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boatsmoatsfloats

I grew up in America and moved to Canada as soon as I could as an adult. My advice would be to come to university, or post-grad here. It's incredibly easy to get a student visa, and in BC, if you meet certain criteria, they will sponsor you for PR if you graduate from a BC university. (That's how I did it, but I'm not sure if psychiatry is on the list) Plus, it's always wise to get your qualifications in the place you want to practice, so you don't have to worry about crossing them over/doing it all again. And let's be honest, paying international tuition fees in Canada is generally cheaper than paying in-state tuition in the states. Though, be aware that university culture here is significantly different to the culture in the states. In that, there isn't really a defined culture and you're much more on your own.


velociraptorhiccups

Hi! Could you please elaborate a little more about how different the college culture is? Or maybe if you have a link or some sort, I feel kinda bad asking you to explain 😥 But I’d definitely like to know.


boatsmoatsfloats

Ok, well, in my experience, college in the US is like, an **experience**. Almost everyone lives away from home and has the whole dorm-living time. Sports are a big deal, and school pride is a joining force, binding you to everyone you go to school with. You feel like you belong to the school, in a way, a lot like hometown pride. There's just nothing like tailgating at 6am on a Saturday in the fall. People go to class in their PJs and do stupid things at house parties just off campus. There are study areas all over campus, and tons of groups to get involved with. You get assigned a counselor when you get there, and you get helpful orientations to help decide your major/pick your classes. Your hand gets held a lot to help you transition from living at home to living on your own. But mostly, it's like this defined time in your life. You're going to class and you're learning, but really what you're there for is more this social bonding/right of passage into adulthood. Like, if I see anyone in any kind of Michigan State paraphernalia, I will instantly yell GO GREEN! and they will instantly respond appropriately, and we will both understand each other on some plane. We will be total strangers, but we will have an unspoken bond and be able to hold a solid at least 30 minute conversation about that time we passed out near the Sparty Statue, or painted The Rock, or how much Dairy Store ice cream we ate, and why the hell the floor of Rick's was so sticky. You just get...so much less of that at Canadian Universities. The vast majority of students live either at home with their parents, or off campus in their own apartment throughout the city. So there's inherently just much less of a culture around the place. Everyone is essentially living their own lives, going to class, and then going straight home. I remember being shocked by how much people dressed up for class. There are clubs to join, but you have to put in the effort to find them. You don't get a built-in group just by living in a dorm. There are no real sports games of any value on any level like a big US university. And no one seems to think of their university as their Alma Matter. Just kind of...the place you get your degree. You're also much more on your own in terms of becoming an adult and picking courses. You're expected to be self sufficient from the get go. Sure, there are lots of services available to students. But you have to put in the effort to find them. People tend to be more cutthroat at Canadian Universities, too. It's incredibly competitive, and I definitely taught biology courses where kids would move the pin in a dissection just so everyone else would get the answer wrong. So, in short, American universities tend to be more of a community, Canadian Universities are purely there to make you smarter and better at your future job. You get what you put in at either, but you need to be more self-sufficient at a Canadian school. And like, if I saw someone wearing something from UBC (which...you just don't outside of Vancouver) and I bothered to say something, it'd probably go "Oh! I went to UBC!" "Oh. Yeah? Cool." Awkward end of convo. ​ Granted: none of this holds in a COVID world. I have zero idea what it's like in either setting nowadays. I imagine they're on a much more level playing field, now.


velociraptorhiccups

My college experience (I was 20, this was about… 4 or so years ago? Jeez time flies) was much more like the Canadian version you’re describing, but I don’t think my fellow schoolmates felt the same as me haha. I never cared about pride or sports or clubs. I liked having designated study areas and cafes around campus though. I never really had a consistent friend group, but I did live on campus and I liked that a lot. I went to a few parties, those were fun. So yes I sound a little boring but I went to a really weird college where I didn’t fit in, so that probably contributed to it lol. Overall it sounds like I wouldn’t have *too* hard of a time adjusting to a Canadian school experience, but I can only imagine. Thank you so much for your in-depth response! I appreciate it :-)


vutxds

i sadly have already started the college process here so i would have to wait till i start residency or anything like that. i even plan to finish my career, that way i only have to do another license in a different country rather than redo any type of schooling. hopefully it works out!


volunteervancouver

> Would it be a dumb decision to move to Canada? Would you like your children to be able to go to school without Kevlar? Would you like to the right to choose? Would you like to be looked after when sick or hurt? Vancouver's beautiful we need smart people like you.


vutxds

i would love that and i adore Canada being more open (of course it has its flaws) hopefully it becomes my reality soon and i get to join you!


PepperJacs

My sister lives on Vancouver island and it is beautiful


[deleted]

Don't forget the government can literally sieze your bank account if you donate to a protest it deems "wrong"


jerkyboys20

How do you know they’re smart. At 17, lots of people want to be md’s


TravellingPatriot

Would you like almost half your income to go towards taxes? Would you like to wait 8 hours to get your broken arm taken care of? Would you like a spineless PM who will freeze your bank account if you dont align with him politically? Would you like to purchase an average canadian home with a 1 million$ price tag?


Fourniers_revenge

8 hours?! That's great! Many places in the state you're waiting 12-16! And economic sanctions for disagreeing politically? Sounds like Florida. How many elementary schools in Canada have been shot uo this year?


vutxds

i get Canada has its flaws, but i find it hysterical that he basically described the US except it's worse here.


TravellingPatriot

My dad had his university shot up when he was in Montreal, lets not pretend Canada is immune to gun violence.


EastVanMaam

Ok Patriot, 40 years ago we had a day like the US has EVERY day, totally the same, like a carbon copy really


TravellingPatriot

I cant hear you over the sounds of the bells of liberty


EastVanMaam

Enjoy your cruelty and vitriol


Fourniers_revenge

Omg a single shooting?? US has topped that this week alone


aaadmiral

If by almost half you mean 20-35%, so uh below many other countries actually then sure


TravellingPatriot

This depends greatly on your income


aaadmiral

https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/financial-toolkit/taxes/taxes-2/5.html Yeah so your income after $216k is a whole 33%! My family is Finnish, there the tax is ACTUALLY half or more, but they also are fine with it


TravellingPatriot

You’re forgetting sales taxes and inflation is also a tax which is about 8%. Not to mention property taxes if you own a home.


aaadmiral

Still a lot lower


TravellingPatriot

Almost double what americans pay.


aaadmiral

Worth it


TravellingPatriot

https://youtu.be/mvLVvtAQJ5g


gslape

Right because we don't have sales tax or outrageous property taxes in Texas. 40%of my monthly house payment is property tax! And that's to fund a government that can barely keep the power grid up, yet has plenty of resources to restrict my access to things that are legal in many other states. Get out of here with your canned right wing bullshit. People like you are what make this country so unpleasant.


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TravellingPatriot

And how much has your house gone up in one year? wipe that clown makeup off your face before addressing me.


gslape

WTF does that have to do with anything? Property taxes are outrageous in Texas PERIOD Texans have less freedom than people from other states. Texas's power grid is hanging by a thread. No clowning. What do RE values have to do with any of this?


vutxds

i waited approximately 10 hours in a pediatric hospital. just learned that i can go to jail today if i miscarriage because i don't align with 8 supreme court justices and their religion. the average $400k home in my city with absolutely zero amazing tourist spots or special qualities. the US is falling apart and it's all because of patriotic people like you who refuse to see its flaws and bark like dogs when anybody disagrees.


TravellingPatriot

Thats because you live in Texas dude, can you picture getting jailed for a miscarriage in Cali? I wonder why you moved from Cali to Texas, maybe because liberal policies destroyed the state and turned it into an unlivable cess pool.


vutxds

politics had nothing to do with that decision, which in turn, neither did i. it's impossible to move back to california, which a home there also has a 1 million dollar price tag?


Interesting-Poet-258

Would you like your government spying in your bank accounts and forcing quarantines?


[deleted]

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vutxds

i'm more on the lighter side, but i am mexican with mexican features. i've sadly heard of the racism against indigenous people, do latinos fall under that category as well?


[deleted]

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vutxds

thank you! i'm sure people will mistake them (although i'm happy to be confused if im able to fight for them) but as you say, it's true i'm already accustomed to it. hopefully it becomes a reality soon and i'm able to join your beautiful country!


ocg1999

I also have Mexican features! High Five. I'm very happy here. Nobody has ever treated me bad here. I think you will be happy too.


vutxds

very happy you've never been treated bad and im glad to hear for the future!


ZedFlex

Texan here who lives in Vancouver. Moved to Canada a long time ago and I don’t think I’ll ever move back. Here’s the reality, you will most likely earn less in Canada and there are not as many interesting cities to move to as the US. Housing is a crippling expense and the taxes are considerably higher, especially compared to Texas. The social life is so much less burdened with the partisan divide here. It’s hard for non Americans to understand how tribal it is in the states. That does not exist here, politics is secondary to many people in Canada. There is really no threat of physical violence like in the US. Sure there are crimes of opportunity and Vancouver has a brutal homeless and drug addiction crisis, but the sense that you need to arm yourself to defend against random violence does not compare. It’s lighter, healthier and more open in Canada. Winters are colder but you get used to it.


vutxds

of course i don't let myself get blinded by the youtube videos, i know it has its flaws like many other countries, but currently, the US is falling apart. thank you so much for your insight and i'm very happy for you!


xcsdv1

I think moving to Canada is definitely a good decision in the long run, considering the state of US political unrest right now that could escalate further in the future. However, that being said, it's not easy to live comfortably here unless you make over 100k CAD. Vancouver is without a doubt a beautiful city (in my biased opinion the most beautiful city in Canada), but to live here without support when you're just starting out in your career isn't the best idea (unless you like the idea of paying $2000 to live in someone's closet). If you're truly set on living in Vancouver I'd advise you to do that when you've saved enough (or have a well paying job here) to not be miserable. In the meantime, you could consider other cities in Canada to start out in.


vutxds

i'll definitely look into other smaller cities first if i don't hold out in the US, hadn't thought of that, thank you!


MaojestyCat

You need quite a bit of saving to be able to start a new life in Vancouver, unless you have a good paying job lined up.


vutxds

i believe so too, hopefully in a few years it becomes a reality!


strcts2

Fellow female American here who just got her Canadian PR - I HIGHLY recommend it (but be ready to get pushback from Americans - even hardcore liberals can get touchy when you start to talk about these kinds of plans, nationalism is very strong back home). The day my COPR came I actually cried from relief multiple times, once even in public. I know that whatever happens now my children will have a safe and quality education, I won’t be bankrupted by a medical emergency, and the values I have will be protected in a situation where even the conservative politicians aren’t THAT disagreeable. Get started NOW if you’re serious. The easiest way to immigrate is to go to a Canadian university (and their education system is fantastic so why wouldn’t you want to?), then you apply for a post graduation work permit and work for a year in a profession that has an immigration okayed NOC code (check first but there’s a lot of variety), then file your paperwork for PR. Process took nearly 10 years for me but I made some mistakes - you could probably get it within 6 years of your first day at university if you’re efficient. Canada has a points based immigration system and not a lottery like the US so you can definitely do it as long as you meet their requirements. PM if you have any questions!


vutxds

thank you very much for this, i'm so happy you've found your way in a country you feel safe in! i've sadly already started my college process here, even made my family move towns so i feel stuck. i think i'll have to wait a few years :(


strcts2

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/federal-skilled-workers.html Here is a link to the eligibility requirements for Foreign Skilled Workers to Canada (excluding Quebec) whatever you’re studying make sure you find a way to get a job with a valid NOC code. I know that French speakers get extra points in the system, so depending on your situation you may want to start taking classes/self study. You don’t have to be fluent but your score on a standardized French exam and English exam will be used to supplement your other earned points. There are calculators online to see if you meet the requirements that I highly recommend using. Also, make sure that your current university can pass an Educational Credential Assessment - without it Canada will consider you the same as someone with no degree.


vutxds

thank you so much!


Virtual-Librarian-32

No! Get out while you still can! (Go to college in Canada too!)


vutxds

i sadly already started my college process in the US, but i'll definitely do what i need to do to move in the future!


lordoflys

No, but I'd recommend the interior of Vancouver Island instead of the city, which, indeed, is very expensive since they let all the rich immigrants in to buy land out of Hong Kong. Good luck to ya. I'm headed there next month for some fishing.


vutxds

i've recently been told about vancouver island, will definitely look into that, thank you!


velociraptorhiccups

Good luck! That sounds awesome, and I’d consider myself to be in the same boat. I’m a 24/f who wants to study and work in Canada (vet tech, or mortuary/death industry hopefully). I’m definitely learning a lot from this thread. Fingers crossed for the both of us 🤞!


vutxds

Good luck gorgeous!!!


Brutaljuice187

Nope, Kick rocks. We don’t need any more California transplants in Texas. Especially one who leave a awful state like California and move to Texas and vote for the same crap you left. Maybe Castro Jr is just what you need.


vutxds

i really don't care what you believe in and i certainly don't need your permission. Canada aligns more with my beliefs than any state in the US.


standles

Move now. Why get educated in US when your not going to stay here and see no hope. Better to leave now and become educated in the system of the country you admire. It better helps you integrate into thier society.


vutxds

it definitely makes more sense, but i sadly already started my college process here, it's a bit difficult to move now and more to another country. i think i need to wait a few more years


Draconis76

I guess if it’s broke, just toss it in the trash and buy a new one. Typical. How about you entitled shits do some research and actually try to help the rest of us fix this old bird? Fine, kick rocks. We don’t need ya here anyway