Meet Tatiana: a newcomer to Canada, coming from the sunny city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After a life full of moves and adventures, Tatiana has finally found her home in Oakville, Ontario. Her journey to Canada was filled with challenges. But one app, Canoo, has made her transition to this new life easier. Canoo connects her with places to go and things to do that are rooted in the Canadian experience. While not breaking the bank!

Connected to Canada

Tatiana first came to Canada as a child, living here for several years before returning to Brazil at the age of 9. “Living my childhood years here were very meaningful to me,” she recalls. These early years spent in Montreal and Saskatoon built such strong roots that she felt called back to Canada. Tatiana returned to Canada in 2010 to pursue a master’s degree at UBC in Vancouver.

Following her education, she moved to Europe. Ultimately returning with her family in January 2023. Canada always felt like home. “I have always felt that Canada was my home,” she says.

Finding Canoo

“Immigrating is a challenge. Hard work and persistence is the key.”
– Tatiana

One key that lifted spirits was Canoo! Tatiana learned about Canoo from a friend during her permanent residency application process. The app quickly became a significant part of her family’s new life. “Canoo, to us, was a very warm welcome back to Canada,” Tatiana explains. It helped her family form connections with their new city and made them feel happier and more integrated.

Tatiana and her family at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario.

The Impact of Canoo

Using Canoo, Tatiana and her family had a blast exploring Toronto. Canoo even gave them access to provincial parks, where they enjoyed local events like Bronte Creek’s harvest and maple syrup festivals.

Canoo played a crucial role in enhancing Tatiana’s sense of belonging.

“Moving anywhere new is always challenging and having Canoo was like having an open door that connected us to our city and community.”
– Tatiana

The app encouraged her family to explore museums they might have missed and discover new places and activities, making their first year in Oakville memorable.

Tatiana’s Advice for Newcomers

Canoo’s access to attractions and concerts for free is an incredible gift that helps alleviate the financial burden of moving to a new place. Her broader advice to newcomers is to embrace their new home.

“Use every opportunity to explore your city and province.”
– Tatiana

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Tatiana is excited to explore more of Canada’s natural beauty through Canoo. “We plan on exploring more of the provincial and national parks and we’re planning a trip to visit Ottawa and Montreal,” she says. Her long-term goal is to become a Canadian citizen and one day own a home here.

Always Moving Forward

Tatiana’s roots in Rio de Janeiro shine through her warm and welcoming personality. “People from Rio are called ‘cariocas’ and we tend to be very warm, welcoming, and kind-hearted,” she explains. This vibrant energy, love for life, and a strong sense of community are traits that Tatiana acts on every day.

As Tatiana continues her Canadian journey, she feels more connected and at home with each passing day. Thanks to Canoo, she and her family have discovered so many wonderful places and made countless memories. With a heart full of gratitude and excitement, Tatiana looks forward to many more adventures and experiences in her new home. For her, the journey has just begun, and with Canoo by her side, the possibilities are endless.