Skilled New Canadian Resources

Romana Pasca

Originally from Romania

Being a recent immigrant herself, Romana Pasca, an employment counselor with the Prince George Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society, wants to help make that transition into Canada easier for those who are now on the same adventure.

As an immigrant, one's main goal is to integrate into the community as smoothly as possible. The stress of changing cultures, languages, systems, as well as proving yourself as a contributing member of the community can be daunting. The immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (IMSS) in Prince George played a very important role in supporting Romana's transition.  In Romania, Romana was a school administrator and high school teacher and in her new position as an employment counselor with IMSS, she wants to ease the path for others.

"It is a very complicated and challenging process to come into a new country and I found that without help and without knowing what the future will bring it's very hard," said Romana.  "When it is harder than newcomers imagined it would be, it becomes a little bit frustrating."

"I'm always telling people that in a short time they will be doing so well - beyond their dreams and better than they can imagine," said Romana.  "And that gives me such a feeling of accomplishment when I can help them.  It's very nice when you see people a few years later and they're on their path and happy and fulfilled.  Canada is a wonderful country and there is a lot of opportunity here and when people have a good attitude, it makes a big difference."

Shyvi Jacob

Originally from India

A full time job as a registered nurse at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. and studying as a part-time student at the University for her masters in nursing keeps Shyvi Jacob very busy.  Shyvi currently works with kidney failure patients in the hemodialysis department of the hospital.

She moved to Canada from India in 2007 with her husband Aji Jacob, who is a senior chemical engineer. They settled in Prince George in 2008.

Shyvi got her basic nurse's training in India and New Zealand and then went on to write and pass the Canadian registered nurse exam in 2008. "I'm doing my masters in nursing because I want to learn more about the Canadian nursing system.  Moreover, higher study is very important in this fast paced advanced nursing profession."  She also believes that getting her masters will open more doors to jobs in research, management and education.

Shyvi loves Canada for the opportunity it provides.  "If you're willing to work hard, you will be successful here." Shyvi goes on to say "I am so happy that we made the decision to come to can ad a because this is a very peaceful, beautiful country and the people that I deal with have given me and my profession respect and dignity."

Jane Wei Liang

Originally from South East China

It's all about the children for Jane Wei Liang, who came to this country in 2005 from South East China.  Her family moved to Prince George in 2009.  As many people know, China has a one-child policy and Liang really wanted more children.  In fact, she thought about having between five and eight children but said she's happy to have settled on lucky number three.

"The children make our every effort and all the hard times worthwhile," said Liang, who arrived in Canada with a masters in economics.  "I want my kids to have opportunities of a good education, which is more practical, more skills related with a creative orientation rather than simply an academic focus only." James is 15, Eric is 5, and Abigail is 3.

"I know that Canadians are encouraged to have their own opinions - especially in school - we wanted that for our children, to have more opportunities in their lives, makes decisions for themselves, be brace and take responsibility for themselves," said Liang, who herself went to UBC to earn an MBA.  She is now a marketing instructor at the College of New Caledonia.

Liang said she found there was less pressure in lifestyle in Prince George, more job opportunities and it's so nice they can afford a comfortable home. "The best part is my kids will be pure Canadian, frank, positive, and friendly with humour.  I have no doubt in that and I am so very proud."

Sen (Jefferson) Li

Originally from Mainland China

Prince George, where my dream comes true.

Have you ever been to a strange environment where everything is completely different than where you came from? Have you ever worried: will I fit into a new and culturally different environment? Have you dreamed of being somewhere new and different? I had all these concerns when I first started my life in Prince George back to 2003.

When I woke up this morning on October 7th, 2010 and began get ready for work, I suddenly realized that time goes by really fast. Lots of memories kept playing in my head; I had started my life in Prince George as an International student at the College of New Caledonia. My career and education goal was to be successful in Business Management or Human Resources. During the time I studied in Prince George, I did not waste a single minute, because what I wanted most was for my dream to come true. I was not only a full time student at the college, but also kept busy working part time and volunteering on campus and in the community after my classes. My English improved really quickly and I started to pick up more of the cultural differences, and at the same time, the multicultural diversity of what it was to be Canadian.

I have been fortunate to make many friends while at the college in Prince George, both international and domestic. This has created a unique experience for me and I still keep learning about different cultures.

I graduated in 2008 with my Business Management diploma. I was so happy that I had achieved the first half of my goal. In 2009, I got hired as a full time employee with a permanent contract as the International Student Service Assistant in the International Education Centre at the College of New Caledonia. I started to pay it forward, passing all my experience and knowledge gained through my transition in coming to Canada on to the new International students who brought with them, the same expectations and dreams as I also had in 2003 when my dream had only begun.

Now, I am 26 years old and I am in the process of becoming a permanent resident. I love Prince George because we have a friendly and diverse community. Prince George is like a big family and the community really cares and is willing to help welcome our new immigrants. I am proud to be part of this community and happy to share my experiences with them.

Dr. Albert Koehler

Originally from West Germany

My wife and I immigrated to Canada on March 10th, 1985. It was a dream we wanted to fulfill after having extensively travelled through BC and Alberta in 1978 on our Honeymoon vacation.

We came with two children, 2 and 5 years old and a total of CAN $10,000 which was not much, considering that we did not know anybody and had no employment when sitting the day after our arrival at Vancouver's English Bay beach. We looked at each other and said: what now? We were both well educated and while my wife looked after the children I found a job as a mechanic in Richmond, BC. We could pay the rent and get used to the new society we had chosen to live in.

One year later I started my own engineering company and in 1997 opened a branch office in Prince George, while also relocating our family to Prince George. I would not want to change this community with anything else any more. The many unlimited opportunities here in the North and the welcoming character of the society make it a place that is second to none.

Prince George allowed me to excel, become the President of the Chamber of Commerce and to serve as a board member with various organizations in the community. Having seen many parts of this globe, I cannot imagine spending the rest of my life anywhere else.

Giulliana Tamblyn

Originally from Peru

I am sharing my experience as a professional immigrant from Peru, hoping to help others make a smart and smooth transition to Canadian culture.

An economist in Peru, I started to look for administrative or clerical jobs after first studying English for a year. I was unsuccessful. Some immigrant organizations advised me that I was probably overqualified and suggested I remove the university degree from my resume. But I still could not find a job.

Discouraged, I decided to try more school. I took a Business Accounting program at community college, which I completed in 1½ years as I got some credit for my foreign degree. As I was wrapping up my diploma, motherhood intervened! After a year off, I got the first job I applied for - Junior Accounting Clerk. I think the key to employability here is to study at a Canadian post-secondary institution. Companies clearly prefer Canadian studies and work experience.

I currently am mother of two beautiful boys, Andrew (6) and Josh (4). I work part-time as an International Liaison for a local mining services company, and own my home-based business, offering international management, bookkeeping and translation services.

I love spending time with my family, but volunteering in my community is my passion. A founder and Past-President of the Latino-Canadian Association of Northern BC, I am now on the Board of IMSS and volunteer with the Hart Community Association.

I wish you all success in beautiful Prince George, BC, Canada!

Ajit Dayanandan

Originally from India

Ajit is an Associate Professor of Economics at Prince George's University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and holds a BA, MA and MPhil from the University of Kerala, India. He was awarded a PhD in Economics from the University of Sydney in Australia.

Before joining UNBC he had lectured in Economics at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. Prior to these assignments he worked as a Director in the Research Department of the Reserve Bank of India covering areas of monetary policy, debt management, reserve management and more.

Ajit presently teaches and researches in the Economics, Business and International Studies program at UNBC. He attributes his success in Canada to luck, good credentials and hard work.