Community profile: Liya

We’re excited to introduce you to Liya, one of our ESL students at MOSAIC Engage!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi, I'm Liya from Korea! I came to Vancouver on a working holiday to improve my English, meet new people, and gain diverse experiences. Most importantly, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and discover who I truly am.

How do you spend your free time in Vancouver?

When the weather is nice, I love enjoying Vancouver’s nature. I usually go to quiet, uncrowded lakes or beaches to have a picnic or just lay out a mat and relax in the sun. Lately, I’ve been learning tennis from a coworker, so I practice whenever I can, and I also love bowling and playing board games with friends!

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced moving to Canada?

Adapting to a new culture and language environment was definitely my biggest challenge. Leaving my familiar life in Korea behind, adjusting to a new lifestyle, and communicating in English every day took some time. Although I'm still not quite there yet, I feel like I'm gradually finding my footing thanks to the help of people around me and what I'm learning at the Mosaic academy!

What place would you recommend to someone visiting Canada for the first time?

I highly recommend visiting the beautiful beaches and lakes where you can really feel Vancouver’s relaxed vibe! Beyond the famous tourist spots, I suggest laying out a mat at a quiet, peaceful beach or park to fully soak in the natural surroundings. Also, if you like casual shopping, exploring the vintage thrift stores hidden around different neighborhoods to hunt for unique treasures will be a super fun experience, too!