1. Planning for Canada: Newcomers Thrive
I wanted to let you know that my presentation has been a join effort between me and Christopher, my colleague from Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, he was not able to come to NACADA. There are many dedicated individuals involved with his project.
Christopher Kosteroski (Parkland college)
Margarita Natcheva (Red River College)

2. Agenda Planning for Canada
Challenges in advising newcomers through
Share tips on writing an effective
Build a positive advising relationships
Adjusting to Canada
Questions newcomers ask
Emerging needs
Unwritten rules of the Canadian workplace
Best practices and lessons learned

3. What is Planning for Canada?
The Planning for Canada initiative is funded by the Government of Canada to help prospective immigrants prepare for economic success before arrival in Canada.
This is a free pre-arrival service. It is available for all Economic and Family Class applicants, including their spouses and adult dependents. 
In 2016, Planning for Canada has assisted 5790 prospective immigrants in more than 70 countries.

4. What are the benefits of pre-arrival services?
Access to up-to-date information and resources
Insights into challenges and opportunities you might face in Canada
Guidance and personalized action plan to help newcomers consider options and make informed decisions
Pre-arrival connections with Canadian partner agencies that will further help prospective immigrants with their transition to Canada
Faster and more successful integration into life in Canada
Language, education, settlement, and cultural supports

6. My Action Plan

7. Occupational Scripts

8. Challenges
Developing a meaningful client-advisor relationship through s
Clients feel disconnected, isolated, nervous

9. Tips for an effective e-mail
Advisors should continually monitor the quality of their communications through mentally reviewing a checklist:
Did I include a greeting or a warm statement?
Did I provide the information that the client requested and anticipate the client’s needs by providing additional information?
Did I establish a sense of shared responsibility?
Did I invite follow-up communication?
Ohrablo, S. (2014). 7 Ways Advisors Can More Effectively Engage Online Students. Website: students
Every can have a greeting that humanizes you and makes the client feel cared for. “It’s great to hear from you”, “I hope you are doing well” are simple phrases that can make a student feel connected.
Provide the client with links to resources but avoid information overload.
Help students know exactly who to call and what to ask can help reduce the frustration. Making calls on behalf of clients is another excellent way to show you care and provide them with the information they need.

10. Proactive engagement for developing positive and effective advising relationships
Provide useful, relevant information and offer assistance, but be careful not to overwhelm them.
Encourage students to contact you with any questions they may have, you will quickly develop a proactive partnership.
Anticipate client needs and provide information that the client did not solicit.
Ohrablo, S. (2016). Advising online students: Replicating best practices of face-to-face advising. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Website:  Replicating-Best-Practices-of-Face-to-Face-Advising.aspx
In our case, we read the MAP and anticipate the needs of the prospective immigrants to Canada.

11. Adjusting to Canada
A highly personal journey
A shared social experience

12. Questions newcomers ask in general
General questions about college programs
Career exploration
Finding work in Canada
Credential recognition and processes for crediting previous education
Bridging programs
Financial support
Language Training
Settlement support
How to meet the admission requirements for Red River College

13. Emerging needs that need to be addressed
Job search and career exploration
Gaining Canadian experience (volunteering, seeking lower level jobs, engaging in professional mentoring groups, identifying transferrable skills and experiences)
Helping newcomers have a realistic idea of the settlement process
Networking in Canada -Informational interviews, joining professional organizations, etc.
Workplace integration and developing soft skills
Mental health supports-depression, overwhelmed and home-sick.
I have a PHD, but I am not finding work
I don’t know how to get Canadian experience
I am moving to Canada in a month and I want to find work right away. First, go to Manitoba START, Entry program, check on your English levels, etc.
I want to work in a bank, what kind of qualifications do I need to have? –information interview

14. Unwritten rules (expectations) in the Canadian workplace
Use an evolving set of career expectations
Show a half-full attitude
Expand your enabling skills before seeking promotion
Ask when you don’t understand
Bring up problems and mistakes a.s.a.p.
Learn from your mistakes
Point out mistakes with softeners
Act on the unspoken meeting rules
Speak up

15. Unwritten rules (continued…)
10. Contribute 11. Participate 12. Find the mainstream workplace culture 13. Stay on your organization’s clock 14. Understand power 15. Integrate-don’t isolate 16. Avoid knee-jerk reactions 17. Master English, even once you’re employed 18. Use only English at work

16. Workplace Integration
Workplace integration is the unique experience newcomers have of adapting their language, communication and other cultural behaviors to the norms of their Canadian workplaces, in order to fully contribute their expertise and achieve a meaningful sense of belonging in the Canadian workplace.

17. Best practices and lessons learned
Annual Planning for Canada conference for Focal Point Partners
Improving our Welcome Letter
Providing ideas to newcomers about important information to consider before leaving their home countries
Collaboration with other Focal Point Partners
Building networks and partnerships with both pre- and post-arrival service providers

18. Conclusion: Newcomers don’t have to start from scratch upon arrival
Information and resources are in place
Confidence increases
Stress is reduced
Post-arrival services take over

19. Questions? Ideas?

20. References:
Ohrablo, S. (2014). 7 Ways Advisors Can More Effectively Engage Online Students. Website: advisors-can-more-effectively-engage-online-students
Ohrablo, S. (2016). Advising online students: Replicating best practices of face-to-face advising. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Website:  Articles/Advising-Online-Students-Replicating-Best-Practices-of-Face-to- Face-Advising.aspx
Holmes, Paul A. Workplace Integration: A Desk Reference for Newcomers to Canada. content/uploads/2015/01/workplace-integration.pdf