I’m way overdue with this post, but like a fine wine, good things take time, right? So, grab your favourite Canadian brew, and let’s dive into the highs, lows, and eh-mazing moments of my first eighteen months on a Canadian working holiday visa!
It’s been a wild ride, folks. From the bustling streets of Greektown to the trendy vibes of Midtown, I’ve clocked some serious mileage—and not just on my Fitbit. Let me tell you, finding a place to hang my toque wasn’t as easy as ordering poutine.
With limited references, income proof thinner than maple syrup, and a credit history that screamed “fresh off the boat,” I had my work cut out for me. But after a whirlwind of viewings, offers, and a few tearful goodbyes to my roommate (and her Netflix password), I found my cozy corner of Toronto, complete with a subway stop just a hop, skip, and a jump away. And yes, Mum and Dad, you’re officially invited to bring me all the chocolate.
Now, let’s talk jobs. Or should I say job-zillas? Within days of touchdown, I was already donning my best interview attire and practicing my most professional “eh’s.” Talk about hitting the ground running! But hey, when opportunity knocks louder than a Mountie on horseback, you answer. So there I was, juggling deadlines and timbits like a true Canuck. But as fate would have it, budget cuts and client shuffles presented my first big challenge in my Canadian adventure, my team and were cut and I found myself navigating the job market once again.
The silver lining to this particular cloud, was that it allowed to spend 2 weeks of quality time with my parents, who just happened to be visiting me a week later.
And as the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens—and boy, did it ever! A new gig at a startup agency had me feeling like I’d won the double-double jackpot, with more responsibilities, challenges, and caffeine runs than I could shake a hockey stick at. As employee #1 I was in a position to shape company culture, build amazing products and help hire an even more amazing team – it doesn’t get much better!
A few months later, fate intervened again (and by fate I mean the decision of the Canadian government to move applications for working holiday visas online to – apparently – streamline and expedite the process) as I found myself facing the possibility that I would to stop working if my new work permit wasn’t approved in time.
You’ve guessed it – the new process didn’t expedite anything and my work permit expired, and that meant I had to leave my job. Despite well-meaning advice from friends to “just keep working,” I knew better than to risk jeopardizing my future Permanent Residence application by working without the proper authorization (PR Visa or Work Permit), leaving me in a limbo worthy of its own Canadian sitcom while I waited – and waited – for my new one to be processed and approved. Cue the dramatic music.
And in a city like Toronto, where even a cup of coffee can break the bank, finding budget-friendly ways to pass the time became a challenge. But necessity breeds creativity, and I found myself getting inventive with both my time and my finances. From picnics in the park to free museum days, I embraced the city’s offerings without breaking the bank.
Instead of twiddling my thumbs, I laced up my shoes and hit the pavement, exploring the city on foot, after all I moved to Canada in search of an adventure!
For the next eight weeks, I turned workouts into networking sessions, coffee or lunch dates into personal development sessions and gatherings with friends into pot-luck dinners and job-information gathering sessions. And with every step, I discovered hidden gems in the city and uncovered new passions, from photography to community events.
Those eight weeks? Let’s just say they dragged on longer than a Canadian winter.
But lo and behold, April brought with it the sweetest news since discovering maple syrup—my second work permit was approved!
YES! Time to get back to work and living my best Canadian life. Although I had hoped to return to my previous role, the extended length of time away during a time of massive company growth and transition meant that my role had to be filled and I found myself looking once again for a new role.
It felt like for every step forward I took, fate pushed me ten steps back, eroding my confidence and leaving me grappling with doubts about my worth and my decision to relocate to Canada – was it really meant to be this hard?!
But among the uncertainty, the time I spent networking during my unplanned sabbatical started to pay off, and a couple of weeks later – thanks in large part due to the help of a wonderful friend – I received an offer to join another agency for a 6 month contract. While not the permanent position I initially envisioned, it provided a lifeline, allowing me to rebuild my savings and stay relevant and up-to-date in the workplace as I continued my search for a permanent role.
So here’s to the next eighteen months, filled with more adventures, challenges, and maple syrup than you can shake a beaver tail at!
In the end, those eight weeks taught me more than any job could. They showed me the power of resilience, the beauty of spontaneity, and the importance of forging connections in unexpected places.
So here’s to the next eighteen months, filled with more adventures, challenges, and maple syrup than you can shake a beaver tail at!
