When Arjun Pariyar and Samikshya Chinal moved from Nepal to Sudbury, they didn’t expect it to feel so much like home.
Their hometown of Pokhara, Nepal is a beautiful, peaceful city surrounded by mountains and lakes. In many ways, Greater Sudbury reminded them of that familiar landscape.
“Because of these similarities, I always felt a sense of familiarity in Sudbury. It felt almost like my hometown, and I never really felt the challenge of transitioning from Pokhara,” says Samikshya. “This made my early days here much easier, helping me stay grounded and positive.”
What surprised them even more was the growing presence of their fellow Nepalese in the city. When they first arrived, the community was small and scattered.
“I would only come across a few Nepalese people here and there, maybe on the bus or at grocery stores,” says Arjun. “Over the years though, the community has grown a lot, and now there are roughly more than 3,000 Nepalese living in Sudbury. Before I arrived, I did know that some Nepalese families were already here, but I never imagined the community would grow this much.”
Samikshya’s story
Back home, Samikshya studied dental hygiene science at the Kantipur Institute of Health Sciences. After getting her license from the Nepal Health Professional Council, she started working as a registered dental hygienist.
“While working there, I faced challenges when screening children with intellectual disabilities. Sometimes, it was almost impossible to get them to sit on the dental chair, and I felt bad that they were unable to receive proper care,” says Samikshya. “This experience made me want to learn how to make individuals with intellectual disabilities feel safe and comfortable during dental treatments.”
She looked for courses on intellectual disabilities in Nepal, but none were available. Education consultants helped her explore study options abroad and she began researching colleges around the world. She discovered the Developmental Services Worker (DSW) at Cambrian College, and found that it was the best program for her goals.
The first time she applied for the DSW program her study permit was rejected because she hadn’t clearly explained why she wanted to transition away from her career in dental hygiene.
“It was a challenging time, but I never gave up,” she says. “With the support of my family and my husband, who reminded me that I had already taken the first step and there was no turning back, I decided to try again.”
The second time, she explained her motivation clearly and after waiting nine months due to COVID-19 delays, was successful, “It taught me that perseverance really pays off.”
She arrived in Greater Sudbury in March of 2022 and faced financial challenges early on, but she already had a support system in place that was able to help her navigate her way around her new life.
“After I came to Sudbury, I met Bidhya Basnet, a Nepali friend I first knew through social media when I was back home. She has been there for me with support from the very beginning. We started as friends, but now she feels like a sister to me,” says Samikshya.
“Back in Nepal, I used to talk to her to learn more about Sudbury, and when I arrived, she welcomed me into her home for a few days. Bidhya helped me get my Social Insurance Number, open a bank account, and understand the city and local jobs,” she says. “In a city where I didn’t know anyone, she became my ray of hope. I will always be grateful for her support; she played a big part in helping me settle and becoming who I am today.”
Just one month after arriving in Canada, she was able to secure a part-time job in her field at the March of Dimes. Since then, Samikshya has continued working in the same workplace—first as a student, then on a work permit, and now as a Permanent Resident. She and Arjun received their PR in February of 2025; she describes it as a wonderful milestone.
The pair have taken naturally to their new surroundings.
"Life in Sudbury feels very similar to my hometown, so I immediately felt at home here. I enjoy all the seasons because each offers different activities. Some of my favorite things to do are strolling along Ramsey’s Boardwalk in Bell Park with my husband, kayaking and canoeing, learning ice skating, and fat biking with friends,” she says.
“Another thing I love is how convenient life is; everything I need, like the mall, grocery stores, and work, is within about 15 minutes, and the traffic is minimal.
Overall,Sudbury is a beautiful city that allows me to enjoy nature while living comfortably.”
Arjun’s journey
For her husband, Arjun, the initial transition was a little bit harder. He joined Samikshya a few months after she arrived.
“It was my first time leaving Nepal, so I had mixed emotions. I was happy to reunite with my wife, but sad to leave behind my family and a growing career,” says Arjun. “Since my wife had already been in Canada for six months, many things felt easier with her support. Still, living in a new city, thousands of miles from home, knowing only one person and starting everything from scratch was quite challenging.”
As radio and TV host, event emcee, teacher, and education counselor back home, leaving behind the life and identity he had built in Nepal and trying to find a new place for himself in Greater Sudbury was difficult enough. At the same time, his father was dealing with serious health issues, and being far away from him and his family was very hard.
His wife was his biggest support. She helped him take care of the basics, getting his social insurance number, opening a bank account, and getting a bus card. She also showed him around the city, introducing him to important places like the transit terminal, grocery stores, banks, the mall, and even some parks.
“Beyond all that, she stood by me as I looked for work and gave me the mental and emotional encouragement I needed to settle into a completely new environment,” says Arjun.
Like Samikshya, he got his first job in Sudbury about a month after arriving. He started as a Support Services Attendant and Rehabilitation Worker in the Brain Injury department at March of Dimes Canada, the same organization where his wife works.
He is still working there today, and in April 2024 he also had the chance to join CKLU FM as a Radio Jockey.
“Since I had spent 15 years working in the media back in Nepal, getting to continue that passion here in Canada has been very fulfilling. It feels like carrying a piece of home with me while also building a new chapter in this country,” he says.
Arjun hosts a radio show named Beyond the Borders with Arjun on CKLU FM. It highlights the real-life stories of immigrants and people from diverse backgrounds who have worked hard to achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to Greater Sudbury. By sharing these journeys, the show inspires newcomers, helps reduce feelings of isolation, and creates opportunities for networking and community building.
So far, it has featured over 36 interviews, covering personal immigrant experiences, job opportunities, and regular Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant updates on immigration. Its main purpose is to give newcomers hope and direction, reminding them that even in difficult times, it’s possible to overcome challenges and build the life they dream of.
The show airs every Sunday at 7 pm on CKLU FM 96.7 and is also available on YouTube, Spotify, and as a podcast on various social platforms, making it accessible to a wider audience. The show is a joint production between the couple, with Arjun hosting and Samikshya video recording the episodes.
“Radio has always been my passion, and having the chance to inspire and help immigrants like me in a new country makes the show very meaningful and rewarding,” he says.They are currently working on Season 2 and the episodes will be aired on different social media platforms shortly.
He is also planning to develop a podcast studio in Greater Sudbury in the future.
Arjun loves Greater Sudbury’s vibrant communities. During the summer, he and his wife attend cultural programs and festivals organized by different communities. He has even had the chance to host two cultural festivals here, including the Nepalese Dashain Festival and the Indian Food Carnival, which he found very rewarding.
In the winter, the pair enjoy watching hockey games at the Sudbury Arena. Last year they tried ice skating and sledding for the first time. “These activities not only bring us joy, but also help us connect with the local community and experience life in this city to the fullest. They make it feel like home,” says Arjun.
Advice for others
For anyone thinking of making a similar change in their lives and undertaking a big, international move, Samikshya has the following advice: “Stay patient, stay determined, and never let fear of rejection hold you back. Challenges and setbacks are part of the journey, but they often help you grow stronger and wiser. If you can imagine taking that big step, believe in yourself, you can absolutely achieve it.”
Arjun recommends coming prepared with some skills or experience, because having skills makes it much easier to find a job and support yourself.
“It’s also important to do thorough research about the city and the country before you move, so you can understand the culture, lifestyle, and local systems; this helps reduce culture shock,” he says. “Mentally, be ready to face challenges and adjustments, because living in a new country requires patience and resilience.”
He underscores the importance of financial preparation: having some savings can help you manage initial expenses while you settle in. It’s a lesson he learned firsthand, when he faced financial pressures and had limited savings to fall back on.
Arjun warns about the emotional toll family separation and emergencies can take. He lost his father, sadly, in June of 2024 and could only take one month off work to go back home. High travel costs also make visiting home difficult. Being mentally, emotionally, and financially prepared is critical. “Plan five times more than expected,” he advises.
He also suggests trying to connect with local communities or people from your home country, as they can provide guidance, support, and a sense of belonging while you adapt to life (including a new work culture and environment) in a new place.
The happy couple looks ahead
“I would like to acknowledge my husband, without whom this journey would have been much harder. He has been my rock, my biggest supporter, and my best Friend,” says Samikshya. “I am incredibly grateful for his constant presence and encouragement throughout this journey.”
“Coming to Sudbury as a newcomer wasn’t easy, but this city has made it feel like home. Receiving permanent residency was a milestone I’ll never forget. The warmth of the community, the support we’ve found here, and the opportunities to grow have made our journey meaningful,” she says.
Despite the challenges they’ve faced, the couple feels deeply connected to the city; they have traveled across Canada but always look forward to returning. They want to continue contributing to the community and changing the narrative around immigrants, from being seen as burdens to being recognized as assets.
“Thank you, Sudbury, for being a place where dreams can take root and hope feels real,” says Samikshya.
Arjun adds, “Thank you, Sudbury, for being a place where newcomers like us can build a life, follow our dreams, and create lasting memories.”
Greater Sudbury is a city that celebrates diversity, multiculturalism, and mutual respect for all of our citizens. The Sudbury Local Immigration Partnership fosters an inclusive, engaging and collaborative environment with local stakeholders to identify issues, share solutions, build capacity, and preserve collective memory for the purpose of ensuring the attraction, settlement, inclusion, and retention of newcomers in Greater Sudbury.
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