₦airaland Forum

Francent:
@einsteino baba truth no go kill you o. All those ppl wy carry shoulder pad go CA cos dm be one yeye manager for one crude company, na bills go teach them lesson last last...lol

salford:
Thanks Einsteino for always keeping it real. Working different survival jobs for a few months or even years is the reality for most of us that work or seek a career in a regulated profession i.e engineering, healthcare, law, etc. Heck my current family doctor worked for years as a walmart stocker and then PSW before he got his license to practice. I myself worked as a security guard, walmart backroom worker, , call centre and a welder's handman before I got my breakthrough. The most important thing is to keep your eyes on the goal and not getting distracted. God will keep guiding you in the right direction bro.

Note:
For guys that have regulatory exam(s) to write. The best survival jobs out there will be night shift security or PSW. It gives the chance to study while at work. It also helps in getting paid at the same time to cater for the crazy bills.

Obtay:
Hmmmm,
Thanks for this.
Just part of the reasons we are still staring at that COPR till date.We really need to come prepared,psychologically,emotionally wise.It might be a huge financial drop for us (considering we really are doing okay here )till we balance back but we are trying to look beyond the financial gains and focus on other benefit.Hopefully we summon the courage to soon.It is well.

One key thing that keeps crossing my mind is,if we decide to send kids abroad to school when they are of age(to say my kids are just 5yrs and 6yrs now).How are we sure we will still be financially fit then to pay the huge fee as international student? especially going with the way naijas economy is going and who knows what tommorw really holds.Then case of security challenge these days(heartbreaking)
..
Sorry to bother you all with my thoughts,,just alot running through my mind.

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May God direct us all aright.

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jjohndoe83:
einsteino,
I pray for you from my heart that God almighty will bless you and cause his face to shine on you and show you mercy in all that you do. Amen.

I have been so enlightened by your posts and its time to brace up for the next few years of my life! I would love to be your friend (they say friendships don't start this way, but who cares?).

Your post is the realistic eye-opener that I've been yearning for in all my permutations about coming to Canada. I have to do more research and prayerfully consider this.

Salford1,I thank you very much too. You have been consistent and supportive. God bless you richly. Amen.

Oga Topsmamen, kindly help us create a hyperlink to this discussion on page 1. Thank you.

Folafikemi:
What's PSW pls and as a Logistics supervisor in Nigeria with good knowledge of IT support, what part can I switch to on the survival job pls bro.

cychristaa:
Thanks alot. One last question please. If I open a USD chequing account and send USD, won't they still have to convert to CAD each time I want to use it?

amdman:
The earliest time to make the move is today, particularly if you will eventually have to make it. The younger you are, the easier it usually is to integrate into this community. And if you are past 30yrs, I would advise not moving to the quiet countryside. Throw yourself into the main centers of action in your preferred province. Once you settle, there is always a quiet suburb around the major cities to move to (if calm and quiet is your thing).

And if cost of living is your major reason for avoiding the GTA, discount that.

My opinion.

Topsmamen:
Agreed. This is a rich and informative post I would recommend to anyone. I read and digested every word and have learned a great deal. @einsteino: the way you so beautifully write makes me feel like I was just born yesterday. Many thanks for this piece.

@joo2018: please can we have this on page 1? Folks need to see this. Thanks.

salford1:
You don't need to go searching for survival jobs except you really need to i e you haven't been able to get a professional job within a set time and bills are beginning to pile up . Logistics or IT jobs are easier to find since they are not regulated. Just have an open mind and be prepared to go anywhere. Sometimes, very good jobs are easier to find when you move away from large urban centres.
PSW: Personal support workers or health care aides, care givers etc
In bigger cities, due to stiff competition for those jobs, you would likely be required to hold a certificate of 4 to 5 month long training as an health care aid from a local college.

https://bowvalleycollege.ca/programs-courses/health-and-wellness/health-care-aide

In Alberta, the program is about to be made 2 terms of 4 months i.e 8months. Bow Valley currently has an 8months long waitlist. There was no waitlist for the program about 4/5 years ago. Other private colleges like ABES or Columbia also offers such programs. Those ones might have a shorter waitlist.

However smaller cities employers would waive that requirment while expecting you to learn on the job. It's one of the better paying and easy survival jobs especially for those preparing for regulatory exams.

salford:
Interestingly, a lot of guys that have attained high level of position in Crude oil companies hardly live here.
They just leave their kids here and visits once in a while.
They have expensive homes and their kids are usually in private schools here in Canada.

I don't know for how long they can continue to do that that though.

Einsteino mentioned that:

"Footnote: Canada is a leveler, so it is easy to to think we are all the same as immigrants from Nigeria and such we can extrapolate off anyone's case. This causes some people to erroneously tow a path because XX who is an immigrant from Nigeria just like them is doing it, without knowing jack about why it is okay for XX to and may not be okay for them. A good number of people here still have businesses, investments or spouses in naija that funds their living expense here, some came with fat savings"

Francent:
.

Folafikemi:
@Salford bro, u have really melt my weeks of deep thoughts as to how and what to do getting there been a new environment. Thanks brother. I really appreciate this.

Brokenvessels:
Hi @salford1, is your wife a pharmacist?

Francent:
Chief, I am not talking about people that can afford the kind of life you stated above(@crude oil company. Lol). I am taking of ppl who cannot afford it but.... you know the rest

salford1:
Yes.


Still haven't met ex Nigerian managers that raise their shoulders here. Maybe because Canada humbles people. It is good to be good anyway because that junior colleague might be the one that God would use to help in networking on arrival in Canada.

Bracha:
So you're single? Hmmm
Yes, that's all I got from that very informative post.

bLacKGoLd3:
Now, that's what I'm talking about!!! Go, girl!
Don't let anyone try to talk down on your game - you spotted it and loaded your gun, ready for the shot .

Brother Einstein, do you read me (her, I mean )?
And, oh, that was a great post too.

Over!

bLacKGoLd3:
Now, that's what I'm talking about!!! Go, girl!
Don't let anyone try to talk down on your game - you spotted it and loaded your gun, ready for the shot .

Brother Einstein, do you read me (her, I mean )?
And, oh, that was a great post too.

Over!

Started packing our bags a couple of days to our flight. Flight was I think exactly one month from PPR, worked until 2 weeks to flight, did almost all shopping, then travelled to go see family. By the time we got back we had only about 3 days. Friends kept warning me that packing won't be so easy o, and I kept telling them, no be my fault say PPR no quick come o.

Morning of flight we finally concluded our packing. I had been weighing stuff all along, so just kept moving stuff around till all bags were less than 24 kg. Hand luggage varied from 10-16kg. Flight was at 1.50, we left the house behind schedule. Got to the airport, check-in was smooth except that one bag suddenly disgraced me by weighing more than 24kg. Was ignored by the guy sha. Wrapped our two Ghana must goes and our canvas suitcase (costs 1k per bag}. Then hubby went back to say bye to our fam and came back. And then I went to say goodbye and came back. We went separately instead of lugging our hand luggage back out.
1. Ethiopian air Abuja is in the spanking new terminal
2. I was asked for my fit to fly. The person who asked did not even know what to expect but I had the right document, had gotten it from ET by email. (Document was returned to me on air and I was asked again at Addis).

By the time we finished customs, immigration and security we were the second to last passengers to board. Immigrations abi na customs asked me to declare, I declared less than 10k. She then gave me declaration form to fill lol. Long and short after fooling herself she was now like we should give her something lmao. Me na only 200 naira dey my wallet. I told her to take and buy malt she said she won't collect that I should give her 5 dollars. I told her no vex but dollars wey dey my wallet na to sort out my pikin belle while in transit. She was like hubby no get anything? Me I sha told her its 200 or nothing and na so the matter pass. My 200 still with me as I'm typing this. Immigration tried similar stunt but immediately dem start I just squeeze face, ask for where I fit siddon. I no just give those ones chance at all... Put them in their place like this (click click).
1. first line security took my palm oil but I no mind
2. second line security did not want to allow me take my baby's yoghurt and caprisonne but na God get power.

So us and last family finally boarded. Before we finished stowing our luggage plane don already dey roll. Moved at 1.25 instead of 1.50. There was a glitch and we hadn't been able to check in online, so hubby and I were separated. Baby and I in middle row and hubby in side row. The man seated beside baby and i was very irritated at having a tot beside him and changed seats. Ope o, see enough sleeping space for us!

First stop was Ndjamena. Some people got off, others got in but flight was still not full. Plane was comfortable but suspicious turbulence almost throughout. Also all landings and take-offs were rough. I just feel like the plane or pilot had an issue sha. There was in-flight entertainment but very poor selection for toddlers.

Hubby and I drew up our game plan for Addis airport... He carried two bags, big boy and one roll on while I pulled two roll ons. We were also very fast getting off the plane. Soon as we stepped into the Bole airport we trudged off like soldiers in the direction of our next flight. Handled security like pros and got to the gate just in time to be first to board as per priority passengers (family with young child(ren)). Note that we arrived Addis maybe 10.50 and flight to yyz was 11.30 or so...
1. The lady who checked our boarding passes forgot to return them to us. Thankfully immediately we realised, we walked back to ask for them rather than assume she was in the right.

Flight to yyz was smooth but less legroom and flight took FOREVER. Stop in Dublin as usual. Finally we got to Toronto. I actually enjoyed the food. ET feed us so tay we tire. They were even waking us up to give us food. Sometimes my baby won't have finished current round, next round already knocking at the door. Toilet on flight from Abuja was way better than on the long haul flight. Long haul toilet was already smelling even before we boarded. Big boy was fascinated by the plane toilets and their flush system so we visited the loo virtually every other hour (whenever he was awake). It was indeed a horrible something for me.
1. Ensure you fill your declaration forms before landing. They'll be handed out on the plane.
2. Fill your goods to follow on the correct form. Print it out in Nigeria and have two copies. Will save you a lot of time.
3. If Toronto isn't your final destination please skip the welcome to Canada booth. Not useful.

In the end we spent about 4 hours for landing procedures. SIN was the slowest followed by customs. Main landing was very fast but the guy did not tell us welcome to Canada sha.

We went to pick up our luggage, conveyor belt was virtually empty at this point. We loaded all 9 pieces of luggage, two jara bags and toddler unto two trolleys. Hubby pushed one, I pushed one and we went up to check them into our 4.50pm flight (we arrived yyz 8.30am so basically an 8hr layover).

After checking in the check-ins we joined our friend who'd been waiting at the airport since 10. Nice reunion. We all then took an uber to chill and eat at a mutual friend's place in town. When we got there we even showered. It was so much fun catching up! We were supposed to leave for airport by 3 but by the time we finished snapping pix etc we were again running late lol.

Took another uber back, entered hyper efficient mood again and got to our gate just in time. Security check was TOUGH and this time my caprisonne and yoghurt did not make it. Even baby's water bottle was emptied.
1. Watch how you pack your hand luggage. Know exactly where toiletries, laptop and any stuff you'll need to bring out are. in short know where everything in your hand luggage is because all three securities (Nigeria, Addis, YYC ) asked us to bring out random stuff.
2. Teamwork rules for speed. Don't leave every some type of tasks for hubby and every some type of tasks for wifey. Work out whatever will guarantee speed and keep switching roles as required!

We boarded, again priority. A tiny plane relative to all those we had be taking. Entertainment wasn't working. Me, I just closed my eyes and slept. Did not wake up until we were almost in Calgary. I had called my folks while in TO to confirm rendez-vous point, rather than be at the mercy of airport Wi-Fi.

After our long, 30+ hour flight, we finally arrived. Everything so surreal to me. Zero excitement, zero apprehensiveness. Even me tire for myself. I enjoyed seeing my friends. Was happy to see my family. But just this numbness about the move overall.

We strolled out to baggage claim and received the most wonderful welcome from our folks. For the first time since we left abuja I was officially an iya ejima again and didn't have to lift a finger � everything was handled by everyone else. We went home, etc.

Next day went to a settlement agency at nearest library, useless. Tried to register for healthcare, were told we need proof of address. Went to open account to get proof of address, were unable to for lack of appointment. Made an appointment for the Monday after.
1. If i had known, I would have booked my bank appointment while I was still in Nigeria. I could have done this while in Nigeria

Nigerian church on Sunday, but i was quite ill and couldn't enjoy it. Monday immigration settlement employment counsellor appointment, then bank accounts. Went with RBC. Got 2k credit card which is yet to arrive, and temporary cards that can only work in their branches. Was convinced to open a dollar account. Registered for healthcare. Tuesday rested. Big boy was alarmingly ill even though he had concluded his malaria medication so we took him to emergency in the evening even though we had no healthcare numbers yet.
1. We should have registered at a bigger registry that would have instantly provided us with the healthcare numbers.

We were well attended to without the numbers, simply showed our landing papers (Alberta Children's Hospital). In short they then found is details on the system and gave us his number. We were there for about six hours, left at almost 2am with the good news that he tested negative to malaria. I had already started wondering how I would cope if he was quarantined.

Wednesday CCIS appointment, both settlement and employment. The employment appointment was top-notch, the lady really knows her stuff. Was most disappointed in the settlement counsellor. Went to get our phones in the evening. Freedom said they need credit card history. We finally took chatr no strings attached. Thursday registered with family doctor. Friday went for the lab tests prescribed by doctor.
1. There are long wait times everywhere, but I remain fascinated by the QUALITY of care we are getting for FREE.

Guys, I'm currently in the North-East and it's very okay. Sincerely, nobody has the right to sit down in Nigeria and diss the North-East. People are suffering because they say they can never live here lol, based on bad things they've heard. My people, NE is cleaner and safer than Asokoro (the most expensive quadrant in Abuja). I can understand if someone living in Canada is turning up their nose at the area. But say you dey come from naija, come dey select dey disadvantage yourself base on say na this NE quadrant get cheapest rent and generally easy to move around and find Nigerian churches (support system tins) etc... I heard of someone who arrived this week, had acquaintances in the NE but insisted on going to pay for air bnb in the SW. Nobody was willing to volunteer to drive all the way SW so the newcomer family were sha on their own and had to take uber.
1. Support system goes a long way here. Do your best to stick where you can get help.

Like everyone before me has said, money goes very fast here. Have a plan. Driving is indeed desirable. A place 6 minutes away when driving becomes 26 minutes by bus, the transport system is extremely inefficient when compared to Europe (or even Abuja?). They don't really have a subway or real light-rail system it's definitely a tram because i never see train wey dey stop for traffic light before sha.

Me, I just look forward to sleeping all through tomorrow. It's been a long week.

CanadasGOAT:
But from the little life has taught me in this Naija. This Canadian PR journey is totally worth it

amdman:
Thank you so much for your frankness. One must have a balanced expectation before making the sojourn into these lands. To me, the best survival jobs are those with late/night shifts, leaving the day free for you to attend to your job search/interviews. Taking too many excuses to be off work can get you fired.

The issue of 'Who know man' is real. That you are referred/recommended by someone can be the tipping point in deciding whether or not to employ. This can sometimes be understandable when you view the issue from the employer's lenses. For example, my employer will spend over $20,000 to train me over the next 3 months, yet they don't have a guarantee that I will be there by the end of this year. A recommendation from their reliable employee therefore helps them to form an opinion and make the hiring decision. However, that is not to say 'who know man' is the only way... afterall I wasn't recommended by anyone.

From the foregoing, abeg... make we dey help fellow Nigerians. If you work in a structured organization, help other Nigerians to get in (yes, they are qualified)... as other nationalities are helping themselves. While it's easy to help those we know, let's also remember to help those that are not so known. Put in a good word on their behalf, go out of your way to find opportunities for them.

If you have landed and are interested in the financial services industry, PM me.

Topsmamen:
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Thanks.

einsteino:
PART 2 of My RAMBLINGS
passionate about the job.

laminaria:
Pls house any Nigerian whatsup group in Alberta, specifically Edmonton that I can join?

mepconsultant:
Hello Bro, can I send you a PM?

AdetonaDami:
Please I need more info about getting certifications and License as an engineer as I am one.
I'm pre ITA tho but gathering information now is not a bad idea pls help

MummyJaygirls:
Pls send me a mail

CanadasGOAT:
You can send me a pm