Moggiemiss

I have been in Canada just over 3 years and have had similar frustrations with gaining employment.

My field is education/management in local authority/university - very well qualified and experienced; never had a problem getting a job in the UK; made redundant 5 years ago and got early retirement so fortunately have a pension to pay the bills but still worked part time because work is important to me.

Very different story over here. It took me four months to find a job via a placement agency - as a receptionist - fortunately I was recruited permanently. Made the best of it and loved the job. Then last April after 2 years I was made redundant. Once more I have struggled to find work - I am actually working at the placement agency that got me my first job - it's not a great fit, but I am making the best of it.

However, after 3 years, I have decided I have had enough of doing my best and making the best of it. You only live once and if something isn't working, then you have the power to make different choices.

(I, also, used to travel extensively when I lived in England but now cannot afford to travel as much.)

So, Back2UK, I fully understand where you are coming from. I am planning to return to the UK - hopefully October this year. So good luck with your plans.

MarylandNed

Er - you were the one who brought it up. And who said anything about opinions? Multiple studies rank Canada above the UK in terms of education. Your statement was an opinion - except you presented it like it was a fact.

Back2UK

Hello Maryland

I think you have mistaken me for someone else, you originally commented on Craig H quote, not my initial thread. I brought up opinions as I felt my thread was going off track from the original subject matter.

Now i am presented some facts, yes Canada may well rank 3rd in reading and maths etc, however they are only 19th in the world for universities (Toronto). The USA and UK rank in the top 18, multiple times.

I have personal experience of drafting learning outcomes and course material for a BSc degree in Canada. I do feel that UK students have a widen knowledge on subjects because they are taught to think out of the box. I can't comment on the USA, nevertheless I have experienced professionals here having tunnel vision because they appear to lack the knowledge to overcome a problem.

DigitalGhost

I honestly believe that a lot of foreign students in Canada are only here because the fees are cheaper than UK, US, and Australian institutions, the student visa is easier to obtain and there are more routes to PR in place here, particularly in comparison to the UK and US in that regard where moving from student to full-time resident status can be nearly impossible unless you enter into a long-term relationship with a local resident or citizen.

Back2UK

That is very true. DG

AllyS

From what I have come across in Alberta, there is a common trait in the workplace which is the inability to think outside the box and a love of following the rules.

Back2UK

Yes that is true, or your not allowed to think out the box.

AllyS

One's comments are taken literally, rather than any reading between the lines on the other [Canadian] person's part.

I use my S-I-L as a classic example of this:

1) She is Canadian.
2) She takes whatever you say literally.
3) Absolutely no SOH.
4) Follows the rules to the last comma, and full stop.

etc, etc.,

Anyway, I realise this is a digression from your original thread.

How does it affect us expats??? I guess it just depends whether it is an annoyance or not, but to me its just plain BORING!

iaink

Im paid to think outside the box, so apparently its not a total anathema in Canada.... and I know many Canadians with a sense of humour. Luckily one of them is my wife.


Generalisations about a great big country dont usually hold up to microscopic analysis, All that matters is that its not worked for you, no need to tar an entire nation with broad strokes.

Back2UK

Hi iaink

Please don't think I was saying the whole of Canada, I am sure that its just a culture within certain companies.

Yes I agree, I have many Canadian friends with a sense of humour they would have to be friends with me. I shall miss all of my Canadian friends when I leave and I know that they will miss me too. Canadians do have certain qualities that Brits don't, however Brits have qualities that Canadians don't. I came to Canada because I loved the people, I am only going back to get my career back on track.

BACK2UK

AllyS

The most Canadians I meet on a daily basis (of course) are in the workplace too because most of the time is spent working..... however, in my current office it is a 50:50 split (Canadians:Immigrants) so there is a balance.

Gezza

It really suprises me that anyone compares US education system to that in US. My 3 daughters were 1st elementary schooled in Dallas TX and then in Ontario.I had found the Dallas elementary schools way better than those in Canada, or UK for that matter. Canada being the worst of the 3. My criteria is the academic level of work for the age, and the amount of homework kids are expected to do. Here in Canada, ultimately, professional do achieve the high enough skill level in their specific field but their general knowledge is not even on the scale compared to US or Europe. I also firmly believe that the education in a country is a reflection of the culture. One particular thing which I have in mind is the level of radio broadcasting. The FM radio in England is so full edifying stuff its just unbelievable, like no other country in the world I think. BBC 4 is just one example. In North America there are only 2 types of FM radio: Evangelical stations broadcasting the Word of God, which I really like, and the primitive music stations with their potter's wheel american/canadian so called rock music, punctuated with the claptrap about hockey and a sport called "curling".

Cumbrian Lass

That is probably why Alberta is rich and the UK is so poor.You have to stand on your own two feet in Alberta with hardly no handouts or housing...........as seen by you yourself.
We were there for 10yrs and in that 10yrs i had herniated disc's in my back,and was laid up for over a year.In that year we must have spend ATLEAST $25,000 on physio,muscle therapy,acupuncture and chiropractors bills.I know its different ,but we got no help what so ever. It was sort of an existing condition therefore even the blue cross health care wouldnt cover some of it,so we had to pay for it all ourselves. I did think to myself............what happens if you cant afford rent etc when you retire !!!!! i guess that was another reason why we left. I know the UK is far too soft with the handouts and they are trying to do stuff about it now (maybe too late) but i know one thing,they wouldnt let that happen

DevilDee

While I empathize with the hard situations ppl coming into Canada have to deal with it seems that a lot of people just ASSUME that Canadians don't have the same problems. I am Canadian born and raised and have always worked hard for whatever (crappy) jobs I have received. It is not just people coming into the Country who can't get jobs the whole society is not WHAT you know but WHO you know whether Canadian or otherwise.

However I wish you all well and hope this country gets it sorted and makes it a pleasant and happy move for you all and that you get everything you thought Canada could give you .........

penny farthing

Hearing John Humphries on Radio 4 in the mornings is worth selling up and returning to UK.
I really miss investigative journalism and cut throat interviews with politicians as well as the Parliamentary debates and Prime Ministers questions time.
The Robin Day/ Jeremy Paxman type interviews are non existent here but oh they really could do with them; someone who could really get stuck into these politicians.
As Robin Day once said,"I ask the questions on behalf of the electorate'- good stuff.