Martina Khulova
Martina Khulova is a former ILAC education agent from Slovakia who recently started a new job at ILAC. You can follow Martina on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Moving to Canada from a foreign country can be overwhelming, but for me it has been the most exciting and life changing thing I have ever done. I literally packed everything I owned in two suitcases, jumped on a plane, and landed on the opposite side of planet Earth. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew it was my chance to build the future of my dreams.
The common goal of many students who come to Canada is to get work experience so they can create a better life, grow personally and professionally, improve their language skills but also meet new people and explore this stunning country. Canada is full of opportunities to do all of that and more!
Once you settle into your new home in Canada, get a SIN number and find work through ILAC’s Career Services, LinkedIn, Indeed or some other way, it’s time to get ready to shine at your new job.
Here are a few simple tips to help you build relationships at your new job as well as achieve long-term success in Canada:
Welcome diversity
Working in Canada will be different from what you experienced back home. In Canada, you will work with people from many different cultures and backgrounds, and you will discover differences in how others think, what people find normal vs. strange and how people communicate. Be open-minded, broaden your knowledge about other cultures and always be respectful.
I love the diversity at ILAC and in Toronto, where every person has a unique story about how they got here and what they have achieved. Learning about other people’s accomplishments in Canada is very inspiring!
Go the extra mile
This unwritten rule is international. Showcase your best professional attitude by putting in extra effort and being proactive. Being proactive means that you foresee situations, seek solutions to problems and actively do your best. Fully understanding the business may take some time but be patient, ask questions, participate in meetings, and learn as much as you can every day. As a newcomer, going the extra mile and picking up extra tasks will show that you are reliable employee and a team player.
At ILAC, my position allows me to work with many different teams and every day I learn something new. It’s a dynamic environment that is constantly changing, which allows me to grow my skills and expertise.
Track your achievements
As you start picking up more tasks and responsibilities, it’s helpful to track what tasks you completed, and what still needs to be done. Keep a daily to-do list which will serve as a tracker to help you stay focused and productive.
At ILAC, I take notes to help me remember things, especially in the beginning when I was trying to make sense out of everything – names of people, who did what, important projects and special events. That way if I forget something I can easily go back to my notebook and get my answers right away.
So far, I’ve been a new employee at ILAC for five months and I’m still getting to know the company culture and people. Everyone has been welcoming, kind and every day feels like an adventure.  I’m so grateful for this opportunity to experience working in Canada at one of the best international education companies in the world!