Are jobs easy to come by?
The question of jobs is paramount in the minds of most immigrants. It’s often a matter of talent, timing and luck. You should be willing to ‘reinvent’ yourself to find a job that requires your knowledge and skills if work isn’t available in your own field. Immigrant stories on the job front are so varied that it would be unfair to generalise. Some find jobs almost immediately after they arrive, others wait several months before even getting a call for an interview. It must be said though that for most skilled immigrants, finding employment is usually just a matter of time.

Education standards in Canada are excellent. Schooling is free, but college and university education is expensive. Many teenagers take up summer jobs to help pay their way through college and student loans are also available.

There are also several institutions that offer special interest courses for children and adults. Many immigrants enrol themselves in evening or night courses to polish their skills in subjects that might help promote themselves better in the job market.

Canadian winters? Brrrr!

Canadian winters are a huge source of concern for most immigrants, especially those from Asia and the Far East many of whom have had no first-hand experience of snow. There is no denying that the winter months are bitterly cold. However, so long as you are properly attired when outdoors and your home and car is equipped for the season, there is no cause for alarm. Many immigrants are surprised by how well they cope with winter in Canada, and children especially have a ball in the snow.

There will always be days when the weather is especially rough (usually when it’s both cold and windy), but then which part of the world doesn’t have its bad days? Readers living in the Middle East won’t have to look too far back to remember searing 40+ Celsius spells while those in Asia and the Far East will have had their share of downpours that make travelling a nightmare.

If below freezing temperatures are too chilling a prospect for you, look at setting up home in a city nearer the West Coast. Vancouver, for example, rarely has snow and temperatures below 0 Celsius are unusual.

Will I be able to adjust to life in Canada? Will I lose my ethnic identity?

Adjusting to the Canadian way of life really depends on the immigrant’s background and his or her willingness to make the change. It helps to have a spirit of adventure and the readiness for a challenge. There are many aspects of life in Canada that you might find different from what you are used to – whether it pertains to job-hunting, buying a home or socialising. This book will help you get up to speed on these and other topics, so hang in there!

Having said that, it is not in the least bit true that you will start to lose your identity or sense of roots. Immigration levels in Canada are high, and an estimated 225,000 new immigrants set foot on Canadian soil each year. So don’t be surprised when you find yourself surrounded by people of your own race, creed or colour at work, on the roads or at the malls.

Canada respects all religions and cultures, and whether you go to a church, temple, mosque or gurudwara, you will likely find a place of worship near you.

There are several clubs and associations that cater to individual communities or nationalities as well as organisations that help new immigrants adjust to life in Canada, so look at using these services.

There are even television and radio networks which broadcast programmes in ethnic languages, and as for films, we’d be surprised if you didn’t find what you were looking for at a neighbourhood video store!