This account can be perfectly described as: when life hands you lemons, just make lime pickle and take it as you won't get it in a foreign country, right? Here's an honest account of the questions I have been asked because I moved to another country. I am pretty sure no matter where in the world you move, these questions are all relatable.
Disclaimer: none of these have been fabricated.
It's human nature to seek advice from someone that has already gone through a certain experience. It adds good perspective.
It also happens to be human nature to ask one too many (unnecessary & sometimes unhealthy) questions.
I moved to Canada about 2 years ago, while I was preparing for the move, I did reach out to a couple of people that were very kind to answer a few of my questions.
Naively, I assumed everyone I know or I'm acquainted with would extend the same courtesy I did, when I needed those answers. Least did I know, once I moved here, I would be viewed as an employee of the Canadian Immigration office.
The barrage of questions still hasn't stopped. They came at different times of day, through different mediums and sometimes from people I didn't even know!!
*Drumroll*
Presenting 73 QUESTIONS, some necessary, many unnecessary!
(1) Where in Canada do you live? Mississauga? I’ve an uncle there! If you don't have an uncle in Mississauga are you even Indian?
(2)Did you hire an agent to help you with the process?
(3)How much did that agent cost?
(4) Is immigration expensive? How much did you pay?
(5) Can you tell me what your express entry score was?
(6) How long did the application process take?
(7) How much did you score in your IELTS exam?
(8) Did you take classes for IELTS prep?
(9) Did the agency offer you IELTS prep classes?
(10)All of your degrees are accepted in Canada?
(11) Do you intended on investing in a Master's program all over again?
(12)Did you get a job yet?
(13)What’s the job scene like there?
(14) The agency that you used in India, did they help you with a job search?
(15) Can you send me the job reference letters you got from your Indian workplaces?
(16) How long did it take you to get a job? 1 month? 3 months? 6 months?
(17) Where do you live? in the city? suburbs? in a house?
(18) Do you have a car?
(19) What are the rent prices in Toronto?
(20) How cold are the winters?
(21) What’s the temperature/weather like during the year?Is it bearable?
Some of the questions are unbearable... Winters, pretty bearable...
(22) XYZ has moved there too, did you meet them?
(23) Will you be studying further? or just working? Do you think that's a good idea?
(24) When will you be coming to India next?
(25) Do you and your husband live in a house or an apartment?
(26) How often do you do your groceries?
I mean...need me to pack you lunch, Bud?
(27)How much do your monthly groceries cost?
(28) How big is your apartment?
(29)How far is your work from where you live?
(30)How do you commute to work?
(31) Planning on going to the US?
(32) Did you visit Niagara falls?
(33) Did you purchase any winter wear from India?
REALLY, for -40 weather???
(34) How much did you spend on your winter jacket?
(35) Does it really keep you warm?
No, not really, I purchased it as a fashion statement.
(36) Do you have an accent yet?
(37) When do you and your husband plan on buying a house?
(38) Do you have family there?
(39) Why don’t you live with family?
(40) Do they have a house?
(41) Where do they work?
(42) So, what do you cook on the regular?
(43) Do you get any Indian spices?
(44) Are there any Indian people at your current workplace?
(45) Your Prime Minister is cute, have you met him?
I WISH!
(46) Do you work weekends?
(47) Do you have to work over-time a lot?
(48) Do you speak to your neighbours often?
(49) How did you carry money in to the country? Cheque? Demand Draft?
(50) What questions did the immigration officer ask you?
(51) Do you get your driver’s license as soon as you arrived?
(52) Have you been to IKEA there?
(53) Will your family be coming there anytime soon?
(54) Why doesn’t your sister move there?
(55) If your family comes, will they live with you?
(56) But, why did you move to Canada? Why not Australia?
(57) Have you made new friends there?
(58) Do you hang out only with people from Mumbai?
(59) When will you get citizenship?
(60) How much did your plane ticket cost to get there?
(61) How are you managing in a new country?
(62) Would you consider yourself settled now? Approx how long did it take?
(63) Did you get in through the express entry program?
(64) Do you know any places for rent near ABC University?
(65) I want to understand the Advertising industry scene, can I call?
(66) How do you travel around without a car?
I generally use my feet, public transport, uber...You can survive you know?
(67) How often do you guys go out (to restaurants)?
(68) Approximately how much do you earn in a month?
*Slow Claps*
(69) Do you volunteer anywhere?
70) Was your first coffee from Tim Hortons?
Actually, Yes!!
(71) Do you miss Indian food?
20% Chaat uncle is missed the most.
(72) What are the essentials that you carried into the country?
An attitude where I asked for help and then stuck around to keep in touch. That mainly and clothes and shoes, I guess.
(73) Which is the best route to fly when coming from India?
Phew! On one hand, some of these have been very valid questions, by people who understood time difference and I do hope I gave you satisfactory answers and helped you in whatever little way I could, on the other hand, some of these questions have just blown my mind.
Leaving you with information incase you need it, because I'm not a cruel person: Note: this info is relevant to Canada only.
Immigration Agency: Yes I used one, Y Axis (yaxis.com), they are pretty good and get the job done.
Getting into the country: If your documents are all in order, the immigration officer doesn't really ask you much at all. As for $$, you can get that into the country via a demand draft or a Forex card.
Rent Prices: Google the rent prices for the area you want to live in. They differ depending on the location, the size of the place etc. Condos.ca is a good place to start or even rentals.ca
Job: You will get a job, it’s only a matter of how you network (use LinkedIn wisely!) and present yourself and sometimes it’s just being in the right place at the right time.
IELTS: You do not really need any coaching, but you have to practice enough. You can find a ton of free practice material online.
Volunteering: If you are presented with the opportunity, PLEASE GO FOR IT! I had the opportunity to work with https://ywib.ca/toronto It was such an enriching experience!!
Advertising industry: It's thriving, 2020 has changed the landscape a little, but again like every other industry, it's adapting.
People: and yes, you will make new friends, I have met a bunch of new people that have been nothing but awesome and have added a renewed perspective to my life!
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