Meet Adriana Guallasamin.
The Newcomer Journey is one of resilience, perseverance, and new beginnings.
My name is Adriana Guallasamin, and I’m from Quito, Ecuador. I grew up in the Andes region, surrounded by mountains, snowy peaks, and volcanoes. This fostered my love for nature, so I enjoy hiking and long walks. I’m also passionate about exploring different cultures, which led me to backpack and volunteer across Europe for two years.
Professionally, I hold an MBA and have over 10 years of experience in finance and managing social projects, having worked with both multinational companies and universities.
In February 2023, I moved to Moncton, Canada, with my husband, who had secured a job in the city. I was excited about our new home and had been eagerly researching the area.
From the moment we arrived in Moncton, we were warmly welcomed. Despite it being winter, our first day was unexpectedly mild and sunny. What truly impressed me was the friendliness of the locals—the bus driver’s warm greetings and the way passengers expressed their thanks. I knew then that we had found the perfect place to call home.
Although I had previous experience living abroad, relocating permanently to start a family brought its own unique challenges. Packing up my life into just a few suitcases was overwhelming and adapting to a new environment required significant adjustments. As a Latin American who deeply values community, leaving my family and friends behind was particularly difficult. However, I gradually connected with other newcomers who were navigating similar transitions. By sharing insights and supporting one another, we successfully adapted to the city and discovered its opportunities.
One of the biggest challenges I faced as a newcomer was the language barrier, especially since I hadn’t practiced the language for some time. However, I approached this challenge with a positive and proactive attitude. I joined conversation circles with other newcomers, put myself out there to face new challenges, such as job hunting, and thoroughly prepared for interviews.
Before arriving in Canada, I received a letter about pre-settlement services and reached out to Amanda Saunders and Khalil Mokraoui. I was really impressed by the level of support MAGMA provided to newcomers, which gave me the confidence to settle into my new life in Moncton. It’s interesting how Amanda and Khalil have now become my colleagues.
While searching for resources, I found the Skills Launch program, which was ideal for preparing me for the Canadian job market. Although I had the experience, I needed guidance on entering the market here. Through the program, I was given the opportunity to work on- the-job training (OJT) as a Settlement Counsellor, where I assisted asylum seekers in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. I was later hired full-time for the role.
Working with asylum seekers has shown me the in- credible resilience and strength of parents who endure numerous struggles and dangers on their journey to reach a safe country like Canada. They start from scratch—learning a new language and facing various challenges—all to provide their children with better opportunities for the future. Their dedication and hard work are truly inspiring.
I aspire to continue supporting newcomers and to contribute to the community in the same way I was supported when I first arrived here. I aim to keep lead- ing and strengthening the sense of community while sharing important opportunities with newcomers who are striving to create a stable life in this city.
Never give up. Sometimes plans don’t go perfectly as we initially hoped, but everything can still work out in the right direction. There will be challenges, fears, and ups and downs along the way. However, if you work hard and persevere, you will reach your goals in this city, your new home.
