₦airaland Forum

Welcome to Calgary! Great time to land. I hope you enjoy the weather while it lasts!

Hephgirl:
PART 3

SAT HI TO THE LATEST PR
IT'S A LONG READ... BRACE YOURSELF.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE IGNORE THE TYPOS

Hello, is there an alternative way to reach you? I couldn't send you a PM for some reason.

Thanks!

Tone23:
Hello again Alberta folks!

Shaw Promo for Internet is still available as follows:

Internet 300 (300 Mbps speed and unlimited data}

$38/month - 1st year
$53/month - 2nd year
Plus a $250 credit which more or less translates to about 6 months of payment-free service!

Anyone interested can contact me. This particular offer runs till 31st, May.
Cheers!

P.S - I believe I've responded to all PM's sent to me by those interested in the offer. Just in case I missed yours and you didn't get any feedback from me, you may please re-send it ASAP!

Guitarlife:
Friends please I have landed in Calgary now, I came in through Toronto and the only thing I have done is the SIN.

What other things do I need to get sorted that I have not included in this list please help.

Bank Account
Health Card
Plan to take the driving test
Go to an employement Centre ? probably ??

By the way I flew a westjet flight from Toronto to Calgary and you know what, there were only 2 black guys with more than 100 caucasians on the flight, do you know how it feels being a minority in a place ? Exactly, all eyes were on me I could feel some were even surprised I could speak English lol not really tho, but it felt really awkward.

Will I now marry a white girl ? Lawwd knows ......

Visit immigrant services Calgary. They can be of help with networking in your field and settlement generally.

Elle78:
Hi everyone, please this is a question for my Calgary people. Can I please have tips on furnishing an apartment. Most of the ads come as unfurnished...the cost of beds and sofas I saw online are crazy and will probably have a slight dent on one's Pof.

Secondly, is there anyone that's accessed grant or/and loan from Alberta student aid. What was the process like. Osap seems very straightforward than Alberta's.

On the bolded, if you just recently landed, how about visiting immigrant services in Calgary. They can provide you with basically everything you need, all for free. I know several families that have benefited from their services. From sofas, beds, pots, dining table, etc, you can get from them.

Cheers!

fatiah:
Hehehe! Already imagining my baby in this padded outfit No be small thing o

Izz like you are planning on landing in Nunavut! lol

Zeiya:
@vcole thanks.

I want to conserve our POF as much as possible, hence my question.

Is it possible to get an apartment under one or two weeks in calgary?
If I book one week, and didn't get accommodation within that period, can I still get another airbnb at a good rate? ( as the place we will be staying might have been booked by another person)

Thank you.

Hi Zeiya,

There are so many factors that could come into play when it comes to getting an apartment. Your budget, meeting a level headed agent or landlord willing to lease to a newly landed immigrant, what date of the month you land (as most apartment lease start from the beginning of the month).

Of course, i have seen people get their apartment anywhere between a week and a month (thankfully Calgary isn't as bad as the likes of Toronto when it comes to getting a place). It is best you give yourself enough time to search so you don't have to make hasty decisions that might impact the POF you are trying to conserve.

TheCongo2:
God is wonderful.
But too bad that you have dumped your fiancee after been blessed.
And this is what prompted the discussion on family
Issue to start on this thread.

salford1:
It is good to have this argument or better still discussion so people can be prepared. We can quote bible and cultural proverbs from now till tomorrow, truth is that some women will change when they come under stress or feel empowered.

What type of stress am I talking about?
Immigrants face a list of major life changes including adjusting to a new family dynamic where men are often no longer the sole providers. Many have to face being unqualified for jobs, while facing major financial pressures. Back home men were responsible for major finances, the wives were usually just supplementing the family income. Now both major finances and expenses will be bourne by both husbands and wives.

The role reversal is causing a lot conflict, parenting problems and domestic violence in immigrant families, because the whole family dynamic is changing. For some men, it's going to be a huge blow for self-esteem, self-confidence and for their masculinity as can be seen by some commenters on this thread. The stress of adjusting and creating a new life in a new and strange country can push families and relationships to boiling point. Some are working survival jobs at least till they get something better, and they're working different shifts and they may not even see each other many times. House chores would be left undone. Kids can easily be neglected too. There are also stresses when it comes to parenting, with children quickly adapting to life in Canada, often abandoning traditional values and norms. Kids are integrating much faster than parents.

When you add all this mix together, common chores will become overwhelming for the women. In Nigeria, alot of us have families around us to help, nannies, drivers, etc. Once you get to Canada, there would be no one to assist. We are often not prepared well for this.

Keeping the family as one will now depend on how well the man can adapt to these changes by deviating from cultural norms and traditional beliefs.

May God help us all.

I admire how you lay down your points without attacking personalities.

TheCongo2:
Bro, we need arguments and not abusive language.
As far as I know stupid is subjective.

Anyone who doesn't think my thoughts or speak my language is stupid.
Conversely I may be the stupid one for not thinking their thoughts or speaking their language.

You couldn't have said it any better!

vascey:
I've followed this discussion and I'm quite impressed with your candor. Not because of your point of view - no two marriages are alike so nothing is caste in stone- but more for your composure. Indeed, your opinion is yours and others should respect that. When we begin to hear people being attacked for airing their personal opinions respectfully, then that conversation is a no no. I'm very surprised that the culprits are some of our most respected contributors on this thread.

Pls @maternal and @vole, I can't attempt to disrespect either of you cos I know we have built this thread of your help and knowledge. But pls it's not okay to personally attack a person for airing his opinion and perspective. Its called cyber bullying and it's an issue that undermines whatever point you are trying to make. I understand you feel strongly about the subject and that's fine, but speaking to Guiterlife like you did is not consistent with what we know about you. It's not ok to say he's saying bulshit just because you don't agree with him. It's not okay to tell him to do and sit down for airing his perspective.

That's my 2cents.

Spot on!

laghopeful20181:
Thanks for your message,


I think we have reconciled ourselves to going with option 1 too. Our scores currently with my spouse as accompanying and my current age is 443. I don't think its wise to take the risk that the last draw of the year will fall to 440. I will go on with my current ITA with spouse un accompanying. A bird in hand....

Well, CIC shocked everyone! I hope you had changed your spouse to accompanying. All the best.

salford:
I would chip in my experience on this.


May God not let us fall ill.

I have been a silent observer on this thread for a while. I must commend the selfless efforts seen here.

@Salford, the bolded has been my prayer since the 1st time i had to go to the emergency two years ago when my wife was pregnant. After being triaged, we waited for close to 5 hours to see a doctor. I couldn't believe i was in the "emergency unit". We eventually lost the baby. It opened my eyes to the Healthcare system in Canada, precisely Calgary. It is a major challenge, the wait times, but since it is "free", most Canadians just live with it.