Five inspiring immigrant journeys to follow on social media

Newcomers in Canada have taken to platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to share their firsthand experiences into settling in a new country.

For those considering a move to Canada or already adjusting to life here, these shared stories offer not only inspiration but also valuable guidance.

Below, CIC News has curated five social media accounts that deliver practical advice, personal stories, and community support for newcomers to Canada.

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Canada Couple

• Run by: Harmeet Singh and Manpreet Kaur
• From: India
• Immigrated to: Toronto, Canada
• Current stage in the immigration journey: Citizens of Canada
• Notable content (YouTube): “Life in Canada - First few weeks”; “How To Get Canada PR | Step By Step | Express Entry | Canada Couple”; and “How to get a Job in Canada”

Started by husband-and-wife duo Harmeet and Manpreet, the “Canada Couple” account reflects on the couple’s own experiences and lessons learned while immigrating to Canada.

As one of the earliest popular Canadian immigration vlogs on YouTube, the Canada Couple offers in-depth information for both aspiring and current permanent residents—discussing topics ranging from everyday challenges of moving to Canada, and immigration policy updates, to best practices around managing expenses and finding high-demand jobs.

Best advice for newcomers:

Harmeet explained the value of engaging with a wide range of sources about what to expect when moving to Canada:

"We strongly suggest watching a ton of YouTube videos and listening to podcasts from different creators... Everyone’s perspective is unique. What works in downtown Toronto might not suit someone looking for a quieter suburban life. It’s important to explore these varied views. Engage in forums, read up-to-date articles, and reach out to those who’ve been living in Canada—friends, family, or helpful contacts—to gather a broad range of insights..."

Where to find them and future plans:

The Canada Couple can be found on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Additionally, they have a Hindi vlog channel, and host a weekly podcast called “CandidCast” on YouTube: “It’s a great way to get to know different stories, especially for people who might be getting a bit bored of just hearing from us” Harmeet quips.

Travelers On The Go

• Run by: Charbel Mehrab, Sabeh Badran, and Tony Alkhoury
• From: Lebanon
• Immigrated to: Toronto, Canada
• Current stage in the immigration journey: Permanent residents of Canada
• Notable content (Instagram): Building first IKEA bed in Canada; Trip to Blue Mountain Resort; Canada Day fireworks in Montreal’s Old Port.

“Travelers On The Go” features a fun-loving and aspirational side of the immigrant experience, showcasing the exciting activities and opportunities available in Toronto and across Canada.

Through this channel Charbel, Sabeh, and Tony, highlight a diverse range of attractions and experiences that those new to Canada can enjoy—from discovering artisanal food spots in Toronto to attending film festivals, indulging in the nightlife, planning date nights, and embracing everyday life both in and outside the city.

Born from a mutual love for exploring new places and creating engaging content, Travelers On The Go aims to guide newcomers and Canadians alike through Canada’s top cultural hotspots and must-visit destinations.

Best advice for newcomers:

Travelers On The Go highlighted how important it is for newcomers in Canada to connect with the people around them, and be mindful of Canadian cultural values:

"Explore local events, festivals, and food spots to truly immerse yourself in the community. Make connections by building your network through community groups and social events.“

“...Remember, Canadian culture values kindness and respect—small gestures can make a big difference.”

Where to find them and future plans:

Newcomers can connect with Travelers On The Go on Instagram, to catch all their latest adventures in Toronto and beyond.

The managing trio have several plans for the future of the channel, hoping that it will continue to evolve into a “go-to resource for newcomers and locals” in Canada. “Our passion for this project drives us,” Sabeh said, “and we’re committed to keeping it real with our audience—that's what really sparks those meaningful connections.”

Nneka Ezeanya

• Run by: Nneka Ezeanya
• From: Nigeria via Ukraine
• Immigrated to: Thunder Bay, Canada
• Current stage in the immigration journey: Canadian citizen
• Notable content (YouTube): “Schools to avoid as an international student | your work permit will be rejected”; “I finally got my pr approved | permanent resident Canada”; and “How to become a Registered Nurse in Canada without a science or nursing background”.

Initially a nursing student in Nigeria, Nneka traveled to Ukraine to further her education before deciding to immigrate to Canada for better career and education prospects.

Nneka’s content on her YouTube channel is centered around practical tips and

information for those immigrating to Canada as healthcare students or workers—resources she found lacking during her own transition:

“When I was planning my move to Canada, I realized I could have begun my certification process from abroad, but I had no idea at the time,” she explains. This gap in available information inspired her to start her own channel.

Her channel has covered her entire immigration journey, from obtaining a study permit to transitioning to a work permit, achieving permanent residency, and (most recently) Canadian citizenship. She plans to share more about her new status and its impact in future videos.

Best advice for newcomers:

Nneka emphasizes the importance of persistence, and remembering your motivations for moving:

“Remember why you started this journey. Writing down your reasons can be a powerful reminder during tough times.... It's going to test you a lot, but it's always worth it. Based on my own experience and that of my loved ones who are now enjoying the benefits here, I assure you that the efforts and struggles during the immigration process will eventually pay off.”

Where to find them and future plans:

Nneka can be found on YouTube under her full name (Nneka Ezeanya).

Having now achieved her goal of obtaining Canadian citizenship, Nneka is focusing on becoming a licensed Nurse Practitioner, and possibly relocating from Thunder Bay to a new city.

She is enthusiastic about the next phase of her Canadian journey and eager to bring her audience along.

The NRI Guide

• Run by: Brijesh Soni
• From: India
• Immigrated to: Toronto, Canada
• Current stage in the immigration journey: Permanent resident in Canada
• Notable content (Instagram): “Scams in Canada (series)”; “Six winter items to bring from India to Canada”; “The secret of finding a job in Canada”.

Brijesh Soni started creating content on social media under “the_nri_guide” account, driven by a desire to help others navigate the challenges he faced during his own immigration journey.

He covers a comprehensive range of topics—from choosing the right winter gear and understanding public transport to reviewing important immigration updates and recommending trustworthy sources of information.

Brijesh is particularly passionate about helping newcomers avoid scams and misinformation through his content:

"With social media, it’s frighteningly easy for bad actors to impersonate licensed consultants or lawyers nowadays—I've even seen people impersonating me," he cautions.

Best advice for newcomers:

Brijesh highlighted the importance of engaging with pre-arrival resources:

“I attended an IRCC-organized workshop in India, which prepared me mentally for the move, provided essential contacts and resources, and helped me start building a community with fellow immigrants before even arriving,”

He also pointed out the necessity of being tenacious and developing a flexible plan of action when immigrating to Canada:

“If something isn’t working, be ready to try a new approach.... I’ve seen many who came here with determination and a readiness to do whatever it takes; these are often the people who find significant success.”

Where to find them and future plans:

Brijesh can be found through the_nri_guide account, on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

He says he is committed to using both his personal time and social media presence to continue supporting newcomers and providing them with valuable information:

“I continue to volunteer with ACCES Employment, an organization I discovered through their bridging course that greatly helped me when I first came to Canada.... I will definitely keep helping newcomers here with my social media videos, using these platforms to inspire and empower others in their journey to and within Canada.”

Maple Indian Diaries

• Run by: Nehal and Nikhil Vyas
• From: India
• Immigrated to: Ottawa, Canada
• Current stage in the immigration journey: Work permit holders in Canada
• Notable content (Instagram): “21 things you should know before moving to Canada”; Buying their first car in Canada; Main reasons for moving to Canada.

With a healthy mix of practical settlement information and personal vlogs of life in Canada, “Maple Indian Diaries” covers a range of topics around settling in Canada as a newcomer.

Started by Nehal and Nikhil a little over a year ago, the Maple Indian Diaries account was initially created out of a joint need for practical information about settling in Canada, and a desire to tell the realities of the couple’s own story.

In the past, Nehal and Nikhil have made content around understanding credit scores, grocery shopping in Canada, adapting to the Canadian climate, and managing cost of living expenses.

They have also featured personal experiences like their first times seeing the Northern Lights, ice skating, and experiencing the fall weather.

Best advice for newcomers:

Nehal and Nikhil advocate for the importance of grit and community when moving to Canada:

"Persistence is crucial. Make sure to tap into community support and resources. Don’t get discouraged by initial setbacks.”

"...and for those coming here alone, building community is vital," Nehal adds. "It makes people feel much less alone in their journey because settling in a new place is not easy.”

Where to find them and future plans:

Maple Indian Diaries can be found on Instagram and YouTube.

In the future, the couple hopes to expand their social media presence, documenting their adventures in Canada and their navigation of the permanent residence (PR) process.

“There’s so much more we want to explore and share with everyone who’s been part of this incredible journey,” the couple said.

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