For many, immigrating to Canada is an opportunity—a chance to set sail once again in a foreign land with a different language, a different cultural background, and a different lifestyle. However, opportunity does not always equate to success. When dreams meet reality, this opportunity can become a double-edged sword. Ultimately, only those Canadian immigrants who can master this sword can thrive in the brand-new environment of Vancouver, develop new worldviews, perspectives on life, and values, and achieve success.
Many established immigrants tell newcomers: "Once you arrive in Vancouver, you have to start from scratch." Consequently, many develop the misconception that Canadian immigrants have no job opportunities in Vancouver and cannot find work. In fact, this statement is only half true. If the profession one practiced in their home country is in demand in Vancouver—such as chefs, IT engineers, nannies, landscaping, or home repair—one can find a job relatively quickly, and most of these jobs offer significantly higher incomes than in their home country. Of course, if one's profession does not fall within the scope of Canada's labor market shortages, finding a job will naturally be more difficult. This is the same principle as finding a job back home; a sought-after profession is sought-after everywhere. Below, we look at three real-life examples to see what life is really like for Canadian immigrants when reality shines into their dreams.
Xiao Zhao, a computer science graduate from a domestic university, worked as a programmer in Shenzhen, where working six days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. was the norm. For the first six months after immigrating to Vancouver, Canada, he worked hard to find a professional job, dreaming of resuming his career in a foreign land. But without an income, he could not continue to support his life in Vancouver; when reality hit his dreams, it was time to wake up. Consequently, he joined a small Chinese company as a network administrator. Although he escaped the routine of overtime, he always felt that something was off with his work and life. Fortunately, a year later, he successfully transferred to a programmer position within that same Chinese company and subsequently jumped to a more professional, larger firm. Speaking of his work experience, he said, "I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work in my profession." But in fact, this is inseparable from his personal ability. If he hadn't focused on his work and performed exceptionally well, how could he have gained the opportunity to transfer and the capital to switch jobs? Everything still requires genuine talent and hard work. Now, Xiao Zhao is very satisfied with his life in Vancouver; his income fully covers his small family's daily expenses, his wife focuses on raising their child, and the family goes on trips during holidays. His immigrant life has gradually become what he once dreamed of.
Mr. Li, who held an engineering degree from a domestic university, married his classmate from a different major shortly after graduation. Not long after they married, his wife went to Canada for further studies, while he remained in his home country to work, serving as the primary breadwinner to fund her education. Following his wife's desire to immigrate to Canada after graduation, Mr. Li also applied for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) from his home country. Precisely because he applied for the Canadian employer-sponsored BC PNP and found an employer in his matching field who could provide sponsorship, he not only successfully immigrated to Canada, but the employer also continued to hire him, completely bypassing the problem of job hunting. Such a situation is very lucky and also quite rare. Regardless of which province's employer-sponsored immigration program it is, finding an employer that matches one's profession is not easy, let alone having the employer willing to extend the contract and genuinely hire the immigrant. This situation is truly 30% hard work and 70% destiny. Now, Mr. Li has received his Permanent Resident card, no longer suffers from the pain of living apart, and enjoys a sweet and fulfilling life with his wife. The two are even planning to bring their parents over to live with them in the future.
Sister Li, who worked in finance in a major domestic city for many years before immigrating to Canada, came to Vancouver for her son's education. After hitting walls multiple times while looking for professional work, she recognized the reality and changed her career to become a nanny. At first, she started as an hourly worker, and relying on her years of experience in Guangzhou making soup at home, she was quickly appreciated by her employer and became a full-time nanny with a monthly salary of 4,000 CAD. Two years later, she saved enough for a down payment and bought an apartment for herself and her son under SFU mountain. With her own new home, life gradually became comfortable. However, Sister Li did not view being a full-time nanny as a long-term plan; in her spare time, she calmed down to read again, preparing to further her studies and obtain certifications. Regarding her current life, Sister Li says, "I don't regret bringing my child to immigrate to Canada; in fact, I feel fortunate. Seeing my son's refreshed state, I am very gratified." The education received back home—that there is no distinction between high and low jobs—has been best verified after immigrating to Vancouver, Canada. Most skilled immigrants are senior white-collar workers who previously held good jobs back home. However, Vancouver does not lack white-collar workers; it lacks manual laborers. The capitalist society of one's dreams has slowly become a socialist country over a century of evolution: truck drivers earn more than bank financial managers; nannies earn more than teachers—it all depends on whether one can adapt to the psychological gap. Fortunately, there is gain in every loss; no path is walked in vain. To some extent, the sacrifices of the new immigrant generation are paving the way for their descendants. Setting sail is not about returning to one's previous job back home, but about living each day well in reality.