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Originally posted by febpreet

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Originally posted by adamthorat

Why are you coming to Canada so soon ?

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Canada has that 'it' factor, regardless of the struggles. I told my cousin exactly that, before he wanted to immigrate with his whole family. In order to impress upon the family, friends, and relatives back home they all landed (couple and kids) altogether. They are not doing good professionally and working in stores for the past 1 year.

To make matters worse, his brother in law is getting married next year in January and now they have to spend close to $12k visiting back home while still struggling to make ends meet here. Whatever they have earned in 2 years will be gone in showing off their 'Canadian returned' tag to their families.

So, I simply stopped advising people. now. Do whatever your heart says. Come, land up, and see with your own eyes. At the end of it people do whatever they have to. However, it's good that they are getting good picture before they land. At least they are prepared in advance, which was even hard before the Internet era.

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Few tips from me

1. If you've really made up your mind to come here, ignore the people who claim to "expose the grim reality" of Canada. This is hyperbole, there are thousands upon thousands of desis who are doing quite well here. It really is a beautiful country and although there may be some initial challenges, most people do settle down quite nicely over time. What I've found is most people who are good in communication and enterprising do quite well. People who are poor in communication/basic English have a hit or miss experience.

2. The state of mind you want is cautiously open and positive. Don't be blindly positive and completely ignore the challenges.

3. Try not to stay in a basement if possible, it is quite depressing. Unless of course there is not choice. If you do go for a basement, make sure you go for an airy one with at least a bit of light. And move out of it as soon as you can. The 100-200 dollars saved there aren't really worth it in my opinion.

4. I have no familiarity with the retail field so cannot advise you there, but the retail market in TO is one of the biggest in Canada so it is your best shot. Suggest doing a bit of market research from where you are and once you're here, start approaching big companies directly.

5. For jobs, many people will tell you to aim very low i.e. take cash job at gas pump blah blah. Unless you are really strapped for cash, start with aiming high and give it a good couple of months at least before you start compromising.

6. Once you land, give yourself a few days to acclimatize and enjoy your surroundings. Don't go into a frenzy of looking for jobs on day 1 with jet lag. Your stress will show in interviews.

7. Take constructive criticism and advice for sure, but never forget the golden rule of filtering whatever you consume through common sense. Canada isn't some magic fantasy twilight zone that many try to project and that you will never understand, it is a normal democracy like most countries and despite some cultural nuances, the basic tenets/values of all progressive countries apply. People are generally quite nice.

8. Avoid incessantly negative people like the plague. They would love nothing more than to pull you down into their pool of misery.

There's always some degree of risk/fear when you move to a new country. The more happily you face the challenge of overcoming it, the better your prospects here will be.

Good luck!

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Originally posted by New immigrant

Dear Senior Desis and members,

I had sought your advice a few months ago when we (Family of 3) came to Toronto for our landing in October last year. All went well, and now we are winding up from Dubai, tying all loose ends and planning to migrate for good by end of August.

We have been doing our research on areas to live in, schooling, transport facilities etc but I would still appreciate if any one of you can help.

1. The last time, we lived in a furnished apartment in Mississauga, though it was very convenient, we found commuting to Downtown etc was very expensive / time consuming. Hence, we were advised by somebody we know to look at areas such as Etobicoke, York / Thornhill / Scarborough. Need advice on what would be the best option for a new comer.

2. My son is 5 and a half years old and has been schooling here in British Curriculum. Hence, please advise if it would be possible to get admissions even by September 1st week given the school boundary determined by where we choose to live.

3. We are looking at a monthly rent of CAD 1000 – 1200 including Hydro. We are ok even if it is an open basement. Have been going through Kijiji but I just want an honest opinion from you guys.

4. We are planning to bring sufficient funds to last us around 5-6 months and are coming with a very positive and open mind.

5. My husband is a Brand Manager – Retail currently in Dubai handing various sporting brands such as Reebok, Umbro, Speedo etc. He has about 12 years of experience. How is the market for his field?

6. I have worked in the capacity of an administrator in Media, Shipping & Aviation and roughly have about 10 years of experience. Where would I Stand in the job market?

7. We had written to one of our friends, and it was very disappointing that he literally shattered our dreams and totally discouraged us. However, I don’t want to go with what he said and I’m turning for help to you guys.

8. Will my son be eligible from CTB and what would be the approximate amount?

I know its gonna be a struggle but we are coming preparedto face the challenges. Hence, it’s a humble request if any of you can give us useful & honest feedback. I would be very grateful. Also, if any of you have an extra apartment or basement home that will be available by end of August, kindly let me know.

Thank you.

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Are you there?

Dear Bluelobster,

thank you for the friendly advice & tips. We will surely keep these things in mind. As for Febpreet, each person's circumstances and motives to come to Canada is different.

We are coming purely for our son's future. This is something we had initiated 5 years ago when he was born but it only came through last year. we might have already lost a cople of years and multile opportunities. but nevertheless, better late than never.

we will continue doing reserach along the lines suggested by most of you and thank you for the guidance.

Like BL mentioned, all it takes is a desire.
There are many with very humble background have done well over the years.

Once here, just stay out of the influence race and you will see the peace in life.

All you need (husband) is to focus all the strength to land your first job in your field and I am certain rest will follow.

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The cowards never started,
The weak died on the way,
Only the strong arrived.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yK1i9cLAMM

Hello new immigrant:
Come on board, be positive, struggle, work hard to succeed.
Do not criticize your friend who shattered your " dreams" He is surely your true friend.
When I first considered migrating from Gulf in 1991, a senior acquaintance with Canada exposure, advised me against it/ my kids were like 8 years old then; I heeded his advice; only immigrated in 2013; am thankful to him.

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Many

Thanks Many for sharing your story.
As I see it :
The later you immigrate (non-IT persons and finance professionals), the more problems only it will bring, unless you plan on just sending your kids to university and settling in Canada with money.
Looking back, 2004-2006 were the golden years of Canada. Lot of immigrants got jobs and the housing market was at it lowest (though it was even lower in 2009 but jobs were not there).

Wondering if those golden periods will ever come again.

Now there are just too many local canadian people graduating from universities and unable to find jobs.

Murali

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Always remember whatever advice you get from people in Canada is always 90 % based on their personal experiences..whether positive or negative. Everyone is different and everyone's skill, attitude, education,circumstances,mentality,field etc is different.

If someone has had a negative experience after coming here, most of their advice is going to be negative iirespective of what your situation is . They are only going to tell it from their point of view NOT yours.

Same thing goes for positive experience & positive advice.

The friend of yours who was shattering your dreams by giving you negative advice is probably doing so based on his personal experiences..now this exact same person if he had a wonderful experience after coming here would be giving you just the opposite advice & would be building up your dreams !

So whatever he is telling you is just his perception & experience..none of it applies to you & your family , whether its positive or negative..as you are NOT him & he is NOT you.

Just bcoz someone has a bad life in Canada doesn't mean you will & just bcoz they have a good life doesn't mean you will either.

Don't be fooled by the success stories of someone & don't be depressed by the failure stories of others..at the end of the day you will get what you deserve based on your personal choices, hard work ( or lack thereof )