This article is taken from the special issue of Le Figaro “D’Est en Ouest – Vivre au Canada”, available on the Figaro Store.
Her blog and podcast: faistufrette.com.
“To prepare your project, you will obviously find a lot of relevant information on the Internet. However, be vigilant about the sources consulted, especially with regard to immigration procedures. Do not take all personal stories at face value either, because each case is unique. Beyond the guides, I recommend future expatriates to immerse themselves in Quebec literature and in works that decipher the codes of the Belle Province. Because, when you move to Quebec, it is essential not to underestimate the extent of the culture shock. Here we are in North America and not in a distant cousin of France! Lifestyles and consumption patterns, way of thinking, interpersonal relationships, everything is different. In general, Quebecers do not like conflict.
Here, we avoid angry discussions and, unlike France, we avoid the debate of ideas. On the other hand, there is a subject on which Quebecers go to the quarter turn, it is the language! Don’t you dare criticize their expressions or turns of phrase, and even less their accent – besides, here it is we who have one. Pay attention to the question of familiarity, which is far from being as rapid and systematic as one might imagine. Yes, in the supermarket or in transport, Quebecers are easily familiar. But, in certain situations – especially with a possible future employer – you have to “keep yourself a little embarrassed”, as we say here. I would advise starting with the formal address and waiting for the person opposite to suggest changing registers. Don’t misunderstand the meaning of familiarity either: just because you practice it with your boss doesn’t mean you’re close and that won’t stop him from firing you overnight if he sees fit. necessary. When it comes to friendships, it is better to be patient. Quebecers are, at first glance, very warm and very helpful, but getting into their inner circle takes a lot of time. To make contacts, get involved in associations in your neighborhood (groups of parents of pupils, help for the most disadvantaged, etc.). Professionally, be open to opportunities. You don’t go 6000 km from home to live the same life as before! This new beginning can even be an opportunity to reinvent yourself…”
HIS BLOG: fringinto.com (also on Youtube and Instagram)
“It is important to keep in mind that when we arrive in Canada, no one is waiting for us. We are the ones who made the move to immigrate and it is therefore up to us to adapt and make concessions. This is particularly true for work: many newcomers are waiting to find the perfect job, the equivalent of what they did in France. But it is better to start with a small job, on the one hand because a period of inactivity will be difficult to justify to a future employer (the latter will always prefer to hire someone who has worked six months at Starbucks rather than someone who did nothing). And, on the other hand, starting with a position without too many responsibilities – or even with voluntary missions – allows you to take the time to immerse yourself in the culture, the hierarchical relations and the language. If you are going alone, the ideal is to find a roommate with English speakers and/or Canadians. They will help you to progress if your level of English is average and can be a valuable support for the administrative procedures – moreover, if you have a temporary visa and you know that you want to stay, start very quickly to find out about the next steps. Take advantage of every opportunity to socialize by joining the gym, attending events, and more. Also think about multiplying friendships, because not all the people you meet will necessarily still be there in six months or a year… Also avoid comparing things by telling yourself “in France it was not like that”, automatically in a failure situation. Canada is not an Eldorado, there is more and less everywhere! It’s up to you to see if the “pluses” compensate for the “minuses” or if you miss certain things too much. Finally, trust yourself and don’t listen to those who will try to discourage you from carrying out your project. You can also tell yourself that this experience is not necessarily forever, it will release the pressure. Personally, I thought I was going for a year (I arrived with a PVT), but I’ve been in Toronto for almost nine years now! I even just got Canadian citizenship…”
Since September 2022, the family (which has grown with the birth of a baby boy) lives in Calgary, Alberta. HER BLOG: morningsophie.com (also on Youtube and Instagram)
“If, like us, you decide to start the process to obtain permanent residence from France, I advise you to list everything that needs to be done because between language tests, the evaluation of diplomas or even the medical visit, you can quickly be overwhelmed! Also remember to budget for this process, because it has a cost: in total, for us and our daughter, we had to pay between 4000 and 5000 euros. Going to Canada is good, but you still have to know where, because the country is big… It is essential to carry out research and define your priorities (do you want to speak French or English, have snow or not? , live in an urban environment or not, etc.) This allows us to know which city can correspond to us. Then, to choose a district, do not hesitate to use social networks. When we moved to Calgary, the Facebook group “Français à Calgary” helped us a lot. Many candidates for expatriation do not even think of the English-speaking provinces because of their level of English. I’m proof that we can get out of it very well because, when I arrived in Vancouver, my English wasn’t great – in addition, I had just undergone a professional retraining and I didn’t master the vocabulary of my new profession.
When I did my interview, I played fair and the recruiters said, ‘It’s not a problem, in three months you’ll be speaking very well.’ And they were right! On the other hand, try to prepare your children for the language of Shakespeare (by watching cartoons in English, for example): my daughter was a little slowed down, at first, to communicate with her classmates and it would have helped her to have some notions. From a professional point of view, I would also advise to inquire about the salary scales. When you immigrate, you tend to accept what they give you and you don’t know how much Canadians are paid. Do not hesitate to raise the subject with those around you: money is not a taboo subject here, and it is easy to negotiate your salary. In fact, it was by talking to people who did the same job as me that I realized that I could earn a lot more! »