Actuality¹⁵⁶

We talk about immigrants, expatriates, work permits, permanent residence, citizenship, integration... All these terms become, almost overnight, a new normal in the lives of those who embark on a migratory journey. There are many definitions and different paths: people may arrive to study, work, join their families, or start a new life alone or with others.

But one thing connects all these stories: the unknown.

A world we don't yet know. A world that can fill us with wonder... but also fear. We have to create new reference points, understand new rules, adapt to new realities. And that's not always easy. And then, we mustn't forget: immigration is an exhausting process in itself.

We leave behind our family, friends, habits, sometimes even our language and part of our identity. You have to rebuild everything: a home, a network, a future. It can be an emotionally, psychologically, and physically exhausting journey. Of course, there are hundreds of resources available to help newcomers find a job, learn English, access healthcare, understand their rights, and integrate into society. But these resources are scattered. You search, you compare, you contact, you start over...

But how can you conduct this research when you don't yet know the right terms, the right organizations, or the right programs? How do you know where to go, who to talk to, where to start? That's where the Express Guide comes in, helping you shine even in unfamiliar territory. Created by the Tera Ora Foundation and written by its executive director, Ami N'Diaye, this guide was originally designed for women—particularly women and people of African descent—to support them in their integration and development.

But it quickly became a universal tool: today, it is aimed at all newcomers, regardless of sex, gender, origin, or background. When we wrote it, our intention was simple: to reassure. To ease anxiety. To ease confusion. To lighten the mental load of people who already have so much to carry. We wanted to create a tool that simplifies what can be simplified, so that everyone can save their energy for what matters most: rebuilding their lives.

This guide is much more than a list of information:

• It brings together more than 80 essential resources: employment, education, health, housing, finances, French language learning, rights, mobility, and much more.
• It offers integrated to-do lists to help you organize each step without getting lost.
  
• It provides blank pages for you to jot down your thoughts, express your feelings, and write down your goals.
• It contains positive affirmations to boost your confidence and restore your hope.
• What's more, its colorful, lively, and inspiring format is designed to motivate and encourage you to move forward, even when the path seems unclear.

The Express Guide (in french) is a companion for your journey. A tool designed to simplify, calm, and support. Because with the right tools, the impossible becomes possible and tangible. And suddenly, the horizon seems much less cloudy... and the mind, much lighter.