Navigating Being A Scottish Expat In Canada
Hey, It’s Iona, and this is my scotsgirladventures diary.
I am so happy you’re joining me on navigating my life as a Scot in Canada.
I started this blog to document my journey, adventures and life as an expat in Canada, mostly for my mum. Having lived all of my life in Scotland but also having this overwhelming dream to see the world and go on adventures, in 2024 I decided to pack up my life and move abroad.
So why Canada?…
After graduating University my plan was to take some time to travel North America especially Canada. I had always found it such a beautiful country. However, COVID hit and that plan got put on the back burner. With life back to normal I was finding myself revisiting this idea. I had also started travelling more of the US and experiencing things I could only dream of doing and seeing. So, after some research and realizing I could live my dream of travelling whilst living abroad I tied up all my ends in Scotland and off I went to start this new life.
I didn’t do this alone however. I am very lucky that my boyfriend Andrew came with me. We met in 2021 and since then have fallen in love with travelling together. So, when I said ‘Hey, want to move to Canada?’, he was with me 100% of the way.
So, that brings us to now. We are currently based in Toronto, Canada on a working holiday visa. It has been a big change and culture shock for us so far with both highs and lows but doing this adventure has already allowed us to grow so much, both in ourselves and together.
Moving abroad is truly one of the most amazing and liberating ways to explore, go on adventures and experience the world. However, it does not come without it’s low points and struggles either. In saying this, I hope this blog provides you with a little insight into what life as an expat in Canada is like, what you can expect and maybe inspire you to take on an adventure of your own.
The content in this blog will be based around my own real-life experiences. So in saying this, I hope my blog will inspire or help you but also I can’t wait for you to come along on this journey with me.
