Sheldon
7th July 2009, 09:31 PM
The post below was written by a South African who is now in Canada. It provides some interesting perspectives on immigration, albeit from a South African/Canadian slant. I found it useful. I hope some others find it useful too.
I'm extremely happy here in Canada, or specifically Vancouver, it’s the pinnacle of beauty, security and all things good to me.
I could never imagine any South African being unhappy in Canada.... but unfortunately some are, no matter how much is going for them.
HONEYMOON
Some South African’s come on LSD trips, are completely star struck and want to get here right away.
With all the pain and difficulty's associated with getting into Canada , the paperwork the important things are forgotten.
Some just want to buck South Africa, get out ...come hell or high water.
Not realizing the true impact and difficulty's - the reality's.
LEAVING SOUTH AFRICA.
I have a friend who joined us here, also star stuck; he received a lot of help.
Did not have to do it on his own, had expert guidance, perhaps too easy I fear...
Unfortunately the honeymoon did not last for long, as the realities of life kicked in.
For one his spirit remained in Africa.
Everything slightly bad in Canada was compared to everything great in South Africa.
Anything that did not go his way became a Canada bashing session.
I have seen this before, some people honestly thinking that Canada has no right to falter in anyway.
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Although Canada could not even cough against the crime rate in South Africa, example - you can sleep with your doors open, crime does sometimes happen.
Not often but does, don’t bash Canadians just because something bad happens, they get just as upset as you would, even more so as it’s a rare thing here.
ADVICE.
Appreciate and LISTEN to the advice of your South Africa brothers and sisters who have gone ahead of you, which have charted your path ahead of your journey, they most likely did not have it as easy as you are having it charting unknown waters.
They will support you, but don't expect them to be Canada's advocates and have to put up with your complaints when your hearts not in it.
LISTEN
If you are told you going to have to start all over again, that's what it means!
It’s not going to always go your way - in the beginning it will be tough, tougher than you think.
Keep things simple - if you told to buy second hand goods to start... then do so.
Don't outfit your home with the latest and greatest or purchase a brand new car the moment you land, just to impress or because you won’t stoop that low, and then complain how tight the money is.
Unless you have the means to do so, this is not the time to impress anyone.
KNOW WHERE YOU GOING
Know where you going, and listen before going there.
Canada is huge, no really huge !
From snowy ice caps, rain forests to deserts.
FT MC Murry is not Vancouver, for some it’s a bog for others it’s the money - know what you want.
For the more scenic places like Vancouver... sure everybody wants to live in paradise even some Canadians wish they can afford the West coast.
Be prepared to cough up, its not a problem for many who live here, your up against them too, if everybody could afford to buy a house in Vancouver
They would all be stacked on top of each other.
So unless you are really a "go getter" with ambition your going to be eaten.
I firmly believe.. second to already having the money, ambition will keep you above the bottom feeders and you will be ok
But slackers beware.
THE UNIONIZED AND INSTITUTIONALIZED SOUTH AFRICAN -TAKE NOTE.
Working for Anglo, Debeers or Telkom was tough hu?
Hitting the 'real-world' is a whole new experience (no disrespect meant - I'm a past institution person)
The transition is tough and doing it over-sea's even tougher.
If you have grown used to being told what to do, never had to pay your own house bills or rent, this will be a reality check.
Don't expect your typical Canadian company to baby sit you.
Things are sometimes different find out before you bark...Saying "well in South Africa...we…" will not win you any respect it’s NOT South Africa.
FAMILY
Very few people really think about this...
You’re used to grandma baby sitting the kids, the Sunday lunches and so on.
You are not going on a Vacation you are immigrating.
The reality is that it will be a good few years before you ever see your family again, for some members possibly... never.
Sure sponsorship, this process can take years.
Ok so frequent holidays back to SA?
Consider that Canada is about as far away from Sa as you could possibly get.
A visit back home could set you back about 80 000 Rands for a family of 4 we not even talking car rental and other costs, so possibly 100 000 Rands.
So... you have a lot to think about before you just jump on the plane all blazing.
You have to make up your mind your family or the relatives.
DRAWING THE LINE
You have to draw the line before you leave SA.
Looking forward not back.
Even if you do end up going back, it will be because you had too, not because you failed.
You cannot immigrate planning to come back to SA, unless you are genuinely on a temporary assignment.
You have to say I AM NOW A CANADIAN yet also being proud of being an EX South African.
IN CONCLUSION - MY FEELINGS
To be absolutely honest, I am extremely happy, I feel like I am living in a dream and I have been here for a while.
Everyone has his or her own reality, Bc has been extremely good to us.
Yes it would just be Navana if we could have all our family here too, and some of the little things we miss.
Would I go back?...Never ...I am pretty sure the South Africa I loved and cherished 'are' but ghosts of my past… it will never be the same.
I would far better remember it the way it was, then trying to convince myself I can re-live it again and live it successfully.
I find it extremely sad that some would squander the privilege of coming to live in Canada and then want to go back, when things get difficult and have hardly begun.
(we are not talking about those who have tried against all odds)
If you are considering coming to Canada but wont let go of SA, your are setting yourself up to fail.
Leave this for those who would sell a kidney to get here.
Not only will you never be happy, but this will rub off on those around you.
Don't immigrate if you merely running away from your problems - they will follow you.
Immigrate to find new shores and put down foundations, else the wind will blow you away.
I'm extremely happy here in Canada, or specifically Vancouver, it’s the pinnacle of beauty, security and all things good to me.
I could never imagine any South African being unhappy in Canada.... but unfortunately some are, no matter how much is going for them.
HONEYMOON
Some South African’s come on LSD trips, are completely star struck and want to get here right away.
With all the pain and difficulty's associated with getting into Canada , the paperwork the important things are forgotten.
Some just want to buck South Africa, get out ...come hell or high water.
Not realizing the true impact and difficulty's - the reality's.
LEAVING SOUTH AFRICA.
I have a friend who joined us here, also star stuck; he received a lot of help.
Did not have to do it on his own, had expert guidance, perhaps too easy I fear...
Unfortunately the honeymoon did not last for long, as the realities of life kicked in.
For one his spirit remained in Africa.
Everything slightly bad in Canada was compared to everything great in South Africa.
Anything that did not go his way became a Canada bashing session.
I have seen this before, some people honestly thinking that Canada has no right to falter in anyway.
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Although Canada could not even cough against the crime rate in South Africa, example - you can sleep with your doors open, crime does sometimes happen.
Not often but does, don’t bash Canadians just because something bad happens, they get just as upset as you would, even more so as it’s a rare thing here.
ADVICE.
Appreciate and LISTEN to the advice of your South Africa brothers and sisters who have gone ahead of you, which have charted your path ahead of your journey, they most likely did not have it as easy as you are having it charting unknown waters.
They will support you, but don't expect them to be Canada's advocates and have to put up with your complaints when your hearts not in it.
LISTEN
If you are told you going to have to start all over again, that's what it means!
It’s not going to always go your way - in the beginning it will be tough, tougher than you think.
Keep things simple - if you told to buy second hand goods to start... then do so.
Don't outfit your home with the latest and greatest or purchase a brand new car the moment you land, just to impress or because you won’t stoop that low, and then complain how tight the money is.
Unless you have the means to do so, this is not the time to impress anyone.
KNOW WHERE YOU GOING
Know where you going, and listen before going there.
Canada is huge, no really huge !
From snowy ice caps, rain forests to deserts.
FT MC Murry is not Vancouver, for some it’s a bog for others it’s the money - know what you want.
For the more scenic places like Vancouver... sure everybody wants to live in paradise even some Canadians wish they can afford the West coast.
Be prepared to cough up, its not a problem for many who live here, your up against them too, if everybody could afford to buy a house in Vancouver
They would all be stacked on top of each other.
So unless you are really a "go getter" with ambition your going to be eaten.
I firmly believe.. second to already having the money, ambition will keep you above the bottom feeders and you will be ok
But slackers beware.
THE UNIONIZED AND INSTITUTIONALIZED SOUTH AFRICAN -TAKE NOTE.
Working for Anglo, Debeers or Telkom was tough hu?
Hitting the 'real-world' is a whole new experience (no disrespect meant - I'm a past institution person)
The transition is tough and doing it over-sea's even tougher.
If you have grown used to being told what to do, never had to pay your own house bills or rent, this will be a reality check.
Don't expect your typical Canadian company to baby sit you.
Things are sometimes different find out before you bark...Saying "well in South Africa...we…" will not win you any respect it’s NOT South Africa.
FAMILY
Very few people really think about this...
You’re used to grandma baby sitting the kids, the Sunday lunches and so on.
You are not going on a Vacation you are immigrating.
The reality is that it will be a good few years before you ever see your family again, for some members possibly... never.
Sure sponsorship, this process can take years.
Ok so frequent holidays back to SA?
Consider that Canada is about as far away from Sa as you could possibly get.
A visit back home could set you back about 80 000 Rands for a family of 4 we not even talking car rental and other costs, so possibly 100 000 Rands.
So... you have a lot to think about before you just jump on the plane all blazing.
You have to make up your mind your family or the relatives.
DRAWING THE LINE
You have to draw the line before you leave SA.
Looking forward not back.
Even if you do end up going back, it will be because you had too, not because you failed.
You cannot immigrate planning to come back to SA, unless you are genuinely on a temporary assignment.
You have to say I AM NOW A CANADIAN yet also being proud of being an EX South African.
IN CONCLUSION - MY FEELINGS
To be absolutely honest, I am extremely happy, I feel like I am living in a dream and I have been here for a while.
Everyone has his or her own reality, Bc has been extremely good to us.
Yes it would just be Navana if we could have all our family here too, and some of the little things we miss.
Would I go back?...Never ...I am pretty sure the South Africa I loved and cherished 'are' but ghosts of my past… it will never be the same.
I would far better remember it the way it was, then trying to convince myself I can re-live it again and live it successfully.
I find it extremely sad that some would squander the privilege of coming to live in Canada and then want to go back, when things get difficult and have hardly begun.
(we are not talking about those who have tried against all odds)
If you are considering coming to Canada but wont let go of SA, your are setting yourself up to fail.
Leave this for those who would sell a kidney to get here.
Not only will you never be happy, but this will rub off on those around you.
Don't immigrate if you merely running away from your problems - they will follow you.
Immigrate to find new shores and put down foundations, else the wind will blow you away.