Hi all -
To all those waiting for the magic email or letter requesting passport(s) - Good Luck! I remember very well the sore fingers from constantly checking ECAS, posting mundane messages to pass my time instead of going stir crazy! The point is, it will come and you're all set!
I wanted to share a few things with you all for when you get here. This is, without a doubt, a beautiful country full of interesting people. But, let me tell you,it is different. It is not an extension of England, Scotland or Wales, or NI.
For instance, we do not have handguns in the UK yet the bank tellers are enclosed. Here, they do have handguns although it is not like the states, but the bank tellers are all "open"... little wickets with nothing between you and the crazy wanting to cash a welfare cheque in East Vancouver! ;D
The baked beans are not real baked beans.
Marmite costs a fortune.
In BC you cannot buy a bottle of wine with your groceries, you have to go to a licquor store and avoid the homeless person asking for change for food.... (buy him food and you have gotta run people!) PS. This even in Anmore, not East Van.
There is no equivalent of British Chocolate.
The crisps are called chips and they come in family sized bags. Do not consume these 2000 calories on your tea break.
UK education is not as important as Canadian education regardless of whether you have a phD from Cambridge in quantum physics or an Art degree from a local polytechnic.
Spelling is as different as pronunciation.
People talk loudly and ask anything they wish to know. I cannot tell you how many times I have literally spluttered!
Anyway, my point is, I have been here over a year and still I'm only just feeling that I fit in. Even with an already established group of Canadian friends, things are different. It has been hard. The cultural diversity particularly in BC is unbelievable - yes it's good but as with anywhere, there are communities that do not integrate and will not speak English or French unless to berate you. YET, there are some groups that want to integrate and these folks are pure joy.
The stiff upper lip does not work over here, loosen it before you leave!
All in all, it is great - not exactly what I expected but what ever is? But you can find yourself missing things you never thought were important and cultural behaviours you didn't know you had, or were part of.
Check out the job areas that are recruiting and make sure you have something they need otherwise it can take a while to get anywhere.
And finally, don't under-estimate the distance between you and home, because it does take time to settle here.
Mostly - GOOD LUCK!
PS. Canadians, please do not take any offence! None is intended at all.
To all those waiting for the magic email or letter requesting passport(s) - Good Luck! I remember very well the sore fingers from constantly checking ECAS, posting mundane messages to pass my time instead of going stir crazy! The point is, it will come and you're all set!
I wanted to share a few things with you all for when you get here. This is, without a doubt, a beautiful country full of interesting people. But, let me tell you,it is different. It is not an extension of England, Scotland or Wales, or NI.
For instance, we do not have handguns in the UK yet the bank tellers are enclosed. Here, they do have handguns although it is not like the states, but the bank tellers are all "open"... little wickets with nothing between you and the crazy wanting to cash a welfare cheque in East Vancouver! ;D
The baked beans are not real baked beans.
Marmite costs a fortune.
In BC you cannot buy a bottle of wine with your groceries, you have to go to a licquor store and avoid the homeless person asking for change for food.... (buy him food and you have gotta run people!) PS. This even in Anmore, not East Van.
There is no equivalent of British Chocolate.
The crisps are called chips and they come in family sized bags. Do not consume these 2000 calories on your tea break.
UK education is not as important as Canadian education regardless of whether you have a phD from Cambridge in quantum physics or an Art degree from a local polytechnic.
Spelling is as different as pronunciation.
People talk loudly and ask anything they wish to know. I cannot tell you how many times I have literally spluttered!
Anyway, my point is, I have been here over a year and still I'm only just feeling that I fit in. Even with an already established group of Canadian friends, things are different. It has been hard. The cultural diversity particularly in BC is unbelievable - yes it's good but as with anywhere, there are communities that do not integrate and will not speak English or French unless to berate you. YET, there are some groups that want to integrate and these folks are pure joy.
The stiff upper lip does not work over here, loosen it before you leave!
All in all, it is great - not exactly what I expected but what ever is? But you can find yourself missing things you never thought were important and cultural behaviours you didn't know you had, or were part of.
Check out the job areas that are recruiting and make sure you have something they need otherwise it can take a while to get anywhere.
And finally, don't under-estimate the distance between you and home, because it does take time to settle here.
Mostly - GOOD LUCK!
PS. Canadians, please do not take any offence! None is intended at all.
