Let me give you my opinion. My opinion I said. I repeat ... My Opinion! [before this turns into another argument or debate].
If your motivation for moving to Canada is to get rich [or richer], then it's going to be tough on you over there. You may be disappointed. However, this is not to say a lot of our brothers/sisters have not become richer moving over there ... You must have seen the good responses from Dotsngr and Preferred ... "prepare to blend in".
It is most likely you are going to be in paid employment just like you have been here in Nigeria ... what the hell, it is the same rat race the world over, but there are differences in the quality of life. You don't have to be rich in Canada to lead a decent life (with quality), but in Nigeria you could go on complaining with your high-paying job. With your big money, you still have to queue for petrol, you still have to queue for diesel to run your big generator that will produce big noises, competing with your neighbours for who causes the most noise pollution and air pollution. No good enough roads to enjoy your nice cars (frankly a lot of us do not enjoy driving down here). What about the health care system? - you still use your big money to fly abroad to get it right. Education? - you always want to get it abroad ... even the employers in Nigeria are biased in favour of the guy with a foreign certificate. I'm sure many of us can add lots of items to this list.
Now about getting rich: it is way easier to get rich in Nigeria as long as you are willing to do "what it takes". Please do not ask me what that means. Anyway as I was saying ... In Nigeria, there are lots of shortcuts to getting rich (this is an attraction to many of us). In Nigeria, you can get away with a lot of Lawlessness (and this is what many of our brothers call Freedom - the freedom they say they miss when they live abroad in well developed societies). If money is your motivation, there is plenty of it here in Nigeria!
If your motivation is to get a better quality of life, then this is as good as guaranteed! You don't have to be rich to get it. Safe country to live in and you will have your peace of mind. You will have to work hard, but hard work pays off there ... unlike in Nigeria where shortcuts seem to be the major deal.
Personally my motivation is to get a better quality of life. Even if I earn less financially in Canada, I am sure I'd still prefer my life over there. I look forward to the opportunity of starting afresh (yes! that thing you are scared of is what I want - to start afresh!). I want to see the world (I know enough about it for me to live without seeing it). Moving over will give me better opportunities to see the world. I will have the opportunity of becoming a Canadian citizen which will further enhance my chances of actualizing my previous statement. We all know all the headaches with getting Visas on the almighty green passport - do we really think it will be the same with a Canadian passport?
Another problem some of us face is that we want to migrate physically, but do not plan to migrate our mentality. The culture is different and you have to adapt/tolerate/integrate. If you want to stick to your "Nigerian-ness" then it's best you just stay back home ... maybe just visit us in Canada on vacations only
Simplebabs, you may need to ask yourself the real pertinent question - "WHY DO I REALLY WANT TO MOVE TO CANADA?" Answer it truthfully and your decisions will be easier to take.
Once again ... my opinion! And yes I'm opinionated!
