Starting fresh: TMU alumna builds a new life and career abroad

Kirstyn DeVries’ journey has taken her from the Niagara region to Toronto, Sydney, Australia, and now London, U.K., where she has successfully built a life and career abroad. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in 2011, DeVries has continuously sought new experiences and professional challenges in different corners of the world. She first moved overseas in 2017, leveraging personal connections to transition to a new career in real estate sales in Australia. Three years later, she relocated to the U.K., where she has been working as a strategic consultant and sales program manager at Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) since January 2020. Most recently, she founded a startup, ArtSnack (external link, opens in new window) , an art experience agency which matches business workspaces to artists and art.

In this Q&A, DeVries shares the benefits of moving abroad, lessons she’s learned along the way and the valuable role her education at TMU has played in her diverse career. Plus, she offers advice for others considering starting fresh in a new country.

How has living abroad influenced your career or personal growth?

Living abroad has exposed me to different cultures, ways of working, operational procedures, navigating work-life balance, and has ultimately grown my “super power” as a global connector of people and ideas. Had I not moved countries and joined the consulting team in the U.K., of which I’m still a team member, I would not have been given the chance to take on leadership of our corporate department charity committee and, together with colleagues, raise approximately £50,000 in 2023 for a local cancer charity. This charity opportunity also led to me training for and running in the 2023 London Marathon to raise funds. I’ve continued my long distance running passion as well, with goals to beat some personal bests in 2025.

How did your education at TMU help prepare you for working in a new country and industry?  

The technical skills, especially in those of creative areas like costume, lighting and carpentry, have always left me inspired and motivated to apply creativity to my current work. As a newly launched startup founder of ArtSnack, I often come back to concepts taken from my BFA. The adaptability learned in the collaborative theatre and dance productions at TMU taught me about people, what drives them – and this is priceless. The long-term connections to professors, staff and fellow students has most positively impacted me in career transitions.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting over in a new country? 

Starting out in a new country often involves logistical challenges like visas, tax file numbers, bank accounts and housing. I tapped friends and professional connections abroad for advice. The first six months typically combine exploration and novelty, and dare I say it, occasional loneliness. However, I addressed this by joining volunteer opportunities and gym classes in Australia. In London, I’ve built meaningful connections through local run clubs and entrepreneurship groups.

Professionally, I’ve thrived by bringing diverse operational, logistical and creative skills to teams in Australia and the U.K. Gaining insight into international markets and work styles has been invaluable.

What advice would you give to someone considering moving abroad to start fresh?

The first thing to say is — you can do it with limited resources! If you wait until you’ve planned enough, saved enough or met the right people, you ultimately take the risk of getting stuck where you are. Find one or two people who live in that city or who have worked in that market that you can take for a virtual coffee, and ask them about their experience. Give yourself the chance to explore different parts of that city or country before moving there. My suggestion is when you first arrive to do some short term rentals to experience living in different neighbourhoods. Lastly, tap your network in your local city in Canada, or your TMU network, and ask them directly about connections and opportunities they might know about in these new places. You will be surprised!