Today’s episode is going to be a little different, a little bittersweet, and, hopefully, very exciting. It’s been three years since I arrived in Canada, and I want to take a moment to reflect on this journey with you.

When I first came to Canada, I felt like a stranger in every way. I had zero English skills when I started college here, and I was completely overwhelmed by how talented and capable my classmates were. Competing with them? That felt impossible.

Somehow, I managed to graduate, but then came the next challenge: finding a job. I applied to 163 companies during my first year here. Can you imagine? 163. Even then, I got laid off twice because my communication skills weren’t enough. There were moments when I thought about going back to Japan, but I couldn’t let myself leave without achieving something.

So, I stayed. I extended my visa and pushed forward. In my second year, I finally landed my current job as an administrative assistant—but not before applying to a total of 630 jobs in those two years. To make ends meet, I kept my restaurant job while trying to survive the ups and downs.

Even with all that effort, I felt like I hadn’t accomplished enough—nothing I could confidently bring back to Japan as a success story. That’s when I decided to aim for permanent residency. I knew I needed more time, not just to build a life but to convince myself that I belong here.

This year, my third in Canada, feels like the real beginning of my life here. With a two-year work permit, I finally feel like I have stability. For the first time, I’m not just surviving—I’m starting to build something meaningful. It feels like I’m standing at the starting line of a race I’m ready to run.

And that brings me to this podcast. This has been such an important space for me, a way to share my thoughts and grow my English skills. Since August 8, 2022—almost two and a half years—I’ve been creating episodes for this small but dedicated audience. I’m so grateful to each of you who has listened, supported, and shared this journey with me.

But today, I have an announcement: I’ve decided it’s time to close this chapter. This podcast has been amazing, but as I begin a new phase in my life, I want to start something fresh.

Starting in January, I’ll launch a new video podcast. It’ll be in English only—no scripts, no Japanese versions. This will be a big step for me, a way to push myself even further into the world, no excuses. It’s a little scary, but it feels like the right move.

So, this might be the second-to-last episode for this channel. I’ll release one final episode to wrap things up before transitioning to the new project. I hope you’ll follow me there and be part of this exciting new journey.

Thank you so much for being part of this podcast since the beginning. It’s been a transformative experience, and I’m so glad I’ve had this chance to connect with you all. Let’s step forward together into the next adventure.