To settle in Canada has always been a dream for many people. The rumour about how Canada is a promise land that entertains the harmonious existence of many races flows through the waters, and into ears of non-Canadians. People have many reasons as to why they pick Canada as a place to spend a great portion of their life but almost all those reasons can fit under the title, “better quality of life”. The pursuit of this better quality of life pushes individuals to go through Canada’s difficult process of entrance. One must qualify in many areas including education, job, finance, heath and other skills before he or she can be eligible to enter the second largest country in the world.

 After all the trials and tribulations regarding getting into Canada, a day comes when one arrives in Canada and faces a new set of challenges. These challenges range from picking up the accepted behaviours, and learning how to deal with the fact that the children will be exposed to things a father or mother has never experienced, to the minus temperatures during the seemingly never-ending winters.  There is a gradual realization that the promise land is only promising if you work unrealistically hard, and sometimes, even that comes up short. Here are some stories from my colleagues who came as immigrants and struggle to cope with many adversities in their new home Canada.

 Veronica Cuartas, a native from Venezuela. Currently, she is working at Celestica for the purchasing team.

 1. How did your journey to live in Canada begin, what motivated you to come here?

 I'm originally from Venezuela and I came to Canada two and a half years ago. I decided to come here because of the poor economic and political situation that Venezuela is facing right now.

 2. What was your first impression of the country, after say about 2 weeks of residing here?

People here are very warm and friendly.

 3. What was the most difficult thing that you encountered and had to overcome to adapt to this new home in the land of Canada?

 The most difficult thing I encountered was the language. When I was back in home I thought I knew English but the truth is that I didn't. I knew basic things, but when I had to speak and communicate with people, it was a real struggle. I was nervous all the time to the point I didn't want to go out by myself, it was really difficult for me. The good thing is that people in Toronto are very welcoming and they try to help you as much as possible. 

 4. If given the chance to go back and never enter Canada, would you take this opportunity and why?

 I wouldn’t take it because this country offers lots of opportunities for immigrants.

5. What do you love about Canada?

Everything runs in a discipline and organized manner... Also, if I encounter a problem, there is a way to solve it.

Monica Simon emigrated about 16 years ago from Romania and is currently working at Celestica for purchasing team. She shared her early experience, likings and disliking about her new home in Canada.

 1. How has your journey begun to live in Canada?

 I arrived in Toronto, Canada on August 29, 2000. After long traveling and changing planes, my daughter and I came to what I call since, home.

Friends of mine picked us up from the airport and took care of us for 2 weeks.

Meanwhile we rented a place, put my daughter in school and got my first job.

I consider myself lucky to have support and information provided from my friends, and I consider it very important for everyone to have somebody who can help with their settling.

 2. What was the most difficult thing that you encountered and had to overcome to adapt in this new home in the land of Canada?

 There were actually 2 things I have to overcome in order to adapt to my new country:

• Living away from my family
• Understanding Canada is a multicultural country, and the fact that there is no right way or wrong way in doing things, as long as nobody get’s affected. My country of origin is based on a majority and I was used to believe that’s the way should be. Living here for 16 years changed completely my perspective and when I travel back home I miss the mixture of cultures, languages, festivals and celebrations.

 3. What was your first impression of the country, after say about 2 weeks of residing here?

 I was impressed how fast things move in terms of getting my paperwork, apartment lease, enrolling to school, etc.

I also found my city to live in huge comparing with my old town, but clean and friendly to access by public transportation, great parks, and the lake was and is still my favourite. The city has wild life and the nature is fantastic.

I liked the fact you can go around the city and explore all day and not spending a lot.

4. If given the chance to go back and never enter Canada, would you take this opportunity and why?

No! I think the best decision I took in my life was to immigrate to Canada. My decision was based on my country of origin political and economical situation, and those 2 didn’t change since.

 

5. What do you love about Canada?

I love the mixture of cultures, the fact that I fit in this mixture and I can contribute and be accepted in a great way. It is an ongoing experience, never boring, always learning and it fits my personality and my beliefs.

 Anita Jorge-Brion who is a native from Philippines and came to Canada about 23 years ago told her story of settling in this land of ice and snow.

 

 1. How has your journey begun to live in Canada?

 I came to Canada 23 years ago; I was happy and excited the moment I set foot in this beautiful country. Canada is a nice place to live in especially the surroundings is clean, quiet and peaceful compared to the country I came from. People are pleasant and friendly. They will greet you on the street and there is no fear that you will get robbed on the street. Government officials are not corrupt. They do their duties for the benefit of all. There is a good health benefit. People with low income have support coming from the government.  If you have no job, they will assist you until you get a decent job. Once you have a job, you will have the privileges of buying a house and cars. You can even travel to different places in Canada and outside Canada depending on your priorities in life. You can send your children to the best school especially if they are gifted. Children are given the chance to enhance their gifts in music and sports. There are so many things I can say that living in Canada are so good.

I remember 20 years ago; I said to myself, this is the place I want to live and raise up my family.

 2. What was the most difficult thing that you encountered and had to overcome to adapt in this new home in the land of Canada?

 One of the challenges here I faced is the weather, winter season is so hard for me. Well over the last 20 years, I have adjusted in this cold weather so far. There were times I just don't want to leave the house especially if there is a snow storm or if the temperature is extremely very cold.

 Another challenge was getting settled to the right job you desire based on your foreign education and experience. The highest education I got was a Bachelor degree in Engineering with a job experience in my field. Unfortunately, I started here in Canada as a material handler/packer/factory worker and I'm blessed to get an office job after more than 10 years. Companies in Canada preferred people with educational achievement in Canada, US or other progressive countries. Immigrants need to go back to school and get certified to get a good high paying job.

 

 

 My entrance to Canada was little different than many others.  My story began when I graduated from the Dhaka University in 1991. By this time, I had lost my mother, the greatest gift one can have in this life. Being the oldest son in the family, many responsibilities were piled on my back. I started my first job at a private company in Dhaka to make ends meet. I did not have much time to think about my future; specifically my career.  I assumed I would spend my life job hopping and trying to survive. Things took a turn for the best when I was arranged to marry a girl from my childhood neighbourhood. Coincidently, she had the permanent status of living in Canada. After the festivities that marriage brought, in 11^th October 1994, I immigrated to Canada through my wife’s sponsorship in a family class. Luckily, I had a place to live in Montreal at my brother-in-law’s house. I still remember vividly how I enjoyed everything starting from the fresh water, watching the Montreal Olympic Stadium and eating burgers from Harvey’s.  However, that happiness was fading away quickly as the harsh reality of finding a job set in. I could not seek shelter at someone else’s house forever, and this paired with the below zero temperatures and the language barrier made my fascination with Canada, short-lived. Montreal was not offering me job opportunities, and so I headed to Toronto for the endless possibilities. On July 18^th 1995, I moved to Toronto with my wife and two luggages which contained our whole lives. Previously disheartened by the memories in Montreal alongside the heartache of missing my family members back home, I was still expecting a lot from this new city. Many of my blessings are somehow connected to Toronto if not directly a result of being in this city. I have two daughters who both were born in Toronto. I met some of the most influential people in my life here, and found myself working for a company that broadened my horizons in many ways. In the last two decades, my life and dreams have changed beautifully in ways that even writing a book expressing my gratefulness would not suffice.  I am so grateful for everything that I have achieved as a Torontonian, and consider myself one of the luckiest people on the earth to be part of this multicultural society in Canada. Besides all the great things I have received from the decision to move to Canada, I still miss my nearest family members everyday. However the truth is, to earn something, you have to give up something.

 In the end, the majority of people who were not born in Canada but ended up living here seem to believe that move is best decision they made. It is a place where anyone can makes their dreams come true through hard work. Here are the some facts about the second largest country in the world. The population is 35.16 million (2013). It’s the most educated country: over half its residents have college degrees. The life expectancy is 81.1 years (2000). Canada’s lowest recorded temperature was -63 C in 1947. Canada is a country that promotes open-mindedness, appreciation for a variety of cultures and the pursuit of a good life.