Sergio Manrique and Family
Accountant credits government programs and friendly communities for making Alberta a good choice for newcomers
Adjusting to new surroundings is not difficult for Sergio Manrique. That’s one of the reasons why, in 2005, he chose to immigrate to Canada with his wife and two children from Monterrey, Mexico where he had been living for 20 years.
“We based our decision to come to Edmonton, Alberta on the fact that we had visited the city and liked it. Alberta is a good place to raise a family with an excellent quality of life, and jobs are available,” Sergio explained.
Before making the move, Sergio spoke with friends living in Edmonton and did “a ton of research.” While it was challenging at times to find the information he was looking for about the immigration process, he says he is happy he didn’t give up. “The immigration process is not easy,” he explained. “I remember spending hours online trying to find out as much information as possible before arriving in Canada. Thankfully, we also had friends in Edmonton who answered a lot of our questions about the city. That was a big help.”
Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in business and finance and 10 years of experience in the banking sector in Mexico, Sergio was eager to find work in his field once he arrived in Edmonton. He enrolled in the Accelerated Accounting Program offered through the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) in partnership with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. It is one of the government’s bridging programs offered for immigrants to Alberta.
Today, Sergio works for the EMCN as an immigrant access fund coordinator, where he helps newcomers get settled.
Sergio and his family are happy to be living in Edmonton, and say they are even adjusting to the cold weather. That’s one more reason Sergio encourages people to do their research before coming to Alberta. “I would say the biggest challenge of the immigration process is networking and getting the knowledge to settle down in a new country. Challenges like language differences, dealing with a cold climate, and finding housing and employment can be difficult, so it’s important to get as much information as possible about wherever you choose to move,” he said.
Sergio is now a permanent resident of Alberta and is looking forward to applying for his Canadian citizenship. He believes Alberta is a good choice for newcomers for many reasons. “The economy in Alberta is strong, the people are very friendly, and it is a comfortable place to live and work,” he said. “Lately I have been seeing many people come to Alberta and say it’s the best province to start a new life. I believe it’s about attitude. I consider myself a positive person who likes challenges and strives to reach my goals. If you are willing to work hard, there are so many possibilities for you here.”
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Date Updated: Nov 25, 2009
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