Meet Jorge Fernandez, the Executive Director at the Immigrant Centre.

Fernandez is a graduate at University of Quito, in Ecuador.


He has arrived in Winnipeg in 1985 and has started at Immigrant Centre as a client. He envisioned himself working at the organization at the very first time, when he was in the waiting room at the then called International Centre. He overcome challenges. He couldn’t speak English and he came to Immigrant Centre looking for guidance. Not much longer after that day, Fernandez was working at the organization, first as a volunteer and then as an employee.


While making a difference working over different levels at Immigrant Centre, he has helped countless immigrants and newcomers to settle in Winnipeg. As the Executive Director, he is creating and enhancing programs that help Immigrant Centre's clients, making a difference into their lives. Jorge Fernandez also plays an important role in the national conversation about changes in immigration policy and innovative practices.


The Immigrant Centre is an organization that provides settlement services to newcomers in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Manitoba Museum

Today we decided that it was time to finally visit the Manitoba Museum, here in Winnipeg. What an amazing experience!

I highly recommend that. It was a nice surprise seeing what those walls so close to downtown are hiding. It worth every cent you spend in there.

First we visited the Earth Explorers area. That was nice, not so super surprising, but interesting. You will find beautiful images and videos to see, but not too much to experiment though.

The amazing part was, however, the Museum venue. It was unexpected to us, to be honest. My daughter didn’t even want to go. She ended up loving it and having lots of fun!

What an amazing exposition they have there. I can tell you: take your kids to the museum. Go yourself and explore it. Do not leave the city without knowing this museum.

You are going to learn about human history and natural history.  You are going to learn about how Manitoba was formed and most important: you are going to experiment it. You will board a pirate ship and you will learn that the museum was built around the ship after it was brought and place it there.

You will have fun. You will learn and you will love it. I really don't want to kill your experience there by telling you all the experience we had. In my opinion, you have to see and feel it by yourself. I could not help but share with you, though, that it is an awesome place to spend some time in. Grab a good pair of shoes and walk the museum! I hope you like it as much as we did.

Inspiring Daphne Odjig mural. Beautiful.

Impressively detailed mockup 

Amazing entrance at the pirate ship

Tips for settling in another country with children

When my husband and I decided to immigrate to Canada, I remember myself having two main concerns. The first one was how to tell my 8-years old daughter about our decision. The second was how to tell my mom.

I decided to start with my mom. Actually, that was unexpectedly easy. She totally supported us, as she always does.

I was more concerned, however, about my daughter. She is a little shy (maybe “a lot”) and very loyal to her friendships.  I knew we had to take care of this with patience and love.

Once we had sent our visa application, even though we hadn’t had any answers yet, we decided that it was time to tell her.

So, we started “the” dialogue, simplified here.

Us: We decided to move to Canada, you know that is another country, right? We will live there.

She: When?

Us: When we have our documents released (and we briefly explained her the visa process and how it works to live in another country).

She: What language do they speak?

Us: They speak English.

She: But I don’t speak English.

Us: That’s ok. You will learn it.

And from that moment my heart started to break. I knew, from my previous experience in London, England, how hard it is not to speak the country’s language. I also knew how hard it is to leave everything behind. So, she took some private English classes and also started an English course, where she only learned the basics, the survival structures. Our intention was to familiarize her with the language.

We were always open to talk to her about Canada, to make plans and share our expectations. We were also open to listen her concerns and to address every fear of her with love and understanding.  The hardest one was when she started to become worried about her friends. And how she would make new friends. Or how often she would see her friends from Brazil. Not always we have answers to our children’s questions. But we have tried really hard to make everything as honest as possible to her. To decide to move to another country isn’t an easy decision but it was the right one for us.

Here are some tips that we have learned with our journey so far:

·      Try to explain to your children early on in the process what is happening, even if they are very young. Make the children feel involved. Be simple, concise and honest.

·      Don’t anticipate possible questions they may have. Induce the conversation, but do not make questions for them. Questions will come up naturally. Answer all the questions they ask with honesty and sincerity.

·      Don’t diminish their feelings. Do not say things like “it’s easy”, or “it’s nothing”. Instead say, “it’s not easy, but we can handle it together, we have each other to support and care.”

·      Take their favorite toys/stuff with you, even though it may be cheaper to buy them again when you get there. In particular, use some of your hand luggage allowance for their favorite toy.

·      Take with you as much as possible of the familiar things your child uses daily. Being able to see familiar stuff make them feel safe.

·      Take photos of the most silly things that make up your children’s world: their room, their friends, the grown-ups they know, the places they go to, the kitchen in their old home. Even take pictures of their toys. Print the photos and put them in an album that your child can keep in their new room. More than anything else, it builds a bridge to their new life.

·      Be around a lot for your children when settling into your new life. You may be the only familiar face they know and if they can see that you are calm and happy, they probably will be too. This is the most challenging thing of all to do because there is so much to do when setting up a new life abroad, but anything you can do will help.

·      Try to ensure you can get a decent Internet connection along with a webcam and a Skype account. Allow your children to connect with family and friends as much as they need. Naturally, they will engage on their new life and seek for familiar references will became less necessary with the time.

·      Lastly, tell your children how much you love them. Always. Everyday. Cuddle, hug, and make them feel safe and loved.  Children adapt to new places.  They just need (as we need too) some time.

My daughter is doing very well. We are super proud of her! She has started to communicate in English just after two months being here! She has made new friends! She still misses her friends from Brazil, and we are still learning how to deal with the distance from our families. But, more importantly, we are together!

10 tips to smooth your settlement in Winnipeg, Canada

Photo credit

This month my family and I complete 1 year and 5 months leaving in Winnipeg, Canada. As I said before, it has been an amazing journey, with the ups and downs of a new life.

Today, I would like to share with you some tips I’ve learned to better settle in a new country. That is my experience. It does not mean that it will work out to everyone. But has been working to us so far.

1. Don’t convert dollars to your home currency

If you are Brazilian, specially, you will be depressed. The rates are so outrageous right now!

Think on Canadian dollars. As soon as you start doing it you will have a reference of price and it will make your life easier in terms of deciding the purchases you will need to make. And don’t go crazy on buying everything you see in front of you. Although some stuff seems cheap, trust me: it’s not. Money flies away before you know it!

2. If you ask, many will help

I noticed that if you ask for help, many people would try to help you out. It doesn’t seem, however, that Canadians will interfere on your life. I guess this is not considered acceptable to them. So, if you need, ask! There are a lot of good people out there. And don’t forget to help others too. It’s always a cycle.

3. Canadians expect a firm handshake when you are introduced

 Your handshake must be firm. It indicates that you are both, open-minded and confident. That’s very important as a first impression, especially if you are meeting new people and making new friends. If you are Brazilian, don’t kiss. Just don’t.

4. Appearances matter

In the school environment as much as in the work place, remember: unfortunately everybody gets a first impression just looking at you. I know this impression can change, and probably will, but do yourself a favor: show of your happiness and pleasure on meeting them.

5. Winter

Ok, Winnipeg is cold. Canada can be very cold depending on where you are from. That’s it. Use proper clothes. Life doesn’t end at the winter. And the sun will come shinny and bright.

6. Get a local certificate

Is important to any employer in the world to know that the employee has knowledge and skills to fulfill the job. Getting a local certificate by going to a Canadian Institution make them trust in you quicker. And lets face the truth: you will build a network and will make friends! That’s a perfect deal.

7. Showcase your soft skills

Especially if you are starting a new career. Skills such as leadership, strong work ethics, positive attitude towards your life, good communications skills, time management abilities, social intelligence, problem-solving skills, self-confidence, flexibility, adaptability, and so on. Not just mention them on your resume. Showcase them.

8. Get a survival job

We need the first job. It may not be the dream job. But is the one that will open your doors to the labour market. Get it. And learn from it. The first is crucial, but it doesn’t need to be the last.

9. Keep looking for your dream job

It will happen just if you keep looking (and if you are making your way for it).

10. Keep enough funds to return

You can tell me: “I haven’t come here to return.” But it feels safer to know that you can come back home if you need. For any reason!

Other than that, enjoy Canada!

Do you have any other tips to settle in Canada? Share with us by leaving a comment! I would love to hear your story.