Moving to Canada and my Experience so Far

Hola Beauties! Deciding to move abroad is always exciting, challenging, and full of new opportunities. For many people, moving to Canada is a dream due to its stunning landscapes, diverse culture, and welcoming communities. But what is it really like once you arrive and start building your life there? In this post, I’ll be sharing my experience so far, along with the little details that make the journey unique. Whether you’re planning your own move or simply curious about life in Canada, keep reading to discover what the transition has been like.

Disclaimer: There may be affiliate links in this post. If you purchase through these links, I may make a small commission at no cost to you. 

It is essential to share these experiences, particularly if you decide to relocate to another country and begin a new life there. I hope this information helps and provides you with a better understanding of what to expect as an immigrant and what life in Canada is like.

This post is about Moving to Canada.

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Why Did I Move to Canada

I was always curious about moving to another country and learning a new language. I am originally from Colombia; as much as I love my country, I often wonder what it would be like to live in a country like Canada. This country offers numerous opportunities for immigrants and assistance.

Leaving Colombia was not an easy decision to make. I didn’t have anybody here, so I knew I would have to do everything alone. At the same time, I was excited to start a new chapter in my life.

First Days in Canada

I arrived in Canada on September 11, 2010, with a residency permit. I got a room in a house that I remember was a little bit expensive for what it was. The room was around 600 CAD, but it was located in an excellent area in Toronto.

Since it was my first time living in a different country, I didn’t care about the price; I just wanted to be safe and comfortable.

The first days were exciting; I explored the city, learned more about the country and the language, and tried to figure out everything. I’m not going to lie, but sometimes it was also lonely. I didn’t know anybody, and I was mostly by myself.

After two weeks, I decided that it was time to look for a job. The money that I had saved back home would not last forever.

I visited mall stores, applied for various positions, and was hired as a sales representative at the Levi’s Store. I had this job for about three years.

Getting a job in Canada in my field

I have a degree in Systems Engineering. Back home, I worked for an IT company as a Business Systems Analyst, so my priority was to get back on track and get a job in my field.

I’m going to be 100% honest and tell you that getting a job in my field was not easy for me. It took many years of hard work and numerous jobs that had nothing to do with my profession. In other words, I had to start all over again. This is probably the most challenging aspect of moving to Canada, and my experience so far.

I applied for many jobs, and every time I had an interview, the reason for not hiring me was that I didn’t have Canadian experience.

Every time, the interviewers mentioned that my resume was great. Still, since I had never worked for a Canadian company, they were a bit skeptical about hiring me. So, I thought, how was I supposed to gain that experience if nobody gave me a chance? 😕

In 2016, after trying various agencies for jobs, taking courses at universities to update my resume, and holding other positions such as server, barista, and call center representative, I decided to take a different approach and enroll in a full-time program with a co-op semester.

Going back to school and getting into my career field

Before moving to Canada, I worked as a System Business Analyst, so I took a post-grad course to continue my path in that field. I applied for a program at George Brown College in Toronto, and since my degree was from Colombia, I had to take an English test to be a student there, which I didn’t pass.

As a result, I had to take a series of English academic courses as prerequisites before entering the program. After six months, I was finally able to secure a spot in the post-grad program with the co-op option.

The program offered the option to finish your last semester in a paid co-op. I aimed to secure a co-op position at a bank institution, which I did 😀. We had to apply for this co-op as a regular job; the college did not provide us with assistance, so everybody in the program competed to secure a position.

I was fortunate to get an excellent company’s offer. My co-op was initially for four months, but since my performance was good, they extended it for an additional two months.

While there, I applied for various full-time positions internally and received an offer in a different area as a full-time employee. 🤗

Since then, I have advanced in my field, working for various financial institutions and currently with a position as a senior product owner.

Final Thoughts

Moving to Canada was a hard decision, and even though I had to work really hard to get where I am now, I don’t regret it. I have learned so much.

Having to start my career from scratch and taking on various jobs in areas I never thought I would work in helped me on many levels; I gained a lot of new skills and became a better person.

So, if you plan on moving to another country, remember that you might have to start from nothing. Perhaps you are fortunate, and you can get right on your path, but also be aware that you might have to work a little bit harder. However, at the end of the day, everything will pay off. 💖

I hope this article about moving to Canada and my experience so far helps you on your new journey; feel free to comment or ask me any questions. I’m happy to help you and provide more information about my experience.

Check out more About me HERE.

Love you all ❤

Adriana