When Amardeep Sharma speaks, enthusiasm about his new life in Canada is palpable. Living in Nova Scotia only since December 2016, he has already found a rewarding job as a human resources project coordinator at Delta Halifax hotel.
Amardeep came here from Delhi, India, with his wife, Prajjalita, and their 3-year-old son, Kaven. He was enrolled in ISANS’ Settlement Online Pre-Arrival services allowing him to take courses and get ready for life in Nova Scotia before he left home. He also connected with Greater Halifax Partnership to learn about the city. Once here, Amardeep met with an employment specialist at ISANS who referred him to jobs in his area of expertise. “She helped me with my resume, connected me with a mentor, helped me project myself. It was so good working with her.”
Amardeep has a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology, and had mostly worked with electrical companies. “I was looking for good international exposure and opportunities,” he says. He visited his younger brother in Saskatchewan in 2015 and found Canada appealing. “When I saw that my brother was fully settled, I saw that I could do that.” He took his human resources exams there and learned that Nova Scotia had positions available. “I was motivated to stay in Canada. I like the people.”
Amardeep returned to India and applied through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. Making connections was slower than anticipated because he arrived near Christmas, but he found work for a month with Feed Nova Scotia as a process administrator. He started his current job soon after.
Prajjalita, a teacher in India, has a BA and MA in Education and a PhD in Sanskrit, but will likely work in childcare. She is taking communication skills workshops at ISANS.
“I was motivated to stay in Canada. I like the people.”
Amardeep says Halifax suits them. “In India it’s a rat race for everything. Here I have more time for my family and to relax.” Having played badminton and table tennis competitively in India, he was thrilled to enroll in the Badminton Society of Nova Scotia. And while they do miss family, they have made friends through the Indian temple. An added bonus is that his son Kaven, who suffered from allergies in India, is healthier here.
Amardeep and his family are committed to Nova Scotia. “I like the people and the culture, not a negative point I can think of. I am getting more than expected.” He has already joined Fusion, an organization for young professionals, and has volunteered with a breast cancer organization.
“Wherever I am I make myself fully engrossed in the place. Once you settle somewhere, you need to learn the culture inside and out.”