Feel so unhappy after moving to Canada

[DanSlh]

Thanks for your words, Panamai.
We are really thinking about Toronto or Vancouver in a near future.
It was just a bad surprise when I came here. I was never in Canada before, neither for a visit.
But I will try to do my best to be happy, anyway!

 

[keesio]

Panamai - I recall hearing some news about removing the barriers for US trained nurses to get licensed in Canada. I don't remember much details however (or if the plan ever got implemented). But it is worth checking out.

 

[Panamai]

Panamai - I recall hearing some news about removing the barriers for US trained nurses to get licensed in Canada. I don't remember much details however (or if the plan ever got implemented). But it is worth checking out.

Yeah, they made it easier for US nurses with bachelor degrees by adopting the NCLEX-RN test. Now, an RN with a four-year degree in the US can basically just trade their license for an Ontario (or whatever province) one, as long as the college of nurses approves their degree program. Practical nurses and RNs with a two-year associate degree are still screwed, although I believe two-year trained RNs can still get licensed as RPNs in Ontario. I really wish I had gotten my BSN sooner. I was working on it before I moved, but had only finished the first 3 semesters. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get me advanced placement in an Ontario BSN program.

 

[triple p]

I am a Canadian and feel so sad for all the hardships you are going through. I think it must be a culture shock and you just need to give it more time. I grew up in Canada, but it was a huge shock when I started as a teacher-on-call in Vancouver (from a small town). After a few months, I got a really great teaching job and more education (SPED Masters). My advice to you is Canada is a wonderful place and try it out a bit longer. I love my home. I also do not know much about Montreal, but in BC (Vancouver area) people are very tolerant and open-minded. Please take care of yourself and get out of the house as much as you can - volunteer, excercise, network.

 

[keesio]

Yeah, they made it easier for US nurses with bachelor degrees by adopting the NCLEX-RN test. Now, an RN with a four-year degree in the US can basically just trade their license for an Ontario (or whatever province) one, as long as the college of nurses approves their degree program. Practical nurses and RNs with a two-year associate degree are still screwed, although I believe two-year trained RNs can still get licensed as RPNs in Ontario. I really wish I had gotten my BSN sooner. I was working on it before I moved, but had only finished the first 3 semesters. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get me advanced placement in an Ontario BSN program.

Ah ok. Sorry. Such a pain! My wife (we) had to spend thousands of dollars just to get her Physiotherapist degree/experience from the US recognized in Ontario, pay for the 2 exams she had to take to get licensed, and for other various fees. She was very frustrated with the whole process but it turned out well for her at the end. Hang in there!

 

[scylla]

You are not the only one.
You miss your job. I miss my freedom.
I love the fact that I finally am with my wife, but neither I nor her, likes the way people treats us here.
Just because we have lots of tattoos and piercings, and my hair is very long, we're seem like animals.
She have her job, I still working with the same company I used to work for the past five years, but still really sucks when the government takes 34% of my payiment.
Theses days I was walking and an old lady made a "cross sign" when she saw me and said "you need a priest".
Everyone here wants to know about what the couple next door is doing.
I don't know if this happens in all places in Canada, but here, in Montréal, it happens a lot.
We are seriously thinking about going back to our home country. The only problem is her family. We don't want them away from her. We will give a shot, a year or two and will see how things will develop. But now, I really hate this place.

I agree with kessio. Maybe you should consider moving? I live in downtown Toronto and people with your appearance are the norm. You have to work a lot harder than that to stand out.

 

[Ineffable]

When I'm walking in downtown, as Keesio said, it's a bit better.
No one give a ... not even a small looking.
I tought it would be like "multi cultural open minded" just as you guys are saying, but I was wrong.
Maybe if we try in a different city things don't go this way.
I'm trying not to be negative and still trying to help members of this forum not sharing this experience.
But I'm really, really sad about people in real life here.

I wish you were in Toronto, DanSlh! We could totally hang out! I'd like to think that maybe a different city would be better, but I'm not sure where you are in Quebec. I simply know the atmosphere here in Toronto is different than that in Montreal even.

To the Original Poster:

I haven't received my PR, but I've been here off and on for most of this year, and I've been really struggling with it myself—especially not working and having a routine. I left my friends and family, my job, and everything everyone else has sacrificed to move up here. What's more is that I have seasonal affect disorder (SAD) where I get depressed in the winter. I'm from Florida where we have sunshine year-round, so having snow 5-6 months of the year is unbearable for me.

You're not alone, and you're not the first person to feel this way. The silver lining in that is many people have experienced this struggle and come out on top of it.

I know that one thing that helps me is to have something planned every day, even if it's something simple like going for a walk or doing a basic errand. Routine tends to help me regulate my feelings. I can't volunteer on a visitor visa, but I totally would if I could. Once I have PR I'll absolutely be volunteering within my local area to hopefully feel more apart of it and meet people around me.

My hope is that once you do manage to find a job of any kind that it'll help you feel more at home being surrounded by co-workers that will hopefully become friends. (The lack of translating credentials is frustrating. I'd have to go back to school to teach here in Canada despite teaching in the US and Japan.)

Hang in there. We're here if you need to talk.

 

[DanSlh]

I agree with kessio. Maybe you should consider moving? I live in downtown Toronto and people with your appearance are the norm. You have to work a lot harder than that to stand out.

I wish you were in Toronto, DanSlh! We could totally hang out! I'd like to think that maybe a different city would be better, but I'm not sure where you are in Quebec. I simply know the atmosphere here in Toronto is different than that in Montreal even.

Toronto is one of my top ones.
I'm thinking really hard, as my wife, to move to some place like this!
Actually, when I landed in Toronto, no one stare at me. Just when I reached Montreal.
When I'm visiting Toronto, we're going to drink a beer!

 

[Ineffable]

Toronto is one of my top ones.
I'm thinking really hard, as my wife, to move to some place like this!
Actually, when I landed in Toronto, no one stare at me. Just when I reached Montreal.
When I'm visiting Toronto, we're going to drink a beer!

Hell yeah! I'm holding you to it!

And if you're in Montreal, then enough said.

Do you speak any French?

I've been to Montreal a few times, and I always feel harshly judged just on not being able to speak French alone. I think it's beautiful, and I love many aspects of it, but I feel like I personally would have a really hard time assimilating in Quebec on whole.

Totally give me a holler when you're planning on coming to TO, however. My wife and I will take you and your wife around and show you what TO has to offer.

 

[DanSlh]

Hell yeah! I'm holding you to it!

And if you're in Montreal, then enough said.

Do you speak any French?

I've been to Montreal a few times, and I always feel harshly judged just on not being able to speak French alone. I think it's beautiful, and I love many aspects of it, but I feel like I personally would have a really hard time assimilating in Quebec on whole.

Totally give me a holler when you're planning on coming to TO, however. My wife and I will take you and your wife around and show you what TO has to offer.

Looks like Montreal does have a fame, huh?! lol

I speak a little, I'm studying and improving step by step.
You know, I'm just showing this thread to my wife and she completelly agree.
She's been living here since she was 12 (she's 21 now) and hate this place by the people's judgement.
We are very interested in the idea of travel to Toronto for a few days, looks lot better than here!
I'll let you know, for sure!
Thanks a lot

 

[MaryLou6]

I very well understand your situation, especially in regards to the transition to the Canadian work force. I'm a fully qualified lawyer in my home country and here I obviously couldn't practice right away (civil law v common law), so I started from taking single classes at a Law Faculty, then internship, now I'm working in an amazing law firm where they treat me great! Once I have my Residency I will do the LLM common law program and then I will have to article. I already have an articling position guaranteed (that's a huge relief), but I feel your pain when you have to basically redo your whole education. It's a long and expensive process, but worth it in the end.

Try to motivate yourself! Think of it as a mountain you want to climb, where the hike is challenging and difficult, but views from to top are amazing. (I hope that doesn't sound to Hannah Montana-ish of me haha ) ;D

 

[Panamai]

Toronto is one of my top ones.
I'm thinking really hard, as my wife, to move to some place like this!
Actually, when I landed in Toronto, no one stare at me. Just when I reached Montreal.
When I'm visiting Toronto, we're going to drink a beer!

Hey, if you're driving, feel free to make a stop in Kingston for a beer with us too!

 

[Luna21]

Thanks for your words, Panamai.
We are really thinking about Toronto or Vancouver in a near future.
It was just a bad surprise when I came here. I was never in Canada before, neither for a visit.
But I will try to do my best to be happy, anyway!

Danish so sad to hear that ... I arrived here in January and its been really hard because well, i miss my husband and my family. Question: did you start the francisation? Give it some time, at first I felt so strange, still struggling but I am preparing myself to practice my profession and step by step things start getting better.

 

[DanSlh]

Yes, I'm always driving... or riding my bike!
I'll make sure to travellung to Toronto asap and will make a stop at city!

Danish so sad to hear that ... I arrived here in January and its been really hard because well, i miss my husband and my family. Question: did you start the francisation? Give it some time, at first I felt so strange, still struggling but I am preparing myself to practice my profession and step by step things start getting better.

I'll start within next two weeks.
It was hard to get a place in french classes.
My wife is teaching me french untill there.
I'm giving a chance for sure!
How are you feeling here?

 

[kriskris]

I think one thing can help people moving to Canada is to accept it as it is (with snow and long winter ;D). When you start comparing it to all the good things you had back home, it becomes a big problem. So IMO, Start enjoying all the good things Canada has to offer and things will get better.