Not to duplicate the other thread, but I too have been thinking of "risking it (all)" to go to Canada.

You may or may not have come across some of my posts on the Aussie and Euro threads over the last year, as I have been contemplating just wanting to "get out" for over a year and a bit, but still find myself in a rut here in Ireland...

I've been to Aus before, and after much thought, have decided it wouldn't be for me long term. I had initially thought of going to France to live, but am not 100% decided on it yet.

I had thought of the Canadian under 35 visa this time last year, but put it off. (I'm 32 almost 33)
I have it in my head to go to Halifax NS, as there's a good music scene (I think!!) and as mentioned on another thread, I like my attempts at surfing.

Also, after the last few year I had stuff going on in Ireland, where I'd love to just experience a complete change, to get away from it all..

I also speak French, so it could come in handy around those parts...

I suppose it's easy enough for me to risk it and go to France, and Yes, the weather, is a big draw for France, but I may not get the chance to go outside the EU on a Visa like this again, and I hear wonderful things about Canada.

However, here is my biggest fear:

I currently have a stable job in Ireland, and would be risking that. My plan would be to work in Canada, and hey, if it worked out, I would stay on. Who knows. If it didn't, I would be at least forced to come back and then go to France lol!! But, the drawback is you come back with no job, and have wasted a year in one way....

A lot of people told me it's not worth the risk, but I think of 10 years time, and I'm there thinking "I should have done this, I should have done that".

I am very restless in Ireland, and have been since I came back from Italy 8 yrs ago! My plan was to always move away again, but I kept putting it off for different reasons...

Thoughts, opinions.....

Do it...really what have you got to lose?

So you're young, free, no kids, and can get a years open work permit?? Go for it!! If you don't do it now, then you may not be able to get a visa in the future so need to grab the opportunity while you can and before you have ties. You're more likely to regret not doing it than giving it a try and have got nothing to lose. JMO though.

Not sure about the music scene in Halifax though, haven't heard that one before, so maybe start a thread about it to check with people that live there? And you are unlikely to need your French in NS, it's not a French or bilingual province.

And if you want to stay beyond the year, make sure you have a plan for that as it can be tricky to get a visa off the back of a Working Holiday Visa, so you need to start early in to the year and think about it in advance.

Good luck deciding.

I thought the rules had changed for BUNAC and that it was only available for those under 30 as this site seems to suggest: http://www.bunac.org/uk/workcanada/faqs.aspx

Cheers for your thoughts. Yep, I do have a buddy in Vancouver, so in theory, that should be my first port of call, as he could set me up/put me up for a bit, but I have it in my head (having done lots of research) to hit Nova Scotia. Quebec, ideally, should be good for the lingo, I know, but too cold and land locked!!
I've read independently of here on how there's a healthy little music/movie scene in NS. I'm not a BIG city guy by nature, so am not too bothered about being somewhere that's less populated. Though maybe I should have some fun for a while ;o
I may yet consult my friend in VC...

My buddy in VC , being a cynic, reckons the East Coast is a no-go for me regarding jobs. (I have experience in technical writing and search engine marketing). From what I have seen, there are jobs in this in NS....

Under 35 for Ireland...

Are you British, as opposed to Irish?

I'm Irish. I should have stated that at the top of the thread. I suppose you'd assume I was British being on britishexpats!

Info here is great though, even for Irish, and even though some of the red tape might be a bit different...

The only thing I would consider is how much you want a year of adventure and how much it is a serious attempt at emigration. If I were going to take a year away from work and real life I, personally, would look for somewhere more exciting than Canada. I'd prob get a RTW and spend some time in Oz, NZ, and the far east. Seeing as you have been tempted by Australia, why not 6 months in each place even? Nice direct flight between SYD and YVR even so not that far.

I suppose you could say it's an attempt at possible emigration. I would prefer to work at the moment, rather than arrive somewhere and do "any old job", and travel from here to there, which is ironically what I may have to do to get a foot in the door.

My reason being, I @rsed around in Ireland for a few years playing a bit of music, doing this and that, dole on and off, and it wrecked my head, so I don't really want to have to do it again....
At the same time, I can't see any other way of getting a job abroad, other than arriving and doing a bit of "this and that"...

Go for it!
We are trying at the moment to get to Canada and with 4 kids, 2 dogs and 2 cats, not to mention an ageing mother, a houseful of furniture and good settled jobs it ain't going to be easy!
What's the worst that could happen?

Qui n'essaye rien n'a rien!!!!!

vous avez raison..

Hi,

It sounds to me like you have a serious case of itchy feet and there's only one way to get rid of it - take the plunge! Yes it's risky, maybe you'll find yourself 'wasting' a year, but what the hell, better out of your system than plodding along for a few more years wondering 'what if'.

From my experience you should go for it whilst you have the enthusiasm!
I have wanted to emigrate for over 20 years which is a long long time!

Allez, du courage!!

Life is for living, not for regrets! Go for it. What's the worst that could happen??