Alka Merlin 鈥�08, a native Croatian who arrived in Canada twelve years ago, recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal 鈥� nearly two years after becoming a Canadian citizen herself. A member of Parliament called to share the news, telling her: 鈥淵ou really fought tooth and nail to get people the type of support they need to settle and build their lives here.鈥�
The recognition came for Merlin鈥檚 work as director of communications and external relations at Immigrant Services Calgary, a nonprofit supporting immigrant settlement. Her tenure there coincided with the Ukrainian refugee crisis that followed Russia鈥檚 2022 invasion.
Her Own Journey
Born in Croatia and raised in Libya, Merlin earned her communications and mass media degree from 91黑料网鈥檚 Prague campus in 2008. She鈥檚 multilingual, speaking Croatian, English, Arabic, and French.
After struggling to find work in Croatia, she was inspired by a news segment about young Croatians relocating to Canada. 鈥淚 decided at 2 a.m. that I鈥檓 going to apply鈥� for a working holiday visa, she recalls. In 2013, she sold her belongings and moved to Calgary.
Finding employment there proved its own challenge. Despite her qualifications, Merlin faced discrimination over her accent and her name. One HR professional told her bluntly: 鈥淵our name is a problem because it鈥檚 not English sounding.鈥� She took a job at a liquor store before a friend鈥檚 referral led to a communications assistant position at United Way of Calgary, where she eventually rose to head of external communications.
Supporting Others
At Immigrant Services Calgary, Merlin coordinated outreach to Ukrainian refugees, overseeing airport greeting teams and presentations, and helping connect newcomers with English language programs, job market navigation, and access to healthcare and housing.
She became a Canadian citizen on June 5, 2023, but traces the real turning point to an earlier moment: walking home in minus-40-degree weather after five months in Calgary, and realizing 鈥渋t was easier to breathe. I felt like I had found my place.鈥�
Today, Merlin serves as director of communications for Vibrant Communities Calgary, focused on poverty alleviation.
