MD,
Nicely narrated.

2 things I liked what you have said and have done is .
- Canada is not for everyone. rightly said.
- Instead of going back to your native country and sulk , you gave another country a shot. Thats admirable tenacity to stay afloat. Rightly done !

All the best for the next one !
Tell us about Australia also, of course the story after the initial blues, whenever time comes. Immigration is a strange animal to ride on and you are doing it twice. Well done.

Hi again,

I was very much delighted to get replies after my initial article on my Canadian experience. I usually try to abstain from writing but felt that it would be helpful to a lot who make their way to Canada.

And YES pm me in case you need some information as I do feel uncomfortable giving out my email.

So far its been three months in Australia (We decided on Melbourne) even though Sydney seems to be a popular destination. I would say I am rather surprised by the few interviews call ups that I have had. I do have some kind of odd job going on in a factory and I find my co workers really very friendly and supportive (unlike in Canada when I was in the warehouse where I had some odd characters).

It would not be premature if I said now that I have made a good decision coming here even though it was solely based on family who are in Malaysia who are a lot closer to us now than before.

We settled in quite easily as we had family friends from Malaysia. We stayed with them for a month and surprisingly were able to get a place to rent. Mind you renting here is absolutely rather insanely ludicrous. We cannot even put a nail up on the wall of the house! That's how crazy it is. Anyways, renting surely was easy in Canada.

Dealing with the government is rather painless but customer service is pretty bad. We purchased some furniture from a store and they are yet to provide us some of them after almost a month. That's how ridiculous it is. I don't see myself blowing my top yet even though it can be a pain trying to organize dinner as we have no chairs to sit on!

Overall driving is easy, I got used to driving on the left side and it didn't take long getting adjusted to it. Yes, you can convert your Canadian license to Australian easily. The train system is rather good and you just have to get on the Public Transport Victoria website and there is a journey planner that you can use that gives you the options of travelling. So far so good.

Based on my conversation with some recruiters here, they seems to put a positive note on my Canadian and Singaporean work experience. They say that employers value that. So I am quite pleased that employers here are rather forthcoming compared to those in Canada where experience is concerned. Obviously communicating well do help.

I have also continued to call Recruiters and speak to them in a weekly basis so that they are able to keep me informed of opportunities. I have actually had some luck but so far that has not turned into any offers. In fact did have one from an Indian Company that I would not like to name (its an Industry Giant) but they paid lower than the market rate and wanted commitment from me to work with them continuously but I rather be honest and not take the offer. In fact they rejected me first as the manager was quite unfriendly during the interview but called me back two weeks later asking me if I would like to join them immediately (someone that they took left) so I gave him a big NO. Might be a bad thing on my part but whats the point of joining them and leaving the following month.

I cannot find any negative points so far but yes groceries are about the same as Canada but you get lots more homegrown stuff here. Weather is pretty nice but at the moment its summer here so it is kinda hot. I have made some friends here and mostly are from Malaysia. People have been really supportive and helpful. Biggest plus point is we can get Malaysian food to get over our cravings.

Hope that helps. All the best to you guys in North America.
p/s: Yes I absolutely miss Canada now that I am here. I guess that's how it is.

MD,
Very nice insight of Australia.

Being a Canadian with a Cdn. passport, I had thought that I can just enter Australia and look for a job and convert my citizenship to Australian PR but it is not so. I will have to apply fresh.

For applying fresh, they are asking for A$ 800 or so to register my name with the council of Architecture and then if they find me a match, then I will have to apply for immigration. A hassle and hence I could not migrate to Australia with my Cdn passport. For people below 28 years, they give a 1 year working visa where you can travel and work.

Australia has alsways been my dream destination for its good weather and the oppertunities that if offers. As long as China was good, Australia was good. But I suspect that we will see a major recession in Australia soon (The first after the recession of 1991). China is slowly going to the dogs and Crude oil is expected to be around $ 16 soon. RBS has advised its clients to sell everything and save the money as deflation may come soon.

Murali

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Hi Murali,

Yes you would have to apply separately for Australia.

Yes Australia's weather is pretty awesome compared to Canada and people love the outdoors a lot here. Plenty of parks around which were severely lacking in Canada.

For me every country is different and sometimes I do end up comparing Canada with Australia. I guess we are just being human after all. It will stop eventually when we do get settled down comfortably here...hopefully.

I guess there might be a slowdown which has dogged Australia somewhat but I see a slowdown overall every where too. With the oil prices dropping, Alberta has seen its fair share of job losses as well. Over here, from what I have heard, Perth was hit pretty bad.

I can only think of one thing now, if you are resourceful, you will eventually find something. I always remember this, being born in the long line of migrants, listening to stories of my grandparents who moved from India to Malaysia in an age where there were no internet, no google maps, no beautiful pictures of the land that you are going to, no airports and the expensive flights that no one could afford then, it scares the crap outta me. We have all the resources today to make intelligent decisions and we are educated so go forth young man, nothing can and will break you. You make a wrong turn, you start again. Enjoy the journey.

Hi Murali,

Yes you would have to apply separately for Australia.

Yes Australia's weather is pretty awesome compared to Canada and people love the outdoors a lot here. Plenty of parks around which were severely lacking in Canada.

For me every country is different and sometimes I do end up comparing Canada with Australia. I guess we are just being human after all. It will stop eventually when we do get settled down comfortably here...hopefully.

I guess there might be a slowdown which has dogged Australia somewhat but I see a slowdown overall every where too. With the oil prices dropping, Alberta has seen its fair share of job losses as well. Over here, from what I have heard, Perth was hit pretty bad.

I can only think of one thing now, if you are resourceful, you will eventually find something. I always remember this, being born in the long line of migrants, listening to stories of my grandparents who moved from India to Malaysia in an age where there were no internet, no google maps, no beautiful pictures of the land that you are going to, no airports and the expensive flights that no one could afford then, it scares the crap outta me. We have all the resources today to make intelligent decisions and we are educated so go forth young man, nothing can and will break you. You make a wrong turn, you start again. Enjoy the journey.

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Originally posted by MalaysianDesi


Yes Australia's weather is pretty awesome compared to Canada and people love the outdoors a lot here. Plenty of parks around which were severely lacking in Canada.

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