Immigrating to Canada: Pros and Cons and Questions

Nowadays, it seems as if everyone is vying to go abroad to work and settle on better lives with better salaries. Many, in particular, are aiming for Canada, the sad part is, not everyone is cut out to go there and not everyone can survive the long process of application and job hunting. Here are some factors you need to consider before applying for immigration to Canada. Think about the positives and negatives of going to Canada and ask yourself evaluative questions to further gauge yourself.

Cons to think about

1. Physical shock: Let’s talk about the weather, with Philippines as a tropical country, Filipinos have only felt the rain and the sun and have adapted accordingly to it. Canada might give you a great surprise, with its extreme weather, especially during winter when the cold really bites and people often opt to stay at home near the fire or sip hot beverages. Prepare for it and bring your thickest coat with you, don’t forget your hat, mittens, boots and thick socks.
2. Homesickness: once you have landed in Canada and the novelty of being in a different country, experiencing the life abroad and playing in the snow have faded, you will find yourself missing home and your family, looking for familiar food and faces. Battle the loneliness and make them your strength to work harder.
3. On educational attainments: your degree, diploma and scholarships aren’t worth much in the Canada and probably won’t be honored or recognized. The standards of this country are different from the Philippines and your school name is probably unheard of here.
4. On looking for jobs: empty your mind of the notion that finding a job in Canada is easy because it’s not. You might get menial and blue collar jobs but unless you already have a job waiting for you in Canada, better brace yourself for hunting your dream job and swallow your pride if you might have to resort to lesser professions first. Anyway all jobs not involve illegal things are honorable.
5. Cost of living: it is expensive in Canada especially when you’re migrating directly from the Philippines. While the wages are higher, so are costs of food and living expenses.
6. Determination and hard work: Canada, contrary to popular belief is not an easy country for new immigrants, you have to work hard and think smart to survive in this country. All sort of people live here and it is up to you to find those who would and could aid you and avoid those who won’t. This may sound like a disadvantage to those who expect life in Canada is easy. But certainly not to those motivated to succeed with hard work.

Pros to celebrate about

1. Bigger salaries: once you have a job, you don’t need to worry too much about finances because you would be able to feed, house and cloth yourself as well as travel to and from work even with the basic salary and taxes. You just have to get the job first.
2. Government programs: the government is on your side in this one, there are so many programs and benefits the public offers, from schools to benefits to scholarships and social welfare, and as long as you comply the requirements and have passed certain requisites and standards stated by the government, you are able to avail them.
3. Company benefits: Same with the government programs, companies aside from proving you your salary may or may not also provide employee benefits. Most companies however offer healthcare, it all depends on the company first and your employee status/position second.
4. Education: Public schoolings are free up to high school. If you have kids, this is a big thing to consider.
5. Safety: Canada is relatively safe and open. They are also welcoming to different cultures and beliefs. Though there are still exceptions to these, you would find that most places in Canada are peaceful.

Once you have settled to mind that you would be going to Canada, ask yourself these questions before you proceed to application.

1. Why do you want to go to Canada? – Does it have to be Canada? Can you do it here? What’s the difference here and there and what would change if you did go to Canada? Will it be a great difference or just a slight difference?
2. What would your family/friends feel? – What would they do? Will they support your decision or attempt to change your mind? Would you be able to proceed even with their reactions to your decisions?
3. Can you live with such distance from your love ones — at least for a period of time until they rejoin you in Canada? – are you ready to miss certain momentous situations and circumstances in their life? Would you be able to live with that? Will they understand your situation?
4. Are you ready to start over a new leaf? – will you be able to go back to square one and still move on? Can you do everything all over again? Do you have the confidence, determination and courage to do it? Will you stand by your decisions? Will you rise up to the challenge of new struggles?