Landing in Toronto on Express Entry: A Colombian Engineer’s First Year

By Daniela | June 19, 2025

When I walked out of Pearson Airport with two suitcases and a PDF titled “Confirmation of Permanent Residence,” I thought the hard part was over. It turns out the paperwork was just one chapter. The real story has been learning to thrive here—figuring out how to dress for minus a lot, where to meet people who understand my jokes in Spanish, and how to navigate standups and small talk in the Toronto tech world. Today, writing this on a warm June evening with the windows open, I feel the city buzzing—patios full, Pride flags everywhere, my winter coat finally tucked in the closet—and I want to share what got me here and what I wish I’d known.

The Express Entry Marathon (Not a Sprint)

I came as a Federal Skilled Worker through Express Entry, and even though everyone calls it “streamlined,” it’s still a marathon.

I started by gathering documents before I even opened my profile. My degree from Bogotá needed an Educational Credential Assessment (I used WES). I prepped hard for the IELTS General—mornings before work with practice tests and strong tinto—because every point mattered. I kept my proof-of-funds in a stable account and got ahead on police certificates, which can be slow.

When my CRS score was finally competitive, I submitted my profile. The waiting felt like purgatory—I refreshed my email like it was a hobby. The Invitation to Apply (ITA) arrived on a random Tuesday in my inbox, and I cried in my apartment. I submitted my e-APR with the usual suspects: medical exam results, biometrics, police checks, letters of reference, proof of funds. From opening my profile to holding my COPR took just under nine months.

Landing was surreal. The border officer stamped my COPR, welcomed me, and that was that. I wasn’t a visitor or a student—I had the right to build a life here. In the first week, I got my SIN at Service Canada, opened a bank account with a newcomer program, and bought a pay-as-you-go SIM to avoid long-term plans at first.

Healthcare was a learning curve. I applied for OHIP right away; there was a waiting period, so I bought private insurance for the first months. Finding a family doctor took time, and I learned that dental and prescriptions aren’t covered by provincial healthcare—my job benefits later filled that gap.

Finding a Place to Sleep (and the Rest of My Life)

I booked a three-week Airbnb in The Annex to give myself a soft landing. Toronto is fast and expensive, and rental listings disappear quickly. I viewed apartments from Parkdale to North York, learned to bring a printed “tenant resume” (credit report, references, employment letter), and budgeted for a hefty deposit. My first home was a shared place in Parkdale—$1,100 for a bright room with creaky floors and a roommate who introduced me to poutine at 2 a.m. Eventually, I moved into a one-bedroom near St. Clair West for a little over $2,400. Pricey, yes, but I picked a building near a streetcar line, a grocery store, and a park—quality of life matters.

Groceries usually cost me $90–$120 a week. I learned the rhythm: No Frills for basics, St. Lawrence Market for a treat, Perola’s in Kensington Market for Latin staples (arepa flour and good hot sauce), and farmers’ markets in summer for strawberries that actually taste like the sun.

Cracking Toronto Tech

I imagined the job would be the easy part. It wasn’t. I came with a solid resume from Colombia, but I still had to translate it to “Canadian style” and build local references.

I lived on LinkedIn and Slack groups, signed up for TechTO events, and spent Tuesday evenings at meetups near MaRS and along King West. Every coffee chat helped. People here genuinely do “coffee chats”—small, no-pressure conversations that sometimes lead to referrals, sometimes just encouragement.

After two months of interviews (multiple rounds, a live coding task that made me sweat, and a system design discussion), I got an offer from a fintech near King and Spadina, hybrid three days a week. The salary was enough to live decently, but budgeting remains real—especially if you like good coffee and live music as much as I do.

Canadian work culture felt both familiar and foreign. The pace is focused but not frantic. Meetings start and end on time. People apologize a lot—sometimes even when you bump into them. Feedback is delivered gently: “Have you considered…” is often the first hint that something needs fixing. My team’s standup is at 9:30, we respect heads-down time, and 1:1s matter. The biggest tip I got: speak up, but leave space for others. Collaborate, don’t bulldoze. And say “thanks” in Slack more than you think you need to.

Surviving Winter (and Finding Joy in It)

My first snowfall felt magical. My first slushy commute felt… less magical. I learned about layers: thermal base, sweater, real coat. Waterproof boots are worth the price. Salt destroys everything, including your dignity when you slip on black ice. The wind off the lake can be mean, and the early darkness hit my mood hard. I bought a daylight lamp and leaned into routines—gym classes, a Sunday pot of sancocho, long calls with my parents.

But winter also gave me new rituals. I tried skating at Nathan Phillips Square and clung to the boards like a toddler. I went to a small house party where we debated the best hot chocolate in the city. I took a day trip to see frozen waterfalls near Hamilton, which looked like a movie. New friends, old recipes, and small adventures got me through.

Finding My People

Toronto can feel anonymous until it doesn’t. The turning point was saying yes to invitations, even when I was tired. A colleague invited me to a board game night, and I met a group of Latin American engineers, designers, and marketers who became my core circle. We share job leads and empanada recipes in the same breath.

I found community at Lula Lounge on Dundas West, dancing salsa on a Friday and laughing at how rusty my turns had become. I joined LatAm Startups events to hear founders talk about raising money with an accent like mine. I played weekend soccer at Trinity Bellwoods. I discovered a Spanish conversational group that meets at a café on College Street. In Kensington, a shop owner slipped me a free arequipe when she heard my accent, “para que te acuerdes de casa.”

Day-to-Day: The Rhythm of a New Life

I commute with a Presto card—streetcar to the office, subway to meet friends, the occasional GO train to visit a cousin in Mississauga. In winter, I did not love waiting for streetcars in the wind. In summer, I walk or bike along Bloor’s bike lanes and feel like I’m flying.

Food is a big part of my week. I meal prep arepas on Sundays, brew Colombian coffee in the mornings, and explore new cuisines—Ethiopian on the Danforth, Vietnamese pho in the west end, and tacos that taste almost like home.

For fun: Blue Jays games with the roof open, movies at TIFF Bell Lightbox, and wandering High Park in May when the cherry blossoms flutter down like confetti. Right now, June is my favorite: Pride events all month, Taste of Little Italy last weekend, patios humming until almost 9 p.m. Next week we’re planning a picnic on the Toronto Islands—sunset views of the skyline, guacamole, and a portable speaker with a salsa playlist. Summer here stretches the day like gift wrap; after months of early nightfall, it feels like a celebration just to be outside.

Money Stuff Nobody Glamourizes

Budgeting saved me. I set aside a winter fund for proper gear (coat, boots, gloves—about what a weekend trip costs, but you’ll wear them daily for months). I track transit, utilities, and grocery spending; it’s not sexy, but the peace of mind is. Filing taxes my first spring was intimidating; a friend pointed me to a free newcomer tax clinic, and it made all the difference. Build credit early with a secured card if you need to. And ask about benefits when you negotiate—dental and vision add up.

What I Wish I’d Known

• Start Express Entry paperwork early, especially police certificates and the educational assessment. Keep digital copies of everything organized in one folder.
• Study strategically for IELTS or CELPIP; language points can make or break your profile.
• Budget for at least three months of living expenses after arrival. Rent, deposits, and setup costs move fast.
• Consider a short-term rental first to understand neighborhoods. Visit at different times of day before committing.
• Get private health insurance to cover the gap before your provincial coverage kicks in. Book a dental check-up once you have benefits.
• Join communities on day one. Tech meetups, immigrant support groups, and hobby clubs turn a city into a home.
• Winter is manageable with the right gear and habits. Light therapy, routines, and planned fun help.
• At work, communicate clearly, follow through, and be kind. It’s cliché because it’s true.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

A year ago, I was refreshing my inbox and dreaming up a life I couldn’t quite picture. Today, I’m writing from a small apartment filled with plants, a stack of library books, and a view of a street where kids play soccer as the sun lingers. I have coworkers who trust me, friends who dance with me, and a city that still surprises me—in a good way—most days.

The path here wasn’t linear. I had nights when I cried from loneliness, days when the snow felt personal, and moments at work when I doubted my English or my expertise. But I also had small victories that added up: a passing IELTS score, a first apartment lease, a steady paycheck, a neighborhood barista who knows my order, a community that feels like family.

If you’re a South American professional considering Express Entry, know this: it’s doable. It takes patience, organization, and a willingness to start again without erasing who you already are. Bring your skills, your recipes, your dance moves, your curiosity. Canada will ask you to adapt, but it will also meet you halfway.

With hope for your journey,