When leaving everything behind to start over elsewhere becomes an act of hope and joy for your loved ones—that’s the beginning of Serges Nzie Ngoua and his partner Caroline Kengne Deboua Epse Nzie’s story. Originally from Cameroon, the couple set foot in Canada for the first time on May 3, 2024, to build a new life for their young family. They arrived as scouts, taking time to find their bearings and lay the groundwork for a welcoming home before bringing their children. Their journey led them to Trois-Rivières, not far from the Laviolette Bridge, where they’ve been weaving together new connections and learning the ways of their new home.
Dreaming bigger for their children
Serges is the second youngest of seven children, but he is the first to have flown to Canada. He feels he has big shoes to fill: “You are the hope of the family; you have this dual responsibility to go and grow. ” Before setting their sights on Trois-Rivières, Serges and Caroline were looking for a better quality of life for their family, but even more so, security for the future of their three children, soon to be four! In search of professional opportunities and a place where people are valued for who they are, the idea of moving to Canada slowly took shape. Far from being a snap decision, it took three years for the decision to take shape in their minds. The couple would leave without their children, who would be left in the care of extended family, so that they could welcome them to familiar surroundings. The Laviolette Bridge, which Serges had long contemplated, would become a beacon of sorts, guiding them on their new adventure.
Relationships: The key to integration
Serges and Caroline’s immigration process was marked by the kindness of several people. During their period of reflection, they met one of them in a Facebook group, Sylvie Desmet, a psychologist based in Trois-Rivières. Through their exchanges, they were able to gather relevant information to guide their decisions, including what it’s like for newcomers, the lifestyles in different cities of interest, and more. It was within this same online community that they heard the extraordinary stories of people who had settled in Canada and whose lives had undergone a complete transformation for the better. Serges and Caroline decided to land in Montreal on May 3 and stay with a kind host family for three weeks. In addition to a place to stay, the family offered a helping hand to facilitate their integration by accompanying them through a few essential steps: buying a bus pass, taking the subway, opening a bank account, and purchasing a phone. These three weeks allowed them to get settled and decide where the couple would put down roots. The search for a balance between modern life and peace and quiet, the cost of living, access to essential resources like housing and jobs, and Serges’ long-standing affection for Trois-Rivières were the final deciding factors that led them to settle there. With the help of the INICI organization in Montreal, Jacynthe, who is responsible for the regionalization project in Mauricie, and their new friend Sylvie Desmet, Serges and Caroline will settle in Trois-Rivières to unpack their belongings.
Perseverance in finding a job
They spent the first four days applying for jobs online and physically submitting their resumes. Caroline landed the first job at Sketchers in the Les Rivières shopping center. The second step: finding a place to live! Another slight learning curve awaited them. Unlike in Cameroon, where it is possible to find a house at any time of the year, the vast majority of leases in Quebec are renewed on July 1 each year. In the middle of May, it was therefore quite a challenge to find a place where Serges’ family could settle down for good. They found a furnished apartment on Laviolette Street in the city center that will be their temporary home until July. To get through this transition period, Serges and his wife received assistance from organizations to meet their food needs, as well as help from Jacynthe in continuing Serges’ job search.
Finding a job was one of the biggest challenges for Serges. After fine-tuning his resume and his approach to applying for jobs in person, he landed his first job after a month of actively searching. He worked for two other employers before finally finding his place in the workplace. Caroline found a new job in her field at Desjardins a few months later, providing the job security the couple, who recently welcomed their fourth child, had been looking for and allowing her to continue her career in finance.
Far from her family and culture
Every period of major change inevitably comes with a bit of chaos! Serges and Caroline faced a few challenges before settling down in the Mauricie region. The first major challenge was overcoming the sadness of leaving, as well as the nostalgia for their country, family, friends, and all their cherished memories. Fear of the unknown was also part of the mix of emotions they had to deal with. Another separation, temporary but just as heartbreaking, was from their children while they prepared the ground. The children stayed with Caroline’s younger sister, who had been living with them for three years. Her reassuring presence helped keep the family together despite the distance. However, there were several difficult phone calls during the process to comfort the children and compensate for the miles that separated them. Beyond the challenges of setting up a new life (housing, food, and work), Serges also encountered some challenges in terms of social norms and interpersonal dynamics. The Quebec accent requires newcomers to be constantly alert and attentive. Serges also had to adapt to nonverbal cues and social codes that contrasted with the very social and community-oriented environment in which he grew up. The more polite than frank exchanges also confronted Serges, particularly in the professional environment. Openness and observation were his greatest allies.
Go for it, with good people around you!
Today, with his family reunited in Canada and a little future Canadian on the way, Serges looks back on his journey with gratitude. He believes that courage and determination are essential to success. He also advises people to prepare thoroughly, conduct thorough research, and prioritize building relationships. He thinks it is vital to build relationships of trust with key people and to get in touch with organizations that can help families settle in. It is also important to put aside any hesitations, preconceptions, or fears and not be afraid to ask questions. Serges is one of those people who believe that human relationships are the greatest wealth, and this has never been truer than in this great adventure! Congratulations to Serges and Caroline, who, at the time of writing, have welcomed their baby girl, who was due in early April!
Thank you for sharing your story with us!
