Hi,

Guys.. this is my first post to your forum. Although I have been scanning across CHARCHA, I could not find a decent enough answer to satisfy myself. So here it goes.

Mine is a very typical situation. I am going to be in Canada on a work permit for nearly 4 months starting Feb '05. I will be accompanied by my wife and 4 year old son who are basically going to be travelling as dependents.

My wife and myself are both concerned about what will she and my son do while they are in Toronto. Other than ging around town, which in all probablity will happen only when I am around too, what avenues does a person travelling on Visitors visa have to keep herself occupied. So a few questions that come to my mind are,

1. Are there any jobs that my wife can apply for or is there any seperate categories of visa that she can travel on which allow her to work. She is a Computer science engineer and currently orking as a lecturer in an engineering college in India. Can she take up jobs in teaching there?? What other jobs part time / full time) can she try for.

2. Can I put my son to school for this short a duration and on this visa. Or would it be advisable to go in for part time day care? Any ideas about any schools / day care centres around downtown toronto (Kings St. / Queens Street / Union Station) that are available or are being run by Indians. What other activities can I get him involved in. WHAT WOULD BE the approximate cost if I put him into a day care for 3-4 hours.

3. What other activities would you suggest to keep them busy. E.g. Are there any indian movies / dvd rentals / Libraries / activity centres around downtown toronto wherethey can go to spend time.

4. Other than Gerard street are the any indian grocery stroes in or close to Dwntown.

5. Are there any indian gatherings / societies where we can go during the weekdays/weekends (9 to 6 PM).

I would appreciate responses from anyone who can spare a few minutes. Also please make it urgent since I may be travelling in a few days. I basically want to convince my wife that it would not be as boring / difficult as she imagines, before I actually leave India.

I know you guys would help me to the best of our abilities.

Thanks

I have only been here a few months, and spend most of my time working but I have a few suggestions which keep me busy when I want to spend time out of the house.

1. Toronto is a wonderful place in terms of how things are set up and living here can give your wife and child an experience of living here. I dont know if they have traveled out of india before but it was quite exciting and challenging for me to come here for the first time.

2. Toronto has excellent public libraries which organize activities and have lots of books but I dont know if they are open to those who are not residents of toronto, check it out if you want to be sure http://www.tpl.toronto.on.ca/." rel="nofollow">LINK

There are alot of museums (science and discovery) which can be quite a learning experience for a child.

Thats what I can think of at the moment. I am sure others would add to this.

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smile ...

Thanks Michelle for responding. I at least have something for starters.

I would appreciate if people could respond to my other queries too. Even if they know the answers only in parts that should be fine.


Thanks once again.

IMO she will not get bored. You get almost all Indian channels on TV ( You will have to pay for it). Indian grocery stores are everywhere in GTA area. Regarding, teaching job, she can,t teach as she is not having Teachers license. Of course, lot of indian families are there with whom you can be friendly.

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Driller the thriller