I asked PB – the other day – why do you think people migrate? is it because they think it’s better quality of life? or a change of life? or is it love? or better future – as they call it – as in better work environment and better opportunity? I’ve often been emailed by people from all over the world asking about the quality of life in Canada and how do one get migrated to Canada? Can you find jobs easily?
These are just a few questions I’ve been asked pretty often – what they also failed to ask is the weather, the food! the people acceptance of someone from another country. I too, never thought about this – when I first arrived in Canada. For me – it’s all in the name of love – after having Chloe – i didn’t feel it was right – to move her back to Singapore – because she has grandparents and extended family here. I am hoping to give her a “real” family – alas, we work too much and so does her grandparents. The extended family we rarely see – nor keep in touch – because they have their own life and so do we. I don’t have many friends here and those that I’ve come to call friends – are actually customers of the store that turned into friends. I can’t just up and take a public transport here for a quarter and head for the mall – because public transport is only one bus – and it cost like $2 to take a ride to designated spots. Cab rides are expensive – and even if it was a 5 minutes ride – it would cost me $6.50 – which I’m too el cheapo to pay. So I wait for PB to be available to send me to the mall – which is usually in a hurry to get the necessities.
We haven’t gone to the city for months now – because the store is so busy – and to think of going home – without some trustworthy help – is almost impossible. The winter is long here – and if you are thinking of looking for a job here – that might be better than home – you have to really think long and hard. Depending on where you are from – yes ! some jobs could be better – but then you are also giving up on your food and all sorts of entertainment that you can get cheap back home. There are pros and cons of course in everything – the grass is not always greener on the other side. My advice to anyone who wants to migrate – is to make sure you can get the kind of food you need in the province you are staying in. Be prepared to wait for a job as long as a year – and make sure you have family and friends around you or nearby. Unlike myself, I have no one to turn to – except PB – when I was ill or needed help with Chloe. So yes! having Asian family and friends nearby is very important – and so is the food.