Finding her way: Iraida’s journey to confidence in Canada

When Iraida arrived in Canada from Cuba earlier this year, she knew that learning English would be essential to starting her new life. Eager to improve her language skills and adapt to her surroundings, she joined ISANS as a student during the summer session. From the very beginning, Iraida showed herself to be motivated, diligent, and determined to succeed.

“I wanted to feel more confident speaking English,” she says. “I knew that if I could communicate better, I could find work and take care of everything I need on my own.”

That summer, her CLB3 class focused on a practical theme: Getting Around the City. Students learned everyday tasks such as asking questions on the bus, following directions, and using Google Maps. For many, these lessons were more than just classroom activities they were real tools for adjusting to daily life in Halifax.

“Our teacher made learning fun and useful,” Iraida recalls. “We talked about real situations that happen every day, like how to get to work or how to find the right bus.”

By the end of the course, students felt more comfortable and confident using public transportation as a key step toward independence.

Not long after, Iraida put her new skills into practice. On her way to her job at a downtown hotel, she was riding the bus when the driver announced that the route would be changing because of construction. He explained that passengers travelling to Spring Garden needed to get off immediately and continue on foot.

For many newcomers, such an unexpected announcement could feel overwhelming. But Iraida understood every word. She confidently left the bus at the right stop and walked ten minutes to her workplace.

“I understood every word the bus driver said,” she says with a smile. “It was such a small moment, but it made me feel so proud. It showed me that I can do this.”

Without her improved listening skills, she might have missed the instructions, stayed on the bus, and ended up lost or late for work.

This experience was more than just a successful bus ride it was a milestone in Iraida’s settlement journey. It showed her that learning in the classroom directly supports her independence in the community.

“It wasn’t only about learning English,” she reflects. “It was about feeling strong, confident, and ready for my new life here.”

At ISANS, we celebrate stories like Iraida’s because they demonstrate how language learning opens doors. With each new skill, students gain the ability to participate more fully in Canadian life whether that means finding work, supporting their families, or, like Iraida, simply getting where they need to go on time.

For Iraida, that summer lesson became a turning point. It reminded her that every word learned, every phrase practiced, and every step taken is part of building a strong, confident future in Nova Scotia.