A few tips from an international student to prospective ones

When embarking on the journey of immigrating from home and striving for success in a foreign land, numerous thoughts and fears flood one's mind. Questions about how to start, what to do, how to manage without family, the need to work, cook, clean, juggle it all. I can relate to this experience, having lived away from home since my days as a undergraduate student. While I used to visit home on weekends back then, everything changed when I made the decision to immigrate alone. Suddenly, there was no going back on the weekends, and I had to navigate the challenges of living independently without familiar faces around.

I chose Sault Ste. Marie, to study and settle in. Friends living in different parts of Canada warned me about Sault Ste. Marie, a small city with limited job opportunities, causing me to worry. But, I decided to stay true to my path. Drawing from my personal experience, I would like to share some valuable lessons I learned during this process, in hopes that they may assist others in their own journey:

1. Trust the Path you chose: In the face of uncertainty and challenges, it is crucial to stay composed and have faith in the decisions you've made. For me, it was choosing the soo.
2. Believe in Yourself: If you have come a long way to Canada with the goal of achieving success, trust in your ability to work hard and make it happen.
3. Grades are important! Dedicate time for studies, get good grades, aim for scholarships. Absorb knowledge and apply it effectively. School is a great time to explore, try opportunities, volunteer and apply skills in real life.
4. Work to Sustain Yourself, Not to Exhaust Yourself: Remember that your primary focus is your studies, so work in a way that allows you to conserve energy for learning. Avoid burning yourself out. Care for both your mental and physical heath.
5. Stay Hopeful: If you encounter difficulties finding work while your friends are employed, persistently apply for as many opportunities as possible. Try different paths, network - ask for help, but do not lose hope or, give up.
6. Stay Active and Network: Avoid sitting idle at home while waiting for responses to job applications. Go out, meet people, make connections, and ask them to refer or, connect you to opportunities. Knowing someone can often open doors to job opportunities.
7. Post-Graduation Work Permit: Once you complete your studies, ensure you maintain legal status and apply for a post-graduation work permit as soon as you can! This is an important step, a good job to support with permanent residency takes time and effort - this is what allows you to make the most of that time.
8. Permanent Residence: When all your networking pays off and and you become eligible to apply for permanent residence, seize the opportunity and take the necessary steps. If you do not know how, contact a trusted consultant for guidance or, to act as your representative. This process can take some time, so be quick and you can then start preparing to bring your family to visit you.

Most important tip: always stay true to yourself. Trust your instincts and follow the path that feels right to you. Do not hesitate to seek help when needed, and avoid burdening yourself with stress. Openly communicate with your friends and family, find happiness and share that with those around.

I hope these simple, yet applicable tips come in handy for your immigration journey. Let us know what other topics, themes or tips you would like to see in the future. And, if you are seeking support, guidance, or, representation from a trusted agent you can contact us at: info@icavec.ca