₦airaland Forum

Anyone headed to Conestoga College , Wilfred Laurier, university of Waterloo (Kitchener-Waterloo) region this September?

And need help/info regarding anything. Shoot me a message.

Abiodunne:
yayyyyy help scream God is good!!!! Finally my application has been approved.

I’m too happy for you!!!
Congrats man!
See you around soon!

side chick??

salford1:
Canadians are friendly but can also be very nasty as well. Just like your everyday Europeans, they are just very good in acting nice when necessary.

Very very true!

But even our fellow Nigerians can be more nasty...lol! I guess it's just learning to deal with human beings as we meet them regardless of where the come from!

dupyshoo:
You are on an online platform and you should be careful with the use of words. It is wrong to say people are "yarning dust". There are better ways of joking with others.

I really don't know how it is doing you today. However it is...take it to God in prayer!

dupyshoo:
This your comment is uncalled for. "Place to be" is relative as there are many people in developed countries that are worse than people in Naija.

You are on a Canadian thread for Christ sake! Just a joke! Drink water and Relax my dear!

Canadianfly:
Never heard of freedom mobile before lol. Na new generation company? This is good info here, at least people won't have to wait that long.
What province is this though? And how do you pay them? In other words, they were fine you had no bank account?

In fact it is now 6GB. Lol! It's Ontario! I went to one of there stores in Toronto and used my debit card to pay cus I did not have enough cash on me!
I had a bank account but details about it wasn't requested!

So you all can check them out!

Only problem I've had is once I went up north to Meaford for the weekend with some friends and we didn't have network signal till we got out of that town! Lol

Reasonabledoubt:
I won't even lie, if this Canadian thing work, and I have to go, I will be scared small o..

At least married people have each other.

Me I'm a bit worried, how do Nigerian meet other single people in Canada?

Moving to a new country where everyone is going to be struggling to adjust and start life afresh, what time will people have to socialize? (Single people that is)

Apart from POF ish initially, this is one of the reasons I have been dragging on following through with this canada waka. Feel better knowing there are other people that feel something similar.

Meeting people should be the least of your concerns! Even if you do not want to meet them, they will meet you!

Canadians are friendly to a fault!

My first week in Canada I met 3 Nigerians in my apartment building that would come to check me up every time!

So relax! Channel your energy into your prayers so your visa can be approved! Canada is the place to be...leave all these UK people yarning dust

einsteino:
please good people, how is the diversity in Canada? is racism noticeable?

There is racism in Nigeria sef!

Canadianfly:
Well the thing is this, phone plans in Canada are like renting a house or apartment lol.

It's not like Naija or UK you can land and just buy SIM card at the airport, recharge and start calling. As in pay a as you go....nah. Most if not all the phone companies offer a prepaid service. Check with your intended province though to be certain. But just like apartments, you'll need at least a working bank account and proof of address (and this is hard when you haven't found a place yet). So yes, it took me two weeks to get settled in, find an apartment, open a bank account, wait to get my bank statement with the address showing on it as proof of address, then compare and contrast what mobile company had a plan WITHOUT OFFERING ME A PHONE (I had my own phone from the UK and didn't want to buy another phone). If you need to call your village people in Naija to tell them you arrived safely, use whatsapp call.
In my case I was emailing everyone for two weeks. Whatsapp hadn't developed well then.

Anyway, most mobile phone companies in Canada found it weird when I said ONLY LINE RENTAL NO PHONE. Because line rentals come with phones, that add to your bill at the end on every month.
Anyway, long story short, if you plan on going with your current phone, sign a month to month prepaid line rental.....and avoid all these 2 year contract deals. You can't break a contract if you change your mind, except you pay them off. The amount is not cheap. If you vex and break it, they'll mess up your credit. When it's time for buying house 2 years down the line, you'll not get a mortgage because you fought with your phone company over phone lol.

I got a freedom mobile plan (4GB data, unlimited national calls for 40 dollars) the next day after I landed without any of those mention documents. I think this is currently one of the best plans in Canada now. Just be sure they have coverage where you are residing!

Plus I paid stupid tax untop that 40 dollars! The thing dey pepper body mehn! Lol!

Got an iron and heater some days ago for less than 20 dollars for both.

If I went to a store to buy new ones I would probably have spent way over 50 dollars for both of them.

So I saved myself some money, that's the whole idea...init!

If you are on a budget and need to buy items such as clothes, and some basic household items, check thrift stores around you! One popular one is Value Village! It's is like their 2nd hand store! And there are always nice and cheap stuffs there! Especially clothes!

No need to waste money on big brands when you haven't started earning dollars!

PureRuby:
Please, what is homestay?

When your stay (accommodation) with a host family. You live and share basic amenities as a family. Most times these comes with rules too! But can also help you settle in and learn their culture faster! It's sometimes more expensive than getting your own off-campus accommodation!

This is just some advice for new students coming into Canada or just recently landed!

Be prudent in your spending unless your family sent you off to Canada with 30 billion.

Do not purchase things until the need arises. You might find out you do not need them after you purchase it.

The craze to spend money on fast food and new clothes will run your pocket dry if you do not bind that spirit early.

When you want to purchase an item, look for it first on kijiji.ca. There are Chances you will find someone with the same item who need it no more and wants to sell it at a cheap price.

Take the bus. Leave UBER alone! Met a Nigerian that took UBER from Toronto to Waterloo to attend orientation.( when it's not evil spirits playing with your destiny)! Please download Google Map and learn how to use the bus. They are clean, neat and safer.

Shop during off seasons. I.e. if it's winter, buy your summer clothes in advance. Vice versa! You will most likely get them at unbelievable clearance price.

Learn to cook! Always eating out can also eat deep into your budget!

Your study permit allows you to work! Please once you settle down start applying for part-time /weekend jobs if you can handle schooling and working together. It will help you pay off your debts easily! Please do not work full time or exceed the allocated 20hrs/week. You will get in trouble!

Apply for a credit card immediately and start building your Canadian credit score...it will help you if you decide to settle in Canada after your studies.

Make friends, connect and be nice to everyone! You never know who you will need at any point in time!

Make friends with other nationalities, it broadens your thinking. But know who you are and where you come from. Don't get caught up in their ways!

Be bold and smart in an out of school! Seeing a lot of whites at once can b shocking and intimidating but you need to toughen up! Truth is you are better than most of them and many of us lived better lives than them back home if not for our stupid leaders and economy that constantly frustrate our effort and drag us backwards! So in class make your point, don't let anyone intimidate you, argue your points and stand your ground. But do it POLITELY!!!

Don't dull, be sharp! Always know what your contemporaries are doing at any point in time and follow suite!

Stay safe! Stay out of trouble and bad company! It is not worth it! There are a millions way to go astray in Canada...do not fall a victim! You know all you and your family invested to get you here...the least you can do is be successful and make them and yourself proud at the end of the day!

For those that like women, please and please and please...a lot of underage girls in Canada look like grown ass women! I call these kinda of girls 'Jail-time booty' cus that is where they will send you! Do not fall into their trap! Be sure to know enough about her before you proceed!

All the same be of your best behavior and God will help all of us! As school resumes in some days time...I wish you all the best academic year and will keep reporting live from my little luxury hole!

If you run into any issues or problem, no matter your province in Canada, always know you have a Nairaland family ready to look out for you here!

#Udo!

Sad incident!

Wow! God at work!

Maga must pay

Even some directors in Nigeria don't earn up to £1200 a month

Blackbuddy:
You can actually get a proper credit card from CIBC when you open your account and request for one but it is not issued immediately. No bank gives credit card same day you open account as it has to be processed centrally from their head office credit unit. Based on their internal applicant scoring system, you get started with a credit card with a limit that ranges from $500 to $1,500 (or more, depending on the bank and how they score your profile). With good use and prompt payments of your credit bill, your limit can be increased later on. I started with RBC but requested only a debit card though they offered me their credit card. A week later, I opened another account with CIBC and they offered me a credit card with $1,500 limit. They later offered me an increase to $5,000.00 but I opted for just $4,000.00. They have now offered me another increase to $7,000 but I turned it down. You don't need a high limit card if you use the one you have conscientiously and pay back promptly, that is how you build a good credit score. Based on good credit history, you can access a mortgage later especially if you have a good, steady source of income. This applies to all banks please.

Now it makes more sense!!! Thanks man!

CanadianNurse:
bro did you apply for a work permit from naija ? Or every study permit holder is entitled to get a work permit if you need it?

Every student is entitled to 20hrs/week work permit when school resumes.

maziude:
I came in on 25/07/2017. Went to rbc on 26/07/2017... applied for the newcomers package. I received my cc this tuesday with a limit of 1k on it.

I hope this helps.

Oh wow!

What documents were required.

Elders, please if CIBC doesn't give me a credit card and I go to another bank that is willing to, can I pull all my cash out and go to the new bank?


Hope it won't affect me!

dogice:
Confam!! I use my CC for all bills and transactions. At the end of the year, I usually get enough points to fly down south for free.

Imagine!!! These good things can't be passing me by o! Especially after the annoying tax on every damn thing.

But as a newbie, how do u advice I go about getting one !?

Welcome to Canada!

Always have a copy of all your documents on your phone because you can be asked for anyone at the POE!

I was asked for school fees receipt...imagine!

So play safe by having everything. And once you get out of the plane...connect your device to the airport WiFi, it could save your ass incase you need to get any document online!

dogice:
Haha, they hardly offer a credit card to newbies because you do not have a credit history. That's very normal. If you insist on getting a credit card with them, you could get a prepaid credit card. So you put money inside, spend it and pay it back in order to build your credit.

Also make sure you pay your phone bills on time. After about 6 months to a year, you should qualify to get a proper credit card.

But paying my phone bills without a credit card is like wasting credit points..lol!

I do go back to the bank and ask them about the prepaid credit card.

Cus I do like to start building credits from day 1...lol

So I just landed safely at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) via BA.

I was asked for my school fees receipt by the immigration office before he agreed to Print my study permit.

Luckily I had access to the airport WiFi and quickly logged into my school portal to show him evidence of all my fees paid. He then proceeded to Print the letter.

After handing me my study permit, I asked If that was all and he said yes! I was not convinced Cus I had read someone's experience here about getting his SIN number and work permit too at the airport, so I reluctantly walked away from him to leave, then one nice lady called me back and asked if I won't like to get a work permit and I'm like 'why the hell not' ...the hell was silent sha!!!

So she took me into the room again and in 5 minutes I was done!

So I got my study permit, SIN, and work permit at the airport in less than 15 minutes!

So please you guys should have a copy of your school fees receipt handy and all other documents (even if it's an e copy on your phone) you never know what these guys might ask for!

I'm signing out of these thread and will be posting all my experience in Canada as a student here:

https://www.nairaland.com/863690/nigerian-students-canada-how-survive

And only responding to related questions!

All the best guys!

TRV fall on all ye hopeful before September!

Canada hot pass lagos now mehn!

dogice:
I would go with CIBC or RBC, you can hardly go wrong with either. I believe you meant phone service provider, Fido and Koodo usually offer the best deals for students. I believe Fido has unlimited Text, calls and data for $50 plus tax. Though I heard the speed gets slower after using 2Gb but not sure about that.

Thanks settled for CIBC. Even though I wasn't offered a credit card immediately. Is this meant to be!?

Please a quick urgent one:

about banking: which bank offers good packages for students (someone suggested CIBC...is this okay?)

Phone plane: which is best please. (Freedom??)


Please anyone online now should help me. Thanks!

It's a welcome development! At least those bad eggs that have no business in America will stop going there to tarnish our image!

salford1:
Wtf moment of the day.
Spent 2 days preparing for the job gathering all sorts of permits, only for it to be cancelled. An angry bird has a nest on the breaker that was meant to be replaced. Environment dept was called to help in moving the bird and the nest...we were told that since it wasnt an emergency, we had to stand down, and the work had to be postponed for 2 weeks till the chicks in the nest fly off with their mum. Mobilization cost down the drain. All forms of life are precious in Canada.

What a wau!!!!

Sad !!