Experiences of Families residing in Canada, Spouse continue working in Middle East
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I received medical papers and planning to land in Toronto in June or July, 2006.
I wish my daughters start schooling in Canada as soon as possible. I also wish to continue working in ME as long as possible ( Max three years).
I understand there are several desi immigrants keeping their families in Canada while they continue working in Middle east.
Could you guys share your experiences in keeping your families in Canada alone.
I found some threads on ME vs Canada but not on this topic specifically.
Responses from you helps me in making proper decision and also helps you guys alternatives to overcome difficulties, if any you are currently experiencing.
- Erra
No problems regarding safety. Lots of families staying that way in condos in Toronto. Public transit is good , so are schools.
At a personal level though that is not a very good idea. The kids do miss their dad. It can be a tough life if your wife is not used to living alone / does not speak good english / does not drive.
Location: in the heart of Mrs Saga
Posted on: 24-09-05 01:52:25
Quote:
Orginally posted by erra
I wish my daughters start schooling in Canada as soon as possible. I also wish to continue working in ME as long as possible ( Max three years).
I recall from a Dr. Phil show, that if you are physically away from your child in his early ages, for as few as six months, you have lost your child forever and he has lost you
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Deal With Reality or Reality Will Deal With You
Thanks NYD for your reply. I expected more replies from middle east immigrants. Probably, many ME immigrants are not active on this board.
NYD, I agree with you reg kids missing me, tough life for wife. But we have to compromise to some extent to have better future.
I am earning C$6000 pm tax free in M.E. in a senior position with good Job satisfcation on technical side atleast. I believe this salary is above the average a person with Engineering background can earn in middle east. My present job is almost guaranteed for next four years i.e. till the time I have to decide whether to loose PR or move to Canada. Leaving such a job for uncertain future is very diffucult decision, I have to make.
Main attraction of immigrating to Canada is Children's Education and quality of life. Not for making money or career. With my present mind set, I can not even imagine doing labor jobs, in Canada. I apologize if someone feels I lookdown at people already working in labor jobs. It is not my intention. Once I start living there, my mind set may change.
I already have reasonable savings and probably can afford sitting idle in Canada for a year. But as one of fellow Desi, probably ME immigrant pointed out such thinking is called \\\\\\\"Middle east Syndrome\\\\\\\". If I save further money during next four years in ME, I probably can afford sitting idle in Canada till I get reasonably good job and overcome that 'ME syndrome'.
I want to move my family to Canada at the earliest since my daughter is in 9th Std and it is good for her to study 10,11 & 12 for university admission. My wife is just OK in English speaking and driving. She probably can improve once start living there ( Toronto). She does not have any intention of doing job as long as she is alone.
I am trying to know:
1) Whether there are some works like dealing with govt offices, school issues, emegencies, health problems, getting some repairs fixed in home etc that a house wife can not manage herself. I can keep visiting them once in a four months for a couple of weeks and can attend problems that can be postponed till my visit.
Alternative to keeping my family in Canada alone is sending my kids (In Indian school at present) to American schools in ME where curriculum is similar to Canadian curriculum. But it costs me C$12000 per year per each child. I am not sure whether I can convince my company to reimburse the school fee. In spite of paying such a huge school fee, they may not learn Canadian accent etc that are essential for success in university studies.
Input from CD members is highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
- Erra
Quote:
Orginally posted by erra
Leaving such a job for uncertain future is very diffucult decision, I have to make.
Main attraction of immigrating to Canada is Children's Education and quality of life. Not for making money or career. With my present mind set, I can not even imagine doing labor jobs, in Canada.
- Erra
Erra,
If you have a good job in ME and can wait for the next 4 years to come here then why not do that with your family in ME with you. Kids acclimatize to the Canadian environment even after they come and join at university level. If your main motivation at this stage is to get them here so that they can get Canadian accent then i feel (imho) that you are going too far just for making them learn the Canadian accent.
Moreover, you will have to spend expenses in 2 countries, which can cut on your savings potential big time.
If you have to come to Canada anyway in future i really think you have 2 workable options.
1st. Continue in ME as long as you can with your family and save as much as you can before you get here.
2nd. Move to Canada now itself with your family , if you have to start fresh 4 yrs from now anyway, why not start now itself and in 3-4 years time you will have settled in well. The 3rd option of sending your family here and you continuing for next 3 -4 yrs does not seem very appealing. it all depends on how independently your wife can handle things here, driving, getting to know the places and all the other things of daily life. If I were you , I'd focus on being with the family. You might have bigger savings in 4 years but look at the additional hurdles you will have to face 4 years down the line :
1. You will be 4 years late in settling down in Canada. If you have to re-establish your career, why not try now and utilize these 4 yrs now instead of putting it off for 4 yrs later. You will have to do it anyway now or later. You have much better shot at a younger age then later...4 yrs doesnt seem much but makes a difference after 35-40 yrs of age. ( i am assuming you are in that range)
2. You will miss out on sharing the experience of setting and exploring this new place. It may seem like a small thing but it is a very valuable bonding experience for the whole family to be together when they are in a new place.
3. other thing you can also think of is moving to Canada with your family after 2 years instead of 4. That way you will have best of both the worlds.
Going be my experience, I had a similar situation, I had a chance of coming here in 2000, i delayed it till 2004 as I had a nice job in US. I now wish that I moved here in 2000 itself, I’d be much better established by now than what I am today.
You are doing the right thing, evaluate all your options and decide what suits your situation the best.
Good luck!
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What can be imagined, can be achieved.
As I came from the ME I guess probably I can understand your thniking well. However I left ME because I did not like the work environment and therefore have no regrets in fact I am happy after coming here for a reason if you know ur priorities life can be pretty good here offcourse with the ME money !!!.
However for those who like being in the ME and come here for the sake of children I feel what you are doing is right. Just remember one thing once you decide to migrate you won't be able to save either way with one earnigns. Here there is no money like ME. If you stay in ME you spend ur earnings with expenses. About the issues what you mentioned like govt offices etc.. those things are pretty simple here and nobody will say "Yallah Kalaas". Things are predictable however you shoud be ready to spend little more .
Considering the fact that you are happy there and you want your children to educate here .( a peculiar trend from ME people) I would suggest.
1. Buy a house . with 35 % down. Donot rent
2. Invest your money wisely.
3. Work as long as you can in ME. Keep visiting CA every 3 or4 months.
4. When you ready to come here do not expect big money.
5. Finally it depends on your age, ambition, contacts,desire to study and other motivational factors. I gave the eg. because I feel People from ME who lucky to make money because of Gulf, can get best of both the worlds.
I have a similar plan and intend to be in CA and India in 10 - 12 years time. with this way I can fulfill my desire of being in India and fulfill my children goal too as they do not have much attachement to India as I do. Morever once they get their education and passport the world is wide open .
I would say know your priorities, know your self and then decide. Nothing comes without sacrifices specially for 1st generation of immigrants. when you feel low think of those in ME labourers who get paid Dh.600 and get to see their family once in 2 years. Good Luck
Faisal,
I acknowledge your reply and thanks for your advice.
Mishtar India,
I thank you for your time for analyzing my situation in an excellent way.
Quote:
Orginally posted by Mishtar India
If your main motivation at this stage is to get them here so that they can get Canadian accent then i feel (imho) that you are going too far just for making them learn the Canadian accent.
Canadian accent only is not my motivation . I picked from several postings of forum members that it is always better to study secondary schooling in Canadian environment, Canadian Curriculum to prepare children for university education.
Quote:
Orginally posted by Mishtar India
The 3rd option of sending your family here and you continuing for next 3 -4 yrs does not seem very appealing. You might have bigger savings in 4 years but look at the additional hurdles you will have to face 4 years down the line :
2. You will miss out on sharing the experience of setting and exploring this new place. It may seem like a small thing but it is a very valuable bonding experience for the whole family to be together when they are in a new place.
I did not realize your point 2 under Option 3. I shall take it as an important factor in making final decision.
Quote:
Orginally posted by Mishtar India
Going be my experience, I had a similar situation, I had a chance of coming here in 2000, i delayed it till 2004 as I had a nice job in US. I now wish that I moved here in 2000 itself, I’d be much better established by now than what I am today.
You are doing the right thing, evaluate all your options and decide what suits your situation the best.
Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I shall post my decision, once I make it final.
Thanks again for your advice.
erra
