Connect with Canadian Expats Abroad

What It’s Like to Be a Canadian Expat Abroad 

A report published through the Canadians Abroad Project put the number of Canadians living abroad at around 2.8 million. Many choose to swap out their loonies and toonies for US dollars, with the States being the most popular choice for Canadian expats. Others, however, choose lives far away from their continental friends, often relocating to destinations across Europe and Asia. A move as big as this is something many people will have thought, or even dreamed, about in their lifetime. But what does taking such a big step really feel like?

One thing is for certain, and that is that there is no one way to feel. Your first few months in a new city are likely to be an exciting experience, but pangs of homesickness are also to be expected. From getting accustomed to people not saying “sorry” quite as much as they did back home, to finding new favorite ski resorts and coffee shops, there are many things that may take some time to adjust to in a new place. In these instances, being surrounded by people who remind you of home can provide a great deal of comfort.

How to Meet Other Canadian Expats

Starting out on your adventure in a new country can be made a whole lot less scary if you are able to rely on a network of people going through the same thing. That’s why getting to know fellow Canadian expats is so important when you move abroad. Established in 2007, InterNations is the largest expat network with over 4 million members. It’s a trusted community offering a range of experiences that bring global minds together, and Canadians are one of the largest nationalities!

Attending InterNations events is a great way to connect with fellow Canadians abroad. Whatever interests or hobbies you may have brought with you from home, there will almost certainly be an opportunity for you to develop them further as part of the InterNations community, and make new friends as you do so! We have a huge range of online and in person events on offer, perfect for learning more about the culture and history of your new city or getting tips on expat life there.

A Few Facts about Canadian Expats

InterNations conducts an annual survey of expats worldwide called Expat Insider, looking at questions like why they moved abroad, how long they plan to stay, and how happy they are.

Here’s what Canadian expats shared about their experiences:

• Factors linked to employment were the most common incentives for Canadians to move abroad, with those linked to love coming in second place.

• 70% of Canadians feel at home in their destination, compared to the global average of 67%.

• 63% of Canadians are happy with their social lives in their destination, compared to the global average of 59%.

• 68% of Canadian expats say that they never feel unwelcome because of a lack of local language skills in their destination, compared to a global average of 63%.