After five wonderful years, I’ll be leaving BAE Systems at the end of this year to get myself prepared and organised before I leave the UK for a new adventure.
It’s a strange feeling to be equally excited and apprehensive at the same time; and it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way. Just the other day, my colleague threw me a surprise farewell party – I nearly cried when I saw the cake decorated with tiny Canadian flags!
In a few months, I will take the next – and biggest – step in this journey when I board flight AC 857 from London Heathrow to Toronto, Canada.
I’m going on a working holiday for the next couple of years to work, travel, meet new friends, and experience life from a different perspective.
As the countdown begins until I jet off to my new home, I’m creating the to-do list of all to-do lists to make sure I get everything done.
Visa and Flight: Check!
So far, I have applied for my visa and booked my flight – I’m coming back to the UK in June for a friend’s wedding, so opted for a return fare. I used Ebookers, which allows you to compare flight itineraries and prices across many major airlines and a few regional ones. I wanted a direct flight, so opted for Air Canada.
Pro Tip: Visa Applications
Applying for the visa can be a bit of a maze. Make sure you have all your documents ready, including proof of funds, travel insurance, and a clear plan of what you intend to do in Canada. Check out the official Canadian immigration website for detailed guidelines.
First Arrangements
I’ve made some provisional arrangements for when I first arrive. I’ve booked a hotel for my first night, and thanks to an amazing contact I met on LinkedIn, I have also arranged somewhere to stay for the first few weeks. This will help me ease into Canadian life and get my bearings before deciding where I want to settle for the next couple of years.
Tip: Networking Magic
LinkedIn has been a lifesaver! Connecting with Canadians has provided me with invaluable advice and even a temporary place to stay. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted message and a bit of friendly outreach.
Canadian Job Market Prep
The Canadian job market is very different from what I’m used to here in the UK, so my British CV will need some tweaking to make it appropriate for Canada. In addition to emailing my current contacts in Canada for advice, I have also booked some time with a resume specialist to help me secure employment as soon as possible after I arrive.
I am networking like crazy via digital channels and social media and have already met some wonderful people who have willingly given their time to answer my many questions.
Job Hunting Resources
Here are some useful resources I’ve found:
The Ultimate To-Do List
Work
- Get references from my manager and other partners I’ve worked with
- Note down contact details for key work contacts
- Write my Canadian resume (more than one, tailored to different job areas)
- Send CV to recruitment agencies in Toronto and arrange appointments for Mid to late February
- Search and apply for jobs of interest
- Send off speculative applications to companies I’d like to work for
- Connect with people at my target companies for informational interviews
- Register for networking events – pro tip: meetup.com is a live saver
Home
- Organise belongings into several categories:
- Take to Canada
- Keep in storage in the UK
- Keep with Mum & Dad (valuables and items with sentimental value)
- Sell/donate/give to charity
- Throw away
- Organise a storage locker for items to be stored
Car
- Service/MOT the car
- Sell the car
- Request a letter of reference from my car insurance company
- Cancel car insurance
- Request a copy of my driving record (to exchange my licence for a Canadian one)
- Get copies of my drivers license (photocard and paper part)
Financial & Documentation
- Notify HMRC that I’m leaving the country for tax purposes
- Notify bank and credit card companies that I’ll be travelling
- Make sure my passport is valid for at least 2 years
- Scan passport and give copy to Dad for safe-keeping
- Open a Canadian bank account with HSBC
- Check if new bank cards expire soon; order new ones if necessary
- Close any unused bank accounts
- Print off and store final bank statements
- Transfer credit history with HSBC
- Order Canadian dollars/travellers’ cheques
- Notify my mobile phone provider that I’m travelling
- Buy a roaming package for my mobile phone for the first two months
Health
- Book a doctor’s appointment and stock up on necessary prescriptions
- Book a dentist appointment for a check-up
- Book an optician’s appointment for an eye test
- Request copies of my health and immunisation records
- Stock up on Paracetamol (apparently it’s not the same in Canada)
It’s a daunting list that seems to change almost daily, but I’m getting there – slowly. All this pales in comparison to planning to say goodbye (even temporarily) to my family and my friends.
Final Thoughts
As I prepare for this exciting new chapter, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. If you’ve ever moved countries, I’d love to hear your tips and experiences.
Share them in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow my journey on Instagram and Twitter for real-time updates!
