Inside: What is living abroad like? You may have asked yourself not once or twice, but many times over. Find out some of the best advice on how to decide if it is for you and start your journey.
Successful applicants who have come to Canada put a lot of time and effort into making sense of their decision to leave.
Whether it’s to tour, study, work, or permanently live in Canada – you have to start somewhere, and at some point.
Planning your moves to read, ask, research first, all the way to the first month you arrive in Canada is secondary.
First and foremost, ask yourself: Is that life for me? At this point, you really have no exact idea what that Canadian life will be like.
You may have read everything and watched all Netflix, youtube videos, etc., and heard your relatives or friends tell you about it, but you will realize and fully understand life in Canada only after you have arrived and started living that life.
I was there.
For the longest time, I did not plan on living abroad. I was happy with my life in our little town. I was content with my career. I was enjoying life with family and friends. Life was simple and joyful.
Until I got married ( in my 40s ) and had a child. Lucky and blessed to have a son at 44.
Thinking of the future of my young son and step-daughter who was then in high school, we finally decided to try to apply to immigrate as a family.
Because my spouse was on board, and with lots of family in Canada, I thought life would not be that difficult.
There were lots of struggles and challenges, for sure.
Read more about our initial journey here.
Proper mindset and preparation
So, first advice: Openness. Be ready to accept what that new life will bring. It’s normal to find it difficult to accept that your valued education from a top university will be almost nothing once you’re in Canada.
It’s to be expected that employers may ask for Canadian experience from you (unless you came on temporary work permit) and to see that their way of life at work and work culture will be different.
It’s okay to find yourself disoriented, feeling left out, or treated like you’re an outsider. It takes strong faith, a positive and can-do attitude to overcome these challenges.
Try to focus on your goals, not on how you perceive others are treating you. Hindi ito madali, ngunit malalampasan lahat.
Nasa sa inyo kung gaano kahaba o kaikli ang panahon na kayo ay maginhawa na at kuntento sa inyong sitwasyon.
The adjustment period may be short, or longer, depending on your outlook and attitude.
Second, ask yourself again: Is your decision to come to Canada firm enough that you will pour your energies into the process of gathering information, application, follow-up, and most of all, to pray and believe this is for you?
That nothing and no one can stop you? If your answer is not a resounding Yes, this may affect how you proceed.
Please try to avoid being hesitant as this mindset will dictate how you put together your efforts before, during, and after your application.
Your answer to this question “Should I go to Canada?” should be a resounding, 100% Yes no matter the odds.
Third, please keep your plans to yourself and to people close to you. Sometimes, we tend to announce to everyone that we’re going to Canada when truth is, have not even started to apply.
Fourth, do your homework – do not rely on someone else, or an agent to do this for you.
Start to dig up information regarding how and what steps are involved. The information about coming to Canada will be helpful, no matter if you’re coming only to visit.
Collect as much information as you can. If your goal is to come to study, work, or immigrate, you will need more facts.
Read, ask, consult. Reading materials are for free. Canadian Citizen and Immigration is one website you need to read, but not the first one. Warning! There are lots of information here that you might find overwhelming. You need some guidance to make it simpler for you and you might want to let us coach you for a reasonable fee.
Likewise, begin with listening to anecdotes, and first-hand experience from people from all walks of life.
Start watching videos or vlogs. Read blogs; maybe you can join a chat group.
Learn from these interviews:
How to Apply to Canada with no Family Sponsor
How to Sponsor a Family Member with Disability
Keep an open, not judgmental mind.
Try not to believe everything you hear from people who want to make money off you. Look for a consultant or agency that you can trust and does not collect exorbitant or unreasonable fees if you need to.
This is really important. Money matters-it will take a lot of finances to go through the process, from securing required documents, to application fees, to the “show” money, your fare ( more if your whole family comes with you ), to the essentials that you need to buy for the travel and bring with you to the new country.
Plus your absences from your job if you decide to get yourself all those documents. Or more money if you decide to pay another person to do these for you.
Be open to seeking personal loans from family or from your workplace. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
Cut down on your expenses and make this application a priority!
Meantime, go on with your life and more!
You don’t really know at first if you will be approved or not.
If you know, based on your research, that it will take like 5 years or more for your application to be approved, you can plan to upgrade your education. If you have the money, enroll in postgraduate studies.
Or if budget is tight, just attend seminars and conferences related to your education and employment. It will be helpful when you will be required to update your education and work background when your application will be approved. Even for seeking job employment when you arrive in Canada, these will be plus points.
Remember, you’re doing this, not only for yourself but for your family.
Watch this to help you more with your decision: Paano Mag-abroad ( 5 Tanong sa Sarili Mo )
Congratulations for being brave and determined thus far, to make it work.
Again. Let me summarize.
The three big factors: MMA
MINDSET – Patience, 100% Determination, Positive Attitude, Diligence.
MONEY – You cannot go forward without this! Ask help from family and friends, if needed.
ACTION – Start ASAP to gather the requirements, Tell yourself, ” I can do this! ” Beat the deadlines- submit papers on time. Lots of prayers for guidance and enlightenment are really vital. Regularly and openly communicate with coaches or consultants ( if you decide to avail of their services ) for any concerns.
Need more clarification?
We can help!
We are here to guide you to navigate your plans, make them easier and less overwhelming. Read here how Canada Bound Coaching can assist you.
Email us at admin@canadaboundcoaching.com to start your inquiries.