MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
For years now, I've been keen on moving to Canada but, because of my age, I need a company to sponsor me, which I've had no luck finding. During this time, I've started studying for a BSc Geology, which i love, and want to see through.
Meanwhile, I get home from Canada a few weeks ago, suffering from some post-holiday blues, and in the middle of the Uni summer hols, I send in a job application to a company in Vancouver. Guess who phoned me up a couple of hours ago, saying they are very interested and have a special department who deal with immigrations for new staff. They're going to line up a telephone job interview for this week đŸ˜¯
My dilemma (getting ahead of myself, as usual): I really want to finish Uni (for personal, as well as potential professional reasons). However, at 43, this is likely to be my last (and only) chance to move to Canada (or is that being melodramatic?).
I can do my Uni course completely distance learning, which I'm planning on doing anyway, which helps, but i suspect doing a degree whilst moving to a new country and starting a new job probably won't be the easiest thing to do.
Do it.
Send us a postcard though.
Defer degree for a year. Move. Settle in. Carry on degree later.
You can study any time.
Canada.
i suspect doing a degree whilst moving to a new country and starting a new job probably won't be the easiest thing to do.
So do the easiest thing to do then.
You won't regret that. Oh no, definitely not, no regrets. None at all.
Good luck with the interview.
Go. Start afresh there if needs be. Degrees are ten a penny; chances to move to Vancouver are like hens teeth.
Canada
BC is stunning, go for it.
Just Do It and move.
Spent an amazing 2.5 weeks with the family in Vancouver and all over British Columbia. If the industry I worked in wasn't all based in Toronto the whole family said they would move tomorrow.
Embace the opportunity!
Congratulations and good luck with the interview. Uni can wait a bit and/or you'll find a way if you want to (employer may be keen to help).
So do the easiest thing to do then.You won't regret that. Oh no, definitely not, no regrets. None at all.
Sorry, I didn't really mean it that way.
Thanks for the unanimous support 
As I said, I'm probably jumping ahead of myself.
canadia
Having been and still having friends over that way
DO IT
I don't need to be sold on the beauty of the place đŸ˜€ : I've been every year for the last 11 years and two of my best friends live there, having moved 5-6 years ago. So, it's not as if I won't know anyone.
Canada. Can all the responding for forumites come and stay please? Will bring beer.
Degree will travel or is there scope for a sponsored degree there?
I doubt there'll be scope for sponsorship as the role is architectural, and my degree is Geology, so I can't imagine they'd be interested in sponsoring that.
Do it. You will regret it otherwise
Firstly as above, good luck with the interview, secondly go.
Canada.
PS, |Warum heisst Canada Canada?
Weil es gibt keiner da.
Speaking as an advocate/borderline zealot for adult/lifelong learning and university- go to Canada.
(you can generally take a suspension of studies from your choice, letting you take time out then return; if so, that might make it an easier decision since you're taking a potentially last-chance opportunity for Canada, while only pausing an opportunity here.
Canada. Wish I'd been in a position to do what you can do.
Saxon will be along soon though to tell you not to bother! đŸ˜†
Thank you for all the comments. I know what i have to do, given the opportunity (it may not come to anything, of course). The only thing is: I'd have to find something new to be a grumpy git about
Do it.
I'm going in two months after a firm called me.
In fact, I was there last week house hunting.
Other side to BC, but can't wait to get back
Go. BC is wonderful. if I could get a job there I'd be off like a shot. Having family there helps
Been to Canada several times, have friends in ottawa, i must have met around 30 ex pats, all from Scotland, I've asked every one the same question 'would you even consider moving back to Scotland?'
Every person has given the exact same answer 'No Way!'
45 isn't too old, they will look upon your age and experience as a positive asset.
45? OI! Stop added years đŸ˜†
Well that went well [not sarcasm] đŸ˜¯
you've been offered the job ?!!
Details............
Did you get the job then ?
Go!
See if you can use credits from your course against a course at UBC
It went well, but only finished an hour ago đŸ˜†
However, the guy who's team I would be joining left the interview saying he was very excited about me joining.
The HR lady said she'd already consulted their "global mobility" team and they estimated 3-4 months, assuming they were to offer me the job.
Good luck, 53 is no age these days.
That’s really rather excellent news.
Relax and enjoy the last days in the U.K. then đŸ˜€
53? Funny, very effing funny
It sounds like you will, but you must go for it. As someone whose remit is - at least in part - to facilitate the distance study of post-graduate programmes, I can assure you that when it comes to your academic work, you will be able to pick it as and when.
The move to Canada, however, will not wait.
-A Canadian who did what you want to do, but in reverse.
Do It!
Moving won't be as big a deal as you fear it to be. Canada is so neatly culturally connected to the UK that you will get the hang of the place very easily.
We've move country three times (UK-OMAN-NZ-UK), and always imagined it be a much bigger deal than it really was. Packing and shipping was the biggest hassle TBH. Getting organised with all your paperwork will just happen.
Do it, the only downside is housing prices, especially now. It's a desirable place to live so its expensive, and its a desirable place to live so they can pay cheap wages and people will still live here. I still make much more than I did in the uk, its all relative, you'd make much more money in Alberta and house prices would be half as much.
Are you going alone or with a partner? Two incomes make it easier. Do you have cash from house sale in the uk?
As a reference, my 2 bed condo in North Van could sell for $750k'ish, that's about 450k pounds. Rents for similar will be about $2.5k/month.
Thanks folks. To be honest, it's the job that makes me more nervous than moving countries: I've been to Canada enough to know it fairly well. Of course, with them sponsoring me, there will be some pressure to live up to expectations.
Do it, the only downside is housing prices, especially now. It's a desirable place to live so its expensive, and its a desirable place to live so they can pay cheap wages and people will still live here. I still make much more than I did in the uk, its all relative, you'd make much more money in Alberta and house prices would be half as much.Are you going alone or with a partner? Two incomes make it easier. Do you have cash from house sale in the uk?
As a reference, my 2 bed condo in North Van could sell for $750k'ish, that's about 450k pounds. Rents for similar will be about $2.5k/month.
I haven't really got that far, yet.. Although the job is in downtown, I would probably look to live outside Van, in somewhere like Pitt Meadows, where one of my best mates lives with his wife.
I'd be moving on my own. I rent, but my parents own the flat, and it's effectively mine, in all but name, so there may be something that can help there.
It would be on a 3-6 month probation period, so I wouldn't be buying straight away.
Proper green eyed monster here. Get it done, don't look back, but leave the escape hatch open for the rest of us will ya?
Also, I have several transferable skills - mention me to your new gaffer?
Oh, I should say: do it.
Canada, eh?
The very same. The land of Rush and moose.
Also, I have several transferable skills - mention me to your new gaffer?
Let me get my feet under the table first..... đŸ˜€
**** me, are you still here? You wouldn't see me for smoke. Bugger off and stop being such a cock! (in the nicest, most supportive way).
Exciting times, we emmigrated to Canada 8 years ago, done really well for ourselves but I do miss family terribly, wouldnt worry about the degree as they dont seem to care about non canadian qualifications too much
Have you negotiated a starting salary?
If so, make sure it's in line with the market so you don't get shafted.
It's easy to get mixed up in the excitement of moving to a new country but some employers will try to pay new immigrants below market rates...
Have you figured out the commute from Pitt Meadows to downtown? If you work office hours, you could use the West Coast Express train but be aware the service is VERY limited...
So, this has taken a frustrating turn: I had my interview 2 weeks ago, during which they asked for references, which I duly provided. However, since then, I've heard nothing, other than the odd replies to my emails saying "they are very very interested" (their exact words), but workload has got in the way of them progressing things further (which i can believe, judging by what they were saying in the interview).
Meanwhile, Uni started again this week, which I don't know whether I can pick up again, and on Monday I am due to spend a day at another firm as a precursor to another job, which I don't know whether to go ahead with.
The problem with the job on Monday is: If I don't meet their requirements, they won't offer me anything. If I do meet their requirements and offer me a job, I can't accept it due to the potential of the Canada job. Either way, I feel it's a waste of their time. Hence, I'm tempted to email them and cancel. I would be very honest and mention the Canada thing. However, if the Canada thing falls through, it's an opportunity I would like to take up.
On both accounts, and generally speaking, I just feel in limbo at the moment, and it's horrible,
Do the day, either you get the Canada job or you won't but at least this keeps your options open. If you get an offer from the day trip then you have something to nudge the canadians along with, i.e. I have this job offer but want yours, whats happening? They will apologise and send you some maple syrup. 8)
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Did you speak to the uni about a suspension of studies? It might help you to find out exactly what the options are. (if you're a half-decent student, unis don't want you dropping out, it costs them money and screws their stats- they'd much rather pause you, it costs them nothing and maybe you come back, maybe not, either way they win)
My sisters family are emigrating to Toronto in six months. Jezuz there's not many left in my family that haven't packed up and gone with the remaining few looking to do the same.
This countries a spent force with expensive tiny housing, shit job opportunities, relativity low wages, declining working conditions, not to mention being a grey shithole full of small minded ****s đŸ˜†
Do it.
expensive tiny housing, shit job opportunities, relativity low wages
Sounds like Vancouver! I never hear of anyone moving TO Vancouver. Everyone seems to be leaving. It's all about property investment, empty condos and homeless people. Funnily enough coming back to the UK on holiday a couple of weeks back, I found Brits to be way friendlier / less douchy which was a first.
NW: I haven't spoken to them yet as I don't feel I can do anything until I know something more concrete, which is part of the problem. However, I do know others who have deferred for a year or two, so I know it's possible.
@ walleater: my experience has been different, although I would only be working in Vancouver. I would look to live outside of the city.
@brainflex: I don't think it's that simple as saying I've got an alternative option in the UK shows a lack of dedication to moving to Canada. Plus, I really don't want to feel as if I'm wasting both my time and their time by doing this trial day.
In all honesty, I could do without the stress of it at the moment as well.
Eight years of living in East Vancouver formed my opinion although it was partly tongue in cheek. Only partly though.... I think someone already mentioned it, but if you are looking to commute the traffic is a bit of a farce. Personally I'd rather live in the city or on a Skytrain line than be sat on Highway 1 for half my life.
A bit of an update: The company have engaged a large immigration law firm to manage my immigration application and I received the log-in details today, so I can access my own case. They are going for permanent residency straight away đŸ˜¯
Once this plays out, they will provide me with an offer of employment.