Singaporean applicants under FSW

[maoist]

thank you mediajunkie

i like toronto better. looks like it will be easier to find jobs in toronto than vancouver.
vancouver is like a resort city - for the rich to have fun or retire - a bit like perth in australia.

but the climate in toronto is harsher.
property in toronto is affordable though.
vancouver property market is spoilt by HK speculators.

hi mediajunkie

care to share why you chose toronto, other than the fact that your parents and siblings are already there?
if they are already there, will u still go to toronto?
or will you go to vancouver or somewhere else?

thank u

I lived in Michigan (US border state from Ontario) for 8 years, so I went to Toronto quite often and am very familiar with the city. I'll go anywhere in Canada if there's a job offer, but for now I think I'll go stay with my parents for a couple of years and save up some money to buy my own place and then I'll be ready to move.

My parents chose Toronto because they find that it is more multicultural than Vancouver and property prices are also cheaper. My brother hadn't attended university yet and they felt that there were more universities there to choose from (my bro's at UT now). There is also a small Singapore-Malaysian community there. Can't compare to the number of Hongkees and mainland chinese, but they felt that it will also help them with the transition.

My uncle is probably moving to Vancouver though. My cousin is studying at UBC and his wife is from Hong Kong and she feels that she'll adapt better there. The winters are also less harsh. He makes more money than my dad so property prices don't worry him as much as it did my folks.

 

[mathu]

I applied in Sep. 06 and "In Process" status since Oct. 06. I ignored
the "option to withdraw" letter - meaning I'm still interested. The
British Council just submitted my IELTS test result to CIC.

Now, just pray and wait for medical request.

hi trans..

when did u update the documents?

buhari

 

[tran]

My documents updated in mid-August.

 

[mathu]

hi trans

when did u get the "option to withdraw" letter from CIC singapore

buhari

 

[tran]

buhari,

Early 2009; don't remember the exact date.
Did you receive similar?

 

[mathu]

hi trans....

i received in end of March ,2009 .i think i need to wait for 2-3 ,omths for DU .I am going for IELTS sep-26 .please advice me some tips.I am doing online practise in Sottsenglish .Are u in singapore ..my shop in SIMLIM square i#04-05 .if you come there we can meet up...

thanks and regards

buhari

 

[tran]

If you're taking IELTS on 26th Sep., your briefing likely will be on 21st Sep.

Listening - the beginning is the easy part(very straightforward)...the "difficult
part" is near the end(Q31-40); conversation is a bit like machinegun
fire - rat-tat-tat....

Reading - Read the questions first and then scan the passage for answers.
Don't read it like a book - you don't have the time.

Writing - For letter writing, first must decide whether it's a formal, semi-formal
or informal letter, and write/answer accordingly. At least 150 words;
you're not penalised for more words.

For Part II, essay should contain introduction, main body
and conclusion(at least 250 words).

Speaking - Always speak loud and clear in complete sentences.


I'm in HCMC...........................

 

[mathu]

hi trans

what type of doc. you submitted to claim the (adoption) points your relative there in canada?

buhari

 

[tran]

According to CIC's website, you need birth cert. to prove relationship.
My wife's aunt had lost her birth cert., and there's no record as she
is already in her mid-70s.

I just submitted photocopies of her Canadian citizenship to CIC, and
wait to see whether I can get an additional point under "Adaptability".

 

[aakash28]

Trans, you had applied on September 2006 under simplified version and got a request for document update already? That is interesting! Mine is on May 2007 and that seems interesting that i am getting closer to get a call. I also got a letter from CIC about withdrawing which i ignored.

Please update about your current status.

 

[tran]

Just received my medical request and interview is waived. CIC asked
for my Canada Police Clearance Certificate, as I studied there from 1985-88.
Anyone with similar experience to share in getting it? Thanks

 

[abelkwh]

Hi Tran and all u guys who applied in Singapore,

It was really interesting and enlightening with such valuable information reading it. I am also a singaporean, one who studied in Calgary, and Oregon, US. Currently working and living in Shanghai, China but intend to move to canada, either calgary or toronto depending on where the jobs are. I just applied recently and got my AOR from CIC. Now in the 2nd stage of processing all the necessary documents, seems like its a hassle and pretty troublesome man! i have lived in several cities from Canada to US to HK to Shanghai, and it is really going to take some time, also with my work nature, kind of stressed if i can make the time line of 120 days to process all the necessary documents man!

Btw, i have taken ILETS as well and gotten full score of 16 pts, so, for those who are Singaporeans, whom many of us think we are native speakers of english, i would still advise to take ILETS as to ensure, u get the max score u deserve.

Hi Tran, possible to contact u further or email should further queries arise?

Hope to continue to get advice from you experts!

 

[tran]

abelkwh,

U r more than welcome to email me. I understand u r a professor teaching in
Shanghai, and you studied at U. of Calgary previously.

I also plan to land in Calgary. Can you share with us your opinion
about Calgary?

 

[abelkwh]

Hi Tran,

I used to live in Calgary, Alberta long time ago when i was studying there, that was many yrs back, around 1990s but i can remember that the environment is good, the city is nice, though not as sophisicated and busy as Toronto or Vancouver. City facilities and people are really nice. It is a good place for a decent living.

Calgary is cold though, winter time can be really very very cold, its around -20 to -30 around winter time but i guess, maybe warmer now due to global warming. But i like it there cause its close to really pretty sites such as Banff national park, Lake Lousie and many others, as u may know.

I have a couple of ex-students living there now and they all kind of like it, and raising their families there now.

I also plan to land in calgary if there are jobs available for me there.

What else would u like to know, then i can share with u what i know.

Whats yr email, Tran?

 

[mathu]

hi trans

good news ..fast improvement in your case..i just appeared IELTS ..see how the outcome?

buhari