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Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? - Travel (6) - Nairaland

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Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 7:28pm On Apr 01, 2012
bamshy:

Uncle Fhemmmy, My question plsssssss wink

In all honesty, i dont think you need the on campus accomodation, you will be fine to live outside of the school, so do not allow that to stress you and scare you.
If you are Mama's boy, then, i will advice you to quickly pay for the accomodation, and even at that, Mom wont be there to attend to all your needs, cos you are on your own.

You will save more money living off campus, but make sure it is not somewhere too far from the school, cos the money you are saving might be used to pay for the transportation to classes.

Good luck, Sir
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Mavor: 9:23pm On Apr 01, 2012
Can someone with a 3rd class and pgd from Nigeria get admission into any masters program of her choice in Canada?
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Mavor: 6:55pm On Apr 02, 2012
Ok, studied Computer Engr as first degree and Computer Science as pgd. worked in IT for almost 3 years, now in telecoms for almost a year. Looking at a masters degree in technology management, engineering management or something related to telecoms.
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by bamshy: 9:14pm On Apr 02, 2012
bamshy: What happens at the airport where you are given your Temporary resident visa? Do you need to provide all the docs you used for the permit? Also, if you have gotten a "better" offer, is presenting that offer instead of the one you used for study permit at the port of entry a bad idea?

This was my question Uncle Fhemmmy.... grin...Now, i'm waiting for your answer smiley
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Nobody: 10:53am On Apr 03, 2012
How do you take your money to CA? Specifically, how do you open an a/c from Nigeria? How do you transfer your money from a Nigerian Bank (eg. GTB)?

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Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 2:03pm On Apr 03, 2012
bamshy:

This was my question Uncle Fhemmmy.... grin...Now, i'm waiting for your answer smiley


I beg, let us drop the uncle oh . . . I am simply Fhemmmy . . . cool

If you have gotten any better offer and you wanna decide to go to the other school, that would be your own stuff to worry about when you are already in the country, i would not do that at the boarder or point of entry.
You will need to show them documents from the embassy and no need to show them all the document that you used in applying for the visa, if you are not qualified, they embassy would not have granted you a visa.

But it wont hurt if you have them on you . . . .

But just a question for you, why would you wanna change school, after you must have paid some money to the former school?
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 2:05pm On Apr 03, 2012
SimonAndal: How do you take your money to CA? Specifically, how do you open an a/c from Nigeria? How do you transfer your money from a Nigerian Bank (eg. GTB)?

That should be the least of your problem.
We have coys that runs such deals, accepts Naira in Nigeria and pay your Canadian $$ in Canada.
Or you could have your bank do a wire transfer if that is what you chose to do.
At the port of entry, you are allowed only 10,000 $$ Cash and MUST be declared, dont try to hide it like the underwear bomber oh . . .Lol
Good Luck

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Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 2:06pm On Apr 03, 2012
Mavor: Ok, studied Computer Engr as first degree and Computer Science as pgd. worked in IT for almost 3 years, now in telecoms for almost a year. Looking at a masters degree in technology management, engineering management or something related to telecoms.

Who would be your sponsor? and are all you just listed verifiable?
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Mavor: 6:28pm On Apr 03, 2012
Fhemmmy:

Who would be your sponsor? and are all you just listed verifiable?
Of course it's verifiable. She works in one of the top 3 telecom vendors in Nigeria (Huawei/Ericsson/ZTE). Her sponsor is herself(her savings)plus her sis(doctor in US) and bro-in-law(nurse in US)plus her uncle who is a rich civil engr businessman (in Nigeria)
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Mavor: 6:31pm On Apr 03, 2012
Please is Memorial University, Canada a good school?
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 6:35pm On Apr 03, 2012
Mavor: Of course it's verifiable. She works in one of the top 3 telecom vendors in Nigeria (Huawei/Ericsson/ZTE). Her sponsor is herself(her savings)plus her sis(doctor in US) and bro-in-law(nurse in US)plus her uncle who is a rich civil engr businessman (in Nigeria)

That is nice, chance of someone like that getting a visa is higher, as long as the application is packed together well.
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Mavor: 8:18pm On Apr 03, 2012
Fhemmmy:

That is nice, chance of someone like that getting a visa is higher, as long as the application is packed together well.
Ok, need to know what the minimum cost of living amount canadian embassy requires apart from tuition
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by bamshy: 8:21pm On Apr 03, 2012
Fhemmmy:


I beg, let us drop the uncle oh . . . I am simply Fhemmmy . . . cool

If you have gotten any better offer and you wanna decide to go to the other school, that would be your own stuff to worry about when you are already in the country, i would not do that at the boarder or point of entry.
You will need to show them documents from the embassy and no need to show them all the document that you used in applying for the visa, if you are not qualified, they embassy would not have granted you a visa.

But it wont hurt if you have them on you . . . .

But just a question for you, why would you wanna change school, after you must have paid some money to the former school?

Thank you for answering my questions. I am yet to pay anything to any of the schools. However, the one with the better offer has asked me to pay by June ending while the first but not-so-good offer requires me to pay by July ending. This in itself is a dilemma on which one i should pay for. Alternatively, I could pay for the two especially if the embassy requires that I pay for the "not-so-good" school i applied it. However, I would lose $1,400 which is said to be non-refundable in their refund policy. Any advice please?
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by bamshy: 8:23pm On Apr 03, 2012
Mavor: Ok, need to know what the minimum cost of living amount canadian embassy requires apart from tuition

Rule of thumb is CAD10,000 wink
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by bamshy: 8:27pm On Apr 03, 2012
SimonAndal: How do you take your money to CA? Specifically, how do you open an a/c from Nigeria? How do you transfer your money from a Nigerian Bank (eg. GTB)?

You can do this easily with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc internet banking platform. All you need is your token and funded dollar domiciliary account and you are good to go! You wanna run things when you are not in Nigeria. GTBank is poised to make it possible. Terms and conditions apply tongue
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 8:30pm On Apr 03, 2012
bamshy:

Thank you for answering my questions. I am yet to pay anything to any of the schools. However, the one with the better offer has asked me to pay by June ending while the first but not-so-good offer requires me to pay by July ending. This in itself is a dilemma on which one i should pay for. Alternatively, I could pay for the two especially if the embassy requires that I pay for the "not-so-good" school i applied it. However, I would lose $1,400 which is said to be non-refundable in their refund policy. Any advice please?

Why are you having difficulty chosing one . . . and what made one offer "not so good"
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by bamshy: 8:35pm On Apr 03, 2012
Fhemmmy:

Why are you having difficulty chosing one . . . and what made one offer "not so good"

Got the better offer after I applied using the not-so-good. One had better student review than the other. In addition, the course content of the one with the better student review is 'loaded', specialised and contemporary. And by the way, I have chosen the better one. It's just that my application was submitted with the not-so-good offer(hindsight). My choice is in Toronto by the way wink
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 8:49pm On Apr 03, 2012
bamshy:

Got the better offer after I applied using the not-so-good. One had better student review than the other. In addition, the course content of the one with the better student review is 'loaded', specialised and contemporary. And by the way, I have chosen the better one. It's just that my application was submitted with the not-so-good offer(hindsight). My choice is in Toronto by the way wink

Then, no wahala, once you get here, and you decide to go to the "So Good" one, at least you will be in school and registered with the school, so you should be fine.
See you in T dot O
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Nobody: 8:49pm On Apr 03, 2012
I asked a Bureau de Change in my area and they said they don't give foreign currency. So my question is how/where do I convert my Naira to dollars? And the $10k is it USD or CAD?
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 8:51pm On Apr 03, 2012
SimonAndal: I asked a Bureau de Change in my area and they said they don't give foreign currency. So my question is how/where do I convert my Naira to dollars? And the $10k is it USD or CAD?

Your BDC do not sell US $$ or what currency are you trying to Buy?
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Nobody: 8:53pm On Apr 03, 2012
I was trying to get CAD.

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Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Nobody: 8:54pm On Apr 03, 2012
I could get it in a bank right?
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 8:55pm On Apr 03, 2012
SimonAndal: I was trying to get CAD.

If you are trying to make a payment, i am not sure how Nigeria banks works, but i will assume that the banks in Nigeria should be to take care of that for you, but again, i am not sure how Nigeria banks works
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Nobody: 8:55pm On Apr 03, 2012
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Nobody: 8:59pm On Apr 03, 2012
I'm not trying to make payment. I was told I could take 10k with me at any given time, so I was tryna convert some NGN to CAD.
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by bamshy: 9:00pm On Apr 03, 2012
SimonAndal:

This shouldn't be rocket science. Ask your bank plus one or other two for options. You are certainly not the first or only one who would require this service. Your bank must have dealt with it in times past. Try GTBank.
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 3:20pm On Apr 04, 2012
SimonAndal: I'm not trying to make payment. I was told I could take 10k with me at any given time, so I was tryna convert some NGN to CAD.

There is no need for you to take 10,000 CAD $$ with you, it can always be transferred . . . Good luck

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Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by pauloman(m): 5:52pm On Apr 04, 2012
Medlabgirl: Justwise thank you for this excellent and informative post. I cannot help but comment on it.

For all those who are asking people to avoid homestays, I have to tell you that you are wrong!!! What you should say instead is choose your homestay very carefully. Yes we see a lot of African students get placed with Caucasian and even Chinese and East Indian families, and it’s quite a horrid experience for them. I am not saying that the families are bad, no, they are different from what we as Nigerians know. For example, a chicken salad (no not with all the orishirishi of a Naija salad, just a few bits of chicken in a lot of lettuce, with or without some dressing on it) is considered a perfectly normal lunch, whereas, you might be expecting Eba and Okra soup. Soup and sandwich, yes, a bowl of thin watery soup, (think meat stock in Naija) plus a sandwich (one half of two pcs of bread, with a slice of ham, and some lettuce for e.g.) is also considered a perfectly normal dinner, while you fresh from naija, are thinking Rice n Stew. Perspective is everything.

I have a very good friend who has in the last year or so started a settlement program for new families in British Columbia. She has now added a homestay component, and I will be joining her in this venture.

A homestay is crucial for a newcomer to Canada. When I first got here all those years ago, (I came as a landed immigrant, not as a student) even though I arrived Canada with over $12,000USD, I stayed with a Pastor and his family for four months, until I got my bearings.

The homestay we are offering costs only $650 a month. This includes a stay with a Nigerian family, offering Nigerian home cooked meals. You also have your own room, Internet access 24hrs a day, access to a land line, which once you start to buy phone cards will make perfect sense to you, laundry and cable TV. Most homestays have a computer available for the student as well, as well as TV's in their rooms.

I challenge anybody to try to find anything as affordable as this.

Compared to shared accommodations for e.g., first of all, let’s say you are very lucky and find a good roomie to share with, trust me this is not as easy as people think, your rent for your one room is say $350. You still have to buy a bed, blankets, pillows, a dresser, you need to buy kitchen utensils to cook, you need a microwave, you will also need a desk and a chair to study on, you will need a computer if you don’t already have one, you may also need a printer for all those assignments you will have to hand in, if your instructor doesn’t accept Emailed ones. You will need to buy a television as well.
You will of course also need to pay your bills monthly. Cable TV is at least $50 a month; internet is at least $40 a month. You will need to do your laundry at a Laundromat for about $20-30 a month, as most suites do not offer laundry. Then you will need to buy food and spend time to cook and store it. If you share a suite, most times you will also be fighting with a roomie about things like 'Did you eat my food in the fridge?" or How come you used all my toothpaste? If you get an apartment, instead of a basement suite, then plan to pay at least $450 a month for rent, plus all the other expenses listed above. You will also need to pay for your hydro bills, about $50 a month if you're good, and also gas bills, again about another $50 a month, so you are already looking at $700 a month, and you haven’t even bought food. All these only since you're sharing. Double or more that if you don't share.

I can tell you right now that one of the most critical things for you, arriving straight from home is going to be, who to pick you up from the airport when you first arrive, and who will have that first hot bath and warm meal as well as a comfortable place to stay when you arrive? Who will take you around and show you how things are done? Please your best bet is a homestay.

So please my friends, don't be too quick to knock that homestay. One dear girl who attends Simon Fraser University has been in a homestay now for 3 years, and she loves it. Her host family, yes Naija family, got her a job, and she's really happy.

The newest homestay who will be arriving in April requested a receipt for her payment (she paid for 6months) to be sent to the Canadian High Commission, as well as a letter saying that she had the homestay arranged, and that she would be picked up from the airport etc. This was done and she said she was asked about the homestay during her interview.

This homestay is fantastic for students and all newcomers to British Columbia, so if you are a student, or a new immigrant, send an email and I will be happy to set you up with a homestay. I look forward to hearing from you.

medlabgirl@live.com. Please put Homestay in the subject of your email.

Again thanks Justwise for putting this up. I think I will start up a new thread later this week, advertising the homestay and settlement for New families.

I am an immigrant planning to relocate to ontario soon and i really need your services. My email is ufeli_ocp@yahoo.com.Thanks
Re: Nigerian Students In Canada: How Do You Survive? by Fhemmmy: 6:33pm On Apr 04, 2012
Medlabgirl: Justwise thank you for this excellent and informative post. I cannot help but comment on it.

A homestay is crucial for a newcomer to Canada. When I first got here all those years ago, (I came as a landed immigrant, not as a student) even though I arrived Canada with over $12,000USD, I stayed with a Pastor and his family for four months, until I got my bearings.
.

That is not 100% true, you dont need home-stay to get your bearings.
Besides, no one ever said home-stay is not good, just that it is not cheap choice for students that can't afford huge expenses.

Getting an apartment to share close to schools are not too uncommon . . . Yes, people might get back room mates, however, they could get bad host as well in home-stay . .

there are always several ways to introduce one's business . . .

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