JustinTrudeau:
Landing gist, reader discretion is advised, long post,long post

Iyeebube:
Hello everyone, am a PR holder and i did a soft landing with my family last year and the plan is to move finally before the winter season this year. My worry is this:
I have 4 kids two sets of twins age 5 and 2. Husband’s plan is to get a job before joining us and my mom can’t go with us due to her health. Is it possible to stay alone with the kids while i go back to school?
Pls i need your candid advice.

wyzoe:
Please I need advice.

Between WES, IQAS and CES from University of Toronto, which is better for ECA (for a law degree)?

Thanks.

jaybaby2017:
Good Morning House, Please is there anyone in Prince George, Bc? I will be coming in on the 4th of September. Thanks

Iyeebube:
Hello everyone, am a PR holder and i did a soft landing with my family last year and the plan is to move finally before the winter season this year. My worry is this:
I have 4 kids two sets of twins age 5 and 2. Husband’s plan is to get a job before joining us and my mom can’t go with us due to her health. Is it possible to stay alone with the kids while i go back to school?
Pls i need your candid advice.

JustinTrudeau:
Landing gist, reader discretion is advised, long post,long post

Yours truly
Justin Trudeau

Onetwo77:


Congratulations on your safe landing.

I noticed you went to an Airbnb. Was that the address you put down at immigration?

Blackbuddy:


Hey, welcome to Canada. You came at a good time with great weather in the 6 this week. All the best ahead as you settle in.

Lol... Thanks so much oo.. Me is single ooo... unless u get person for mee

For my sanity, I completely stopped converting mbok before it weighs me down. I think the reason why i converted then was because i used my naira mastercard for my Uber. SO the debit was really serious.

So far I am getting settled in....

Thanks once again for the kind wishes

19CannyMum:
Welcome prof raphrulz. I always thought you were a family man.

Lol@flight to heaven. That flight long sha, who no go no know.

At taxi that cost 10k, that's less than 50 dollars. Uber's can easily cost 30 dollars so it wasn't that expensive. Stop converting prices to naira otherwise you go kolo.

May the land favor you.

Welcome TEE.CANN

Kenny4real68:


Congratulations! Please to the bolded, does it mean that I can go to the airport and check in a day before my departure day? Kindly explain . Thanks

I landed November 2018 – dead of winter. In hindsight, If I had known what I know today, I may have jejely spent Christmas with my loved ones. No issues at Lagos in terms of immigration, food and load. A box was slightly overweight by 2kg or so but they let me get it through with no issues. For the first time at MMIA, I didn't tip any body 1 kobo! I brought very little food stuff and labeled it clearly. I had no issues with this in Nigeria. From my observation, the officials were picking on GMG bags; those were usually a dead give away and generally regarded as foodstuff container. The immigration guys at the door were very strict though; allowing only 1 person (in some cases nobody sef) enter the airport with the traveler. So if the whole world if escorting you, bear this in mind; they may likely wait for you outside.

I used KLM and Air Canada. Lagos to Germany was smooth; and the food was okay. I got some snacks in my bag from Shoprit (no drink) so I had those ones in Lagos before boarding sef. The wait in Germany was killing and the airport cold so get a jacket or something and put inside your hand luggage if arriving in winter. Get a book, get something to keep you busy, get your charger/power bank if you wanna keep reading stuff off your phone. I had a change of clothes in Germany. I’m glad I put spare cloths in my hand luggage.
Flight from Germany to Calgary was killing. It was long, boringggg, the entertainment was okay but I was basically just tired of being in the air at this stage. However, the food was good.

I landed on a weekend so nothing could be done (SIN) on that day. On arrival, I declared I had load coming. I declared my food stuff (it was not checked) then I proceeded to another zone. It was there I got my COPR stamped and was told welcome to Canada. No one asked me about money I was carrying. I didn’t even spend up to 15 mins.

I got out and realized I was sunk, I had to call my host to come pick me up as she was not there. I contemplated taking a taxi to her place but I decided to call first. I approached a Nigerian lady (heard her speaking one of our local languages on the phone) and kindly asked if I could make a call with her phone. She obliged (may God bless this kind woman). My host lived around and was there in less than 15 mins. I later realized I could have simply connected to WIFI at the airport and made my call via WhatsApp (palm face) real JJC!

I finished my SIN, health card within a week, opened a bank account and got a phone plan at Marlborough Mall. I had issues with my phone cos it was one of those Nigerian phones that were not compatible with their SIM here. Listen, for the longest of time, I didn’t know this was the issue. I was so frustrated, I even wanted to get a phone from them (24 month contract) but they wouldn’t give me as I was new, had no job or credit history! I couldn’t browse and kept going back to the mall to complain to the store attendants (Fido) and followed their advise by calling their customer service. I was on $65 plan a month. I was even more upset when I realized I could have gotten a cheaper deal with another provider!

After the issue was not resolved, I took a stroll to another provider in the same Mall (Chatr) and complained bitterly. I just wanted to port my number, get a cheaper deal and most importantly, I wanted a SIM that could browse on my phone. They looked at my phone, put their SIM in it and told me straight up to get a cheap compatible phone at Walmart. I hissed in annoyance and relief. Thankfully, Walmart was still in the Mall so i didn't have to waka upndan. Why didn’t the Fido guys simply tell me this phone was the freaking problem? I’d gone to this darn Mall twice over this issue under the bitter cold! And each time, awon boys kept telling me to do a hard reset, call customer care and wait that I'll be able to browse at home!

And so, I got a phone of less than $100 and began to browse in peace with $45 a month plan. It was particularly important I had data on the go because I needed to use google map for my bus times during the harsh cold. You don't wanna be standing 15 mins under snow when you can arrive at your bus stop 3/4 mins before the bus comes. I only used Fido for a day or two but trust me, I got billed by them. I paid full Fido bill and Chatr bill in the first month here. Lesson learnt - local woman cried on this occasion So if you carry all those our ''sweet boy phone'' from Naija come this side and e nor gree work, now you know what to do! . I nor type name of phone oh! Guys stay woke! Do your research well before going for a phone provider, even a day of service will cost you here. No free meal in free town.

Afterwards, I decided to attend one of these agencies (immigration settlement agency) It was a good decision at least for me but I only have an advice here to give. Know what you are doing with these agencies. They are all set up to help you and they get paid by the government for doing so. Don’t go moving from one to another aimlessly. Your bills will be pilling up while you are doing that. I knew of someone who attended the workshop with us and afterwards a new class was starting in the new year (specifically geared towards her career) and she was advised to attend that one for 3 months or so. She was told there would be foundational courses and software learning in her chosen profession.

She felt sad she didn’t gain relevant information from the general class that was specifically targeted towards her profession. And in my mind, I wondered, then why did you spend a full month with us when you could have just attended the targeted one? Lesson here; do your research well! If you choose to attend such agencies, ask specific questions ‘’do you have a workshop that is specifically targeted towards HR, Accounting, IT, Engineering professionals? When does it commence? Are you aware of a sister agency running a program targeted towards IT professionals? How is it different from this one?’’

PS: Back then, we learnt of an IT opportunity done by another agency. It was going to be competitive though but this opportunity seemed good especially for those desirous of an IT career or already in one. So these guys have information which could be helpful but how would you know if you don't ask!

I knew of someone who was presented with a 6 month option in one of these agencies (with job placement sef) but he declined and decided to attend a 6-month course at SAIT in a career he was more passionate about. Of course, he has loan to pay and all but he got a job straight out of SAIT in a career he loves and is happy with today. You will be the one spending time there; and time is money! They will get paid by the government anyway so how is your time going to be beneficial to you? Be focused and target driven in your search. Are you attending a general one (for only a month or weeks) or is it specifically geared towards a particular profession? How long is it for? Do you know of anyone who graduated from such class and has a good testimony? Is there a placement at the end of the day? Is there pre/post support (I got information on how to get the much needed concessionary bus pass while I was there) and further information to help you and your family? Can you ask to see your job counselor after you've left and share concerns with him/her? Abi are they the type that will ghost you? I personally saw past clients walk in and chat with counselors and use their resources while I was there. I even got a call from my counselor months after i'd left doing a follow up call. It is a place I can walk into tomorrow and say hello. That's how welcome they made me feel there. I have nothing but good things to say about the workshop I attended.

So don’t be afraid to ask questions and break away from the norm when you are convinced it is not for you. We all came to Canada on our own and our journeys are different same as our PPR story was. If you have to get a survival job and study for your licensing exams, go for it. If another person decides to attend university so be it. If it is Bow Valley or SAIT, for a short course, go for it! Don't let anyone make you feel bad for doing a 6 month course because they say you already have a degree. Someone may choose to change career and do something totally new instead. Others will land that dream job soon after arrival while another person may simply choose to stay at home and take care of the kids while studying. Whatever you choose to do, simply do your research, be convinced, pray and carry go!

At the immigration agency, we learnt so much about school for kids, work ethics in Canada, housing, medical, benefit, rules/regulation and career information. They got a couple of HR people to come and talk with us, we got to know of positions available; some good and others not so good. Someone even got what I would term a decent job but this was just 1 person. They helped with resume and all that but they are only human; they do not promise the world though you may be tempted to think that way. You will have to look for the jobs yourself, attend your interview and give it your best even if they set up the interview for you. I would say the greatest thing I got from them was information and referral. I am glad I didn’t spend more than a month there plus I got to meet great individuals some of whom I remain friends with till this day.

I spent 2 and half months jobless (mostly under a duvet with thick socks looking for work online) before I got my first job via an agency. Did the immigration agency help in getting me this job, no they didn’t. Did the skills learnt there come in handy, I definitely think it did. After 3 months on the job, the company decided to take me on fully. It is one step towards something greater; currently working towards getting into my profession here. Phewwwww! Not easy but the journey has been worth it! Se fini

keleto:
Good day house, am about registering for my MPNP, One fear keeps coming to my mind, whenever I read of the winter temperature in Manitoba,my mind just keeps beating. I really hate cold weather, but though one can use winter jacket, I still have fear if that would be enough.
Pls can someone contribute to a way forward on this.
Thanks

Jgiga:
Good day fam, I am looking for shared accommodation in GTA. Kindly assist if you have or help out with any leads you may have. Thank you

JeRit:
Nice piece. What are the options available for those who are not license in there home country.

raphrulz:
No please. I put the address of a friend. The CBSA officer even advised me to do so too

stonecoldcafe:
Part 2

ITABABE:
. I know someone who wrote only the case study with CIMA (ICAN MRA) and converted to CPA but what is not clear is if all provinces accept this. I am still trying to confirm for Ontario

Winterpeg:

Hi,
I believe its possible to be with the kids alone since you are planning to go to school. It's going to be tough but its doable. Just get daycare for the kids. If you plan to work though then it might not be doable except you get a very flexible job.
You could pick your courses carefully and work around your kids schedule. I heard of someone that bagged a phd and did a postdoc while taking care of 3 kids. And the lady said what has helped her is that she has been consistent. She would drop off her kids by 7 in the morning and try to do her work between 8am and close between 3 and 4pm.
I have 3 and I have been with them alone and sometimes I get very tired of them. So you are the real MVP.

JustinTrudeau:
Landing gist, reader discretion is advised, long post,long post

Your favourite PM has landed o .

Yours truly
Justin Trudeau
Your PM