advice to fellow newcomers, Volodymyr offers these wise words:

“I know one rule I can share with you: If you do your job right, life will be good. Every time you need something, you need to work hard. Without hard work, you will never have anything. Whoever doesn’t like to work hard, Canada is not for them.”

“Manitoba now is my home. This province opened its doors for me and my family and helped us with everything. You need to like this place. If you don’t like this place, this climate, this people… it will not work. Some might like to live in a big city, but I think this is the best place for me.”

The Kryvenkos’ journey to Manitoba has been marked by resilience, determination, and the unwavering support of their newfound community. From fleeing their home country in search of safety to embracing a new career path and immersing themselves in language and cultural learning, they have overcome challenges along the way. Through hard work and a positive attitude, they have embraced Manitoba as their home, appreciating the warmth of its people and the opportunities it offers. Their story serves as an inspiration to all newcomers, reminding us that with perseverance and an open heart, a new place can become not just a destination, but a true home.

Meeting Vira was like catching up with a long-lost friend. After being a consistent winner in our Summer Photo Contest and Pop-Up Quiz in July and August, I started following her on Instagram. I was blown away by her photos – Manitoba’s sprawling fields, lakes, and blue skies are captured so vividly. But my favourite posts are videos of herself doing watercolour paintings in real time. She’s so creative!

I started the interview thinking that she must have been an artist or designer back in her home country. What I learned is that Vira is full of surprises. She graduated with a degree in Thermal Power Engineering in Ukraine, and dreams of working in the field of ecology systems.

The art of logistics

Vira smiled when I told her that I envisioned her as a designer of some sort. She told me that she worked as a Sales Manager for a telecommunications company, handling telecoms supplies. Then, shortly before coming to Canada, she was a Project Manager in Warehouse Logistics.

I expressed my surprise but she said, “Logistics is creative too. You have to think about how you create order in your warehouse. You have to know how to arrange the materials. You have to know if you have enough supplies and the right kind. You have this all in your head,” she said.

“I’ve had a lot of occupations in my life,” she continues. “I am an ecologist. My dream is to create a waste processing or recycling plant. We didn’t have this in Ukraine. People didn’t want to spend money and time for this back home. This is why I didn’t work in my field. Also, right now, I’m a housewife and mother. This means I’m also a doctor, teacher, and a wife,” Vira said.

Creativity does come in many forms! Vira says that it’s her love of learning that has allowed her to shift into many fields. “For me, I like knowing something new. I like to study,” she said. This even extends to learning languages. Aside from being fluent in Ukrainian and Russian, Vira has also studied German. Before coming to Canada, she had been learning English as a hobby. In her spare time, she was using Duolingo an hour a day. Eventually, she studied with a teacher for a year.

Learning with EO

To continue building her skills, Vira enrolled in MOSAIC’s English classes shortly upon arriving in Manitoba. When the program went on summer break in April 2023, she discovered English Online (EO) and enrolled.

“At the start, I didn’t understand how learning with EO worked. Big Blue Button? What does it mean? But after a week, I understood. People were really friendly. The teachers were nice. I really like studying with Blaine, and Nastashya, and sometimes I connect with Pam, and Lori. They are interesting people. They have good pronunciation. When I listen, I understand everything,” Vira shared.

She also likes that classes have a flexible schedule, and that some classes in the day are repeated in the evening. Vira is able to understand the lessons better when she attends these repeat classes. Aside from this, she likes that she gets helpful information. “Topics for classes are about camp for my child, about health, the revenue agency, and other information for newcomers. In my country, I write two words on Google and I get information. But when you live in another country, you don’t know what words to write (to search) and you do not know if it’s the right information. So the topics are really a big help for newcomers,” she added.

“For me, learning with EO is a big opportunity because the classes are free. I spent a lot of money for teachers in my country and know how really expensive an hour with a teacher costs. And I now I’m studying in Canada with Canadian teachers for free,” Vira said.

This is why she takes advantage of learning with EO every chance she gets. And she is starting to reap the fruits of her labour. “I have a neighbor who speaks really quickly. His pronunciation is maybe American. Every time, I speak with him, I never understand. I keep saying, ‘what?’ and he would tell me really slowly. Two days ago, I spoke with him and I understand! I told my husband that maybe I have a higher level of English now,” she says proudly.

“All people help us. When we ask, I also have an answer. Never has people in Manitoba told me I don’t understand you, or your English is bad. They try to understand me and help me. It’s really ‘Friendly Manitoba!’ I’ve met very nice people. It’s really cool.”

A helping, friendly community

Considering that she and her family had been in Manitoba only for a year, she is adjusting to her new home quite well. She attributes this to the help of the Ukrainian community in Winnipeg which has helped her from preparation to settlement.

“We found a Ukrainian Community in Winnipeg channel on Telegram (a social media platform). They talk about how we get our SIN number, our bank account, how we find schools, and other information. We even ask stupid questions sometimes (laughs). And every day, these people answered our stupid questions. They really helped us,” Vira said.

“When we arrived in Manitoba, we knew what to do. We made an appointment with the bank and at Best Western because it is a hub for Ukrainians. We got our health documents and SIN number. We also learned about many services. For example, NEEDS, Inc. has many interesting services and events for our child. This organization works with Ukrainians and helps us every time. For us it’s a big help,” she said.

Vira repeatedly speaks well of the volunteers she has encountered. “All people help us. When we ask, I also have an answer. Never has people in Manitoba told me I don’t understand you, or your English is bad. They try to understand me and help me. It’s really ‘Friendly Manitoba!’ I’ve met very nice people. It’s really cool.”

“From all sides, I think people, government, and organizations, help newcomers start a new life in Canada,” Vira added. She makes special mention of all the resources made for Ukrainians – from their welcome meeting at the airport, the hub at Best Western, a section of the website for Ukrainians from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), as well as information booklets – all of which helped them have a smooth arrival and settlement.

For more information and resources for Ukrainian immigrants, go to the Manitoba 4 Ukraine site.

On to her next career

Right now, Vira is starting to look for jobs. She understands that her first job might not be in her field or at the level she was at back in Ukraine. Even her husband, who was at the top of his career as a telecommunications engineer working for Nokia, had to start fresh when he shifted to the aerospace industry.

This fact has not dampened her enthusiasm because she knows she can learn quickly. “I can start in another field, no problem. I’m ready to go tomorrow!” Vira said.

While job-hunting, Vira continues working on her English language skills. She’s also enjoying exploring Manitoba, and fishing together with her husband and son in Manitoba’s many lakes and rivers. She’s looking forward to practising her English with friendly Manitobans and learning more about Canadian culture. And of course, she’ll continue to create beautiful art in her spare time and posting them on Instagram.