Community Profile: Anna
Anna is currently in one of our Advanced level classes and is also a regular participant in our weekly conversation group! Thank you for sharing you community profile, Anna, and for always greeting us with your warm and friendly smile! 😊
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Anna, and I moved to Canada with my husband and two children. I recently graduated from a university in downtown Vancouver and now I am improving my English at MOSAIC Engage English Classes.
I come from a small and cozy town in the middle of Russia, near the Volga River. It’s a great place to enjoy nature. People can enjoy skiing and sledding in winter, and in summer, they swim in the river and go fishing.
How do you spend your free time in Vancouver?
I love spending time with my family, exploring Vancouver’s beautiful nature. We have visited amazing places like Whistler, Harrison Hot Springs, and Bridal Falls. It was so wonderful! I also enjoy walking in the parks and discovering new places.
I have good friends in Vancouver. My closest friend is from China. We met at university, and I was happy to attend her wedding here. In my free time, I watch English movies and try to practice speaking as much as possible to improve my fluency.
What are some challenges you’ve faced with moving to Canada?
Moving to a new country is always difficult. The hardest part for me was reaching the required English level to get a Work Permit. It took a lot of effort, but I studied hard, and with MOSAIC’s help, I achieved my goal. I am very proud of this!
Another challenge was adapting to a new culture and lifestyle. But Vancouver is a very welcoming and diverse city, so this helped me feel more comfortable.
Which place would you recommend to someone visiting your country?
If you visit Russia, I recommend Saint Petersburg and Sochi. I have been to Saint Petersburg only once, but it was unforgettable! The city has beautiful architecture, history, and famous places like the Hermitage Museum, Peterhof Palace, and lovely canals.
I also lived in Sochi for 10 years before moving to Vancouver. Sochi is special because it has both the sea and the mountains. It hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, and there are many things to do, such as hiking, skiing, and swimming. It’s a great place for people who love nature and adventure!
What are you hoping to achieve during your time at MOSAIC?
My main goal at MOSAIC is to improve my speaking and listening skills. So, I can feel more confident in daily life and work.
Before, I took CELPIP preparation courses with Reza, and now I am in the Advanced class with Jordi. The teachers at MOSAIC are amazing, and I really appreciate their help!
Learning English will help me integrate into Canadian society, find good job opportunities, and support my family. I am very grateful to MOSAIC for helping me reach my goals.
