Expat-repat

republican
Super Member



Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 193
Location: England

Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:42 pm

 

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I was wondering if I could ask the more mature people here a question.
Soon enough I will be heading on back to Canada the only thing is, I have never lived there as an adult before and I am not 100% sure what to expect. I know it will be better than life here-it can't get much worse for me!
In all honesty I am going back for a visit in Oct and part of me is just tempted not to go on the return flight back. I really miss Canada and really dislike it here.
republican
PS sorry for the really downer message!

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themeone
Senior Member



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 86
Location: London UK

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 1:58 am

 

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I think you have to be prepared for the possibility, however remote it may seem, that life in Canada might not meet your expectations. After all, you will still be the same person and the problems we face in life often come as much from within as from where we are - in other words, going to a different place is not necessarily a cure-all.

I was in a somewhat similar position to you - Canadian but never lived there as an adult. Over the years, I have had two separate spells of living in Canada, neither really 100% successful, and I have now pretty much decided my best chance in life probably involves staying in the UK.

I do think you should give it a go, and I hope it all works for you. Here are the things I have found to be "issues", most of which revolve around finding work.

Check whether any professional qualifications you have are acceptable in Canada - Canada is not particularly accommodating in recognising overseas qualifications.

I found the employment market to operate very differently in Canada. My general experience in Canada is that employers want more and offer less than in the UK. Also, compared to London, I found competition for jobs in Toronto much higher. I also found it far more common in Canada to get jobs via personal contacts, which can be a problem if you don't have any personal contacts!

You may well be seen as someone from abroad, "an immigrant" even and, as such, may find yourself last in the queue for jobs. A friend of mine from India has just left Toronto after a year. He's a qualified accountant - had to redo exams to get his qualifications recognised in Canada - then, apart from a one month contract, received no job offers apart from rubbish like data entry, which a school leaver could have done.

Be prepared also for Canadian employers to ask for "Canadian experience" - the lack of which will exclude you from some jobs. Nobody, including many people I spoke to in Canada, knows why they do this, since business practice in Canada is broadly comparable to other western economies.

On the plus side, I always find accommodation really easy to find in Canada. The pace of life, even in Toronto, seems sedate, "yob culture" doesn't seem to exist much and you can forget about litter strewn streets, and graffiti everwhere.

Sorry if this post seems more negative than positive - but it's better to know these things in advance.

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republican
Super Member



Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 193
Location: England

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 4:43 am

 

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Firstly to all,I am feeling much better now
Secondly, I thank themeone for the advice. Although I will be going back as a University student. I may well not like life in Canada-although I doubt it but I agree it is best to have a try.
I will also be living in France before I go back as I have been accepted to a TESOL course there.
republican
www.canadian-republic.ca

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Michelle
Senior Member



Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Posts: 97
Location: Scotland

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 5:05 am

 

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Hi Republican,
I don't know how much help I can be but I may face a similar situation myself. I am considering a move back to Toronto so my daughter will have a chance to know her extended family. I haven't actually lived in Canada for 10 years, I left for San Francisco at 24. So, while I was an adult I didn't really have that much experience of adult life (mortgage, kids, long term career that kind of thing).
I do think that a trip back with the mind set of looking to see if that's where you'd like to live will make a big difference. If you are going back as a student then I would imagine that would certainly make things easier. If you decided to stay when you were done with school, you will have had an education there which will probably help with jobs ect.
You are young and there is no reason that you can't go wherever you want. If things don't work out, you gave it a try and you can always come back. You seem to have a very positive attitude about the whole thing so I hope it works out the way you want.
Michelle

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themeone
Senior Member



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 86
Location: London UK

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 7:42 am

 

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I agree. If you're going back to Canada to complete higher education, Republican, that will probably make things much easier and give you the contacts you'll need to make a success of life there.

I think you're doing it at exactly the right time of life. People who move to (or move back to) Canada later in life often seem to have no end of problems slotting into life there.

And you'll always have the opportunity to pursue any opportunities that might come your way in the UK without any citizenship or visa hassles later on.

Best of luck!

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republican
Super Member



Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 193
Location: England

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 8:50 am

 

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Thank you both very much for your advice. I think things will be better for me in Canada, I am happy for everyone who has found a home here but I have never really been able to do that, this, once had made me very bitter and angry but now I feel I am at a time of life where I can simply shrug and make a new life back home remembering the good times in England-not the bad.
republican
PS Please make sure when you spell republican its with a lower case r R implies the Republican party r implies those who want a democratic Canadian head of state

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Michelle
Senior Member



Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Posts: 97
Location: Scotland

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 11:57 am

 

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[quote="republican"]
PS Please make sure when you spell republican its with a lower case r R implies the Republican party r implies those who want a democratic Canadian head of state [/quote]

"R" also is used capitalized due to the fact that in this venue that is your name.

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wanderlust
Junior Member



Joined: 07 Sep 2004
Posts: 21

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 4:42 pm

 

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themeone's account of the Canadian job market is quite accurate -- its very modest and conservative. unfortunately, the entrepreneurial spirit is weak and lacks confidence here in canada. Its competitve in the sense that opportunities aren't that abundant.

but being a university student is probably the best way to integrate back into Canadian society, since - republican -you'll be with people who are also away from home, just not as far as your 'home'. I'm sure you'll have a pleasant time. really the only danger is perhaps a bit of boredom.

i think you'll also find that feeling 'Canadian' is more strongly felt as an expat. Indifference is the norm here, though national pride (when it does arise) often manifests itself as simply a need to distinguish ourselves as NOT american.

Yes, we're cleaner, safer, and less expensive...but one of the most compeling things about Canada is its 'multiculturalism', especially in Toronto where, i believe 50% of the population was not even born in Canada. it makes for an interesting future...

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