Now that I’ve arrived in Canada, let me tell my story.
I completed senior high school in 2015. I wasn't admitted to any of the universities in Ghana so o ended up taking some courses here and there from. Some of them were good enough to be considered a diploma so I was able to carry out my national service in 2018-2019. After that no job. Hmmmm. I applied to a thousand and 1 jobs but nada. I was living on the benevolence of family.
My auntie in Canada suggested trying for a Canadian school. So I applied to Concordia University for BSc. and got an admission last year for this year’s winter. My aunt suggested a deferral because the winters in Edmonton are brutal. I got the deferral to this year fall. Then we went ahead to apply for the study visa. Remember, I had no job or even a bank statement but my auntie’s letter of financial support was solid. We proved our relationship through birth certificates. At the time of application, my tuition deposit hadn’t been paid. I got the request to do my medicals without paying any tuition fees. The day my PPR came, I got an email from Concordia that I had won an award that will go toward some tuition fee BUT I had to pay the deposit to access my student account. My aunt then paid $5000 so we could access the student account. Truly, there was a $1000 bursary for me. Fast forward, my aunt bought the plane ticket before my passport was returned from VFS. Then I started reading stories that students aren’t allowed to enter more than 28days before the beginning of school. I even read someone’s post of how he was put on the next flight back home because he came in too early. Again, there were varied opinions about one way tickets and return tickets with most advocating for a return ticket. Mine was a one way ticket. Wwhhhaaaaattt! I panicked because i was entering Canada on 23 June, more than 2 months before school and on a one way ticket. My aunt called Canada border services and they said as long as the traveller has a valid visa, they can enter the country. The problem was with the airline. So I contacted klm and they said as long as travel requirements are met, I can travel. So I completed my ARRIVECAN and sent a copy of the receipt together with my Covid vaccine card yo klm.
My checkin was smooth. I arrived in Edmonton safely and met a nice immigration officer who only asked to see my passport and letter of introduction. No questions at all. My study permit was printed and I can work both on and off campus. No customs wahala. Everything went really smoothly and it’s only Jehovah God I give the glory to. I have finished eating my assorted vegetable rice with grilled pork and cheese cake as a dessert. Summer activities are all lined up courtesy my auntie and her family.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
I pray each one of you will also have a testimony to share in the near future. It is well
Timeline
Application submitted - 26 Jan 2022 Biometrics completed and enrolled - 28 Jan 2022 Silence, complete silence Request for medicals - 14 May 2022 Medicals completed - 17 May Medicals passed - 19 May 2022 BVL - 30 May 2022 (10am) PPR - 30 May 2022 (2pm)
Passport submitted to vfs- 1st June
Passport received - 13 June
Departure from Accra- 22 June
Arrival in Edmonton- 23 June