I'm gonna' jump in here, with a small tale of some of the things my Mexican wife had to endure when she moved to London in 2000. She expected things to be 'better' than her homeland, and so the experience of dealing with capricious officialdom was nothing new.

For example, Barclays Bank wouldn't open an account for her because she 'didn't have a work permit' - she was already working, had a National Insurance number and Indefinite Leave to Remain...but that wasn't good enough!

One employment agency refused to put her forward for English/Spanish bilingual work because she couldn't prove, by means of certificates, her Spanish proficiency - the recruiter seemed to think that Mexicans spoke 'Mexican' rather than Spanish. She was also quizzed by another recruiter as to why she spoke English with a marked American accent if she wasn't American! He didn't seem to accept that 'American English' is as separate as the Australian or British varieties.

The point being, that its all about one's expectations. If you expect this promised land, this new utopia, is going to present a smooth road and an easy ride to your integration then, in honesty, you will be dismayed. People and processes are the same the world over, and whatever niggles you had with bureaucracy at 'home' you are likely to find similar when 'away'.

Can't say our experiences have been much different.

We have returned after a year back in the UK and are going through all the ups and downs of having to settle in again.

Finding work seems to be the biggest hurdle.

We know the ropes so that does help but it is still aggravating after all this time.

Leo

My wife had her homesickness time in the first couple of months of being here - she was on her own - I was at work and she had too much time on her hands (not saying that is yours or anyones case - this is our story). We had our problems - furniture went to Hong Kong, Lesley had problems getting her SIN, no where permanent to live, car crash within the first month (not our fault we were rear ended 4 times!!) problems with hire cars as we don't have a credit card - still don't have one and finding it hard to get one - no history etc etc. I am in a job I am not too happy about but it is a job - Lesley has now got a job and loves it - we have got a house to live in, the car is fixed - we speak to our mums every sunday - when we are down, or more so Lesley as she is the worrier in our house - we get in the car and go for a drive or for a walk or just do something outside the four walls. As for now - 4 months into us being here we love it - any problems we come across (frustration at work, paying by cash) then we just "deal" with it - laugh - say well we chose to move and then move onto the next obsticle. I know this sounds as though we have had an easy time - we certainly have not - between here and things going on in UK - brother and nephew seriously ill, weddings, missing things etc - we decided to just not dwell on the fact and get on with life. For us this way works - and yes we are happy to be here. Saying all that I wish you luck and happiness and hope you are able to start to turn things around soon.

We've been here about eight months.

We've been so busy we've not seen the time go past.

It has been rather stressful at times, exhilarating and fun - a whole mixture.

In many ways I'm surprised at what good luck we've had. There are times when I feel that we were destined to move to Canada. Things that have been difficult have just slotted into place. I think that we've been lucky in meeting the right people who were able to help.

Are we homesick - actually sometimes I do feel homesick for the UK, I miss my house in Belgium - but to be honest would never want to go back there again. I miss aspects of the UK, but the flip side is that I enjoy different aspects of Canada and Québec.

I enjoy the walk every morning into work through the underground city - a small thing, but I do like it. Every time the sun shines bright, I feel lucky to live so far south and make the most of that. At the moment I just think how cool it is to have a hot tub and swimming pool in the garden!

It's a very difficult process emigrating and it takes time. Moving to Canada is my third emigration and by far the most difficult - but I have young children.

Have fun.

PS - please don't write posts with large paragraphs, they're difficult to read. Limit your paragraphs to four or five lines ideally

Apologies I was not aware this was an English language examination forum - I will ensure correct protocol is followed in future

Apparently some people only put ONE sentence in a paragraph

Mike - your post was fine It was only nine lines The problem is when posters write thirty plus lines without paragraphs. Perhaps the other poster is an English teacher (Or a moderator in disguise?)

Huh??