When Artemii arrived in Canada on the special CUAET visa for Ukrainians, he brought with him a wealth of experience as a researcher and museum archivist. However, settling into life in Calgary wasn’t easy. Despite his qualifications and strong English, finding work in his field proved challenging.
That’s when Artemii connected with the Ukrainian Rural Alberta Relocation Program (URAAP) at CCIS. The team saw his potential right away and worked towards finding an opportunity that matched his skills. After some searching, they discovered a rural museum that needed a curator. It was a perfect fit for Artemii’s expertise—but there was one hurdle: Artemii didn’t drive, and the employer was initially concerned about how he’d manage in a rural setting.
The URAAP team stepped in, advocating for Artemii and highlighting his passion for history and curation. Their persistence paid off when the employer agreed to interview him. During the interview, Artemii’s enthusiasm, deep knowledge, and fresh ideas quickly won them over.
His employer enthusiastically stated: “Although he was interviewed for the Curator position, we felt Artemii was a better fit for the Tourism & Social Media position after hearing his great ideas to expand our social media content.”
Today, Artemii is thriving in his new role. He helps with museum curation, manages the museum’s social media, and is training in artifact accessioning and the Canadian artifact archival program. Both Artemii and the museum couldn’t be happier with the partnership.
“My work is going wonderful. It’s what I love to do.” says Artemii.
Artemii’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence, advocacy, and the incredible value that newcomers bring to their communities. Thanks to the URAAP program, what began as a challenging search has transformed into a fulfilling new chapter for both Artemii and his rural community.
Learn more about the Ukrainian Rural Alberta Attraction Program and how you can access the service, by visiting:https://ccisab.ca/ukrainian-rural-alberta-attraction-program/
URAAP is a collaboration between CCIS and the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA).
