roguetide

Hey all, i'm new here. I'm 19, male and basically I want to leave the UK. I'm pretty unhappy living here, with everything contributing to me disliking the place, from weather to political correctness, chavs to petrol. Currently, i'm very gracious to be working in a relatively well paid IT Job, despite having very few qualifications in the subject, but more experience than most (which is what got me the position). They train me in nearly all aspects, and currently i'm Hardware / Software / Basic Network support, but I have alot of experience in Graphic and Web design ('cause i'm always doing something on the computer!! :P), and I work in a University so I do get quite a bit of hastle from all sorts. However, the contract runs out in less than 7 months, and I should have enough saved to take a 'gap year'. I'd love to go to Canada, mainly because i've heard glowing things about the place, plus I have a few friends there.

From what I've seen though, there seem to be so much competition with IT in Canada, and even though i'm pretty happy getting stuck into all aspects of computing with relative confidence, I fear that qualified people will get 'one up on me' just because they have it on paper. So I guess i'm actually asking where would be the best place to go, in terms of safety (since i'll probably be alone), in terms of cash (though i'll probably have a safe stash incase things go arse up), in terms of social life, and lastly in terms of jobs i'd be able to get. I'd pretty much take any job within reason, though I'm not sure Visa's work like that.

Would it be best to look for an apartment and try to find sharers out there? What about looking for work? Any recommendations in terms of job listings, etc.

General advice, really. Oh, Toronto or close surroundings is where I aim to go, since my friends live in Sudbury, but are soon moving to the city.

Thank you kindly in advance.

mandymoochops

Hi there and Welcome, you have the benefit of age on your side, look at the WIKI at the top of the page and it will steer you towards various options regarding working and visitng this fine land.

I would think you could go on a BUNAC visa (do a search - loads of threads about this) however I am sure that our resident oracle of all knowledge Judy will be along and guide you in a better way than I.

Good luck

bazzz

If you hate political correctness, you'll probably want to check out small town Alberta. Otherwise, Canada is probably the most politically correct country on the planet.

Judy in Calgary

As MMC said, a 12-month working holiday visa through BUNAC is the way to go.

I don't think you'll have a problem finding work while you're in Canada on BUNAC, even if you don't have formal qualifications.

If you want to stay in Canada beyond BUNAC, I think you will have a problem without formal qualifications. To find out why, read the Wiki article called Quick Guide to Canadian Immigration.

If you want to share a house or apartment with other people, do a Google search for ROOMMATES + NAME OF RELEVANT CITY. Here are some website for starters:

http://ca.roommates.com/
http://ca.easyroommate.com/
http://www.okroommate.com/canada/
http://www.proroommate.com/canada/
http://www.metroroommates.com/area_r...nada_areas.asp
http://www.roommates.ca/
http://www.sublet.com/Index4/CanadaRoomates.html

Hope that helps.
x

roguetide

Lol it's not that I hate the idea of being courteous to the varieties around the UK, but it's gone mad here! I'm not gunna go into deets though ;P

Thanks for the help guys, i'll follow up on those links. I'm not looking for a place for a good while yet, though.

And, I do have qualifications, just not in the field of work i'm doing now. Ironic...

Thanks, you cleared up a few issues already.