Hey guys,

Posted a couple of months back and the situation is now as follows:

Boyfriend who didn't fancy leaving his family is no longer on the scene, I took the dog and am now settled into a new pad. Just started 2nd year of my pharmacy course and getting on fine. Another 2 years of uni after this, and then a pre-registration placement (52 weeks) before I qualify so a wee while away yet but I'm ever the optimist

Now that there's nothing standing in my way I've 90% decided to go for a recce next Summer - looking at 3 weeks split between Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver. At the moment I'd prefer to be on Van. Island rather than in Vancouver itself - but it's a toss up between Nanaimo and Victoria which is why I'd like to spend some time in both and maybe just spend a few days having fun in Vancouver before I head home.

My question is this - I won't be able to emigrate as a pharmacist until around this time in 2013 - am I being a bit pre-mature with a recce? Obviously I won't be looking seriously at housing, schools etc but would like to get a feel for the places and doubt they would change much between next year and 2013? Can always do a more focused recce further down the line if this visit does it for me.

Thoughts appreciated, want to book my flights later today if possible - unless anyone think it's a REALLY daft idea

Cheers very much,

Amy

you can only lose time/money in going...

But at least youll be a bit wiser about Canada with every visit you make... the Recce side of things - will be required closer to your actual departure .. but use trips now to check out places within Canada.

I presume you are young. 4 years is a long time away, have some fun don't make definite plans. See where life takes you. Travel for sure but not with an eye to settling down.

On the job side I would think you would need post registration work experience to get a job here. What about registration here, will you be eligible for that? Have you considered studying here post grad?

I am still young - will be 21 before the end of the year - but am very determined and like to know where I'm going in life.

I've looked into the process of qualifying as a pharmacist in BC, post-pre-reg UK experience is not a requirement but I would be expected to take Canada-wide exams first, and if I pass those I can then take part in a 6 month course at a university in BC (3 months learning, 3 months placement) before more exams. If I passed those I would then be qualified in BC to work as a pharmacist. I need to be really sure if BC is for me or not because it's going to cost me in the region of £7000 to sit all the exams, take part in the course and pay my registration fees to the governing bodies..

I've also done the 'fun' travelling already so can't really justify spending all that money again without a real purpose.

Any major cons regarding Nanaimo and/or Victoria?

Have you been to Canada at all yet?? In your previous posts you said you hadn't, I would wait and see the place before you plan your life around a country you haven't seen yet.

4 years. "Life is what happens to you while you were planning something else".

Good luck.

If you want to come and have a look, then do so and treat it as a good holiday. Enjoy it.

By the way, at 21 I'd thought I'd done lots of travelling too. At 24 I took unpaid leave from work to go backpacking again. At 25 I got engaged. At 25 I changed career completely and got un-engaged. At 27 I married the love of my life less than a year after meeting him. I could not have foreseen, nor planned any of that at 21.

Life throws all kinds of things at you. It's great have goals and I admire your dedication. Just throw in some flexibility too 'cos who knows who or what is around the next corner.

Yeah, that's what I would have said if I had had the patience.

You're 21 and have done your 'fun' traveling already? Face it, you might as well retire now, your life is pretty much over.

I think the longer you can spend here before committing to a move, the better prepared you will be.
Nothing to stop you coming over more than once.
Avoid around the 2010 games time though as it will be chaos!!
I live in Victoria. You can always message me if you have questions.

Hi

I assume that the OP knows that s/he won't qualify for Immigration as a Pharmacist as at the present time that occupation isn't on the "list" http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/departm...008-11-28a.asp
2. The only way that s/he would be eligible is by either working in Canada on an approved work permit or receive an approved employment offer from Canadian employer. (states will hire the person once they become a PR)

Victoria and Nanaimo are nice enough, but you could probably get much the same effect by moving to a medium-sized town in Devon. What do you want to move to Vancouver Island for?

Lots of reasons why the UK in general is not pushing my buttons anymore, amongst them: there are a lot of changes coming to the profession of pharmacy that I don't agree with, and a lot of existing pharmacists don't agree with them either.. My course qualifies me to work anywhere in Europe but languages aren't my strong point.

Pharmacy may not be on the Canadian 'list' but it's high up on the skilled worker tables, and I don't think I would ever move to a country without first securing employment. I've been in touch with a couple of health professionals on Vancouver Island and intend to keep in touch for when I do manage over for a visit (contacts are everything so I hear).

Alan2005 - I didn't mean I never want to travel for pleasure again, I just meant I can't afford to do it for fun right now, not until I've qualified and have some decent money coming in.

Ann m - I really appreciate your post, and I don't pretend to know what lies around the corner. From experience though, I tend to follow my heart when it becomes set on something and I know I'll never be happy if I don't follow through and it becomes a 'what if'. I'm fortunate at the moment in that I have a part time job that pays well and my student loan/bursary, so at this moment in time I know that I can afford to investigate Canada further. I might not have this financial opportunity further down my university trail and I don't want to wait until I've actually qualified to start thinking about emigrating.

Where have all the 'you've got nothing to lose' people gone?? Was looking for that kind of support on here as I'm not getting it from family

I've been following this.
All I can say is "You go girl" !!!
I did it 40 years ago and I haven't regretted a day.
You will have an education, a profession and youth on your side. The world is your oyster. Go for the gusto !!! What have you got to loose if it doesn't turn out the way that you had hoped ? Not a lot in the scheme of things. It isn't for everyone and I am sad for those who struggle to get here and then find it isn't what they wanted. I consider myself fortunate in that it worked for me. Best of luck in your future.

Thank you so much for that message - I actually went out and bought my flight tickets earlier and to have one person say what you've said makes me feel just a little bit justified for being so impulsive.

Wish you all the best,

Amy

I live in Nanaimo & the same goes for me

Your recce will be the same as ours a few years ago, Van, Vic & Nanaimo ... liked Van the most, Vic 2nd & disliked Nanaimo on sight ... been here 4yrs now & see it in a different light tis very different from the mainland IMHO.