Let me introduce you to Mourad, from Oujda, Morocco. Mourad applied for permanent residence through the Québec skilled worker program and was granted his visa in the summer of 2009. He is a patient guy… The immigration process took an astonishing four years and a half!
Nonetheless, Mourad is happy to be here. He lives in Gatineau, QC, minutes from Ottawa where he works as a French language instructor.
The story of how Mourad and I met is funny. Last year, when we were travelling in Brazil, he found my blog and sent me an email regarding info about Ottawa. I did my best to answer his questions and wished him luck. Last September, I showed up at the language school where I was a teacher. A “new guy” looked at me and asked: “Are you Zhu, by any chance?” He knew I was living in Ottawa, and he recognized me from the few pictures I have of myself on this blog. The world is a small place…!
What brought you to Canada?
I guess I chose Canada because it’s a beautiful (and huge!) country. Besides, I like the fact a substantial part of the population speaks French. Canada is also a multicultural country (and it welcomes immigrants). Finally, I like the fact it is so close to the U.S.A.
Did you find the immigration process difficult?
To me, the immigration process was a gruelling experience. It was long and expensive. It took me over 29 months to get my CSQ (Québec selection certificate) and it took another two years for my application to be approved by the federal government. If you decide to start the immigration process, it takes time and tenacity.
How long did it take you to find a job that you liked in Canada?
I landed on August 14, 2009. I didn’t start to look for a job right away: instead, I toured the National Capital Region, around Ottawa, for three weeks. My ex-girlfriend’s friends invited me to stay at their place for the first couple of weeks. Then, I had to look for my own place to live. It only took me five days.
At the end of the third week, I started to look for a position as a French instructor in one of Ottawa’s many language schools. I listed all of them, along with their addresses and phone numbers. Meanwhile, I filled in a job application at my local supermarket, just in case I couldn’t find a teacher position right away.
But barely two days after I sent out resumes and cover letters, I was asked for an interview in a language school. I was hired on the spot. I have been working there for five months now. I like it even though I may not stay.
Where did you learn English? What was your second language level when you first came to Canada?
I learned French at school in Morocco. It then became my major and I studied French language and literature at university. I also taught French in high school for a long time.
English isn’t my strength (Note from Zhu: I translated this interview from French). I try to practise this language as much as I can, but I think I should take classes in order to truly progress. I do try to speak English with my friends but we almost always switch back to French!
What was your biggest culture shock?
I don’t think I experienced a big culture shock. I mean, Morocco is very different from Canada, on many levels. But I didn’t really feel the culture shock everybody talked about.
I did live in France for a while and to me, both countries are fairly similar.
I think I’m still at the honeymoon stage. I don’t spend my time comparing Morocco and Canada because there are way too many cultural and practical differences. I try to understand these differences. I also try to adopt a new way of life—it’s a lot of fun.
What haven’t you gotten used to yet in Canada?
I’d love to know how to skate like a true Canadian! Obviously, winter sports are very new to me and I’m still not used to all these hockey, skiing, and snow rackets things.
Did immigrating to Canada match your expectations?
I think I mostly wanted to immigrate to see if I could be up to the challenge, but also to discover the world. It is a chance to get to know me a lot more… to see what I’m capable of. So far, so good. I’m discovering a lot of new things and I’m living in a new culture, I see new scenery, and I meet a lot of new friends… like you, Zhu!
But it is also true that immigration is also a way of running away… That said I have expectations for myself, no matter where I am in this world.
Do you find life expensive in Canada compared to your home country?
Yes, Canada is super expensive compared to Morocco. Food (especially meat and fish, which I love) is way more expensive.
Will you apply for Canadian citizenship?
Of course! Once I meet the requirements, I will definitely apply for Canadian citizenship. I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be a milestone in my life.
What advice would you give to someone interested in immigrating to Canada?
My best advice? Think twice about your immigration project before you start the process. You need to be strong, confident and able to pull yourself together during uncertain times. You must also be strong-willed in order to succeed.
And last but not least… the immigration process takes a lot of time—use this time wisely and start to learn to speak both French and English.
I just love the cultural mosaic that is Canada 🙂
.-= Agnes´s last blog ..You can’t help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn’t spell it right; but spelling isn’t everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn’t count. =-.
It is nice to see that Canada is accepting so many immigrants from so many different countries !
.-= Sidney´s last blog .. =-.
I love this series Zhu, very interesting thoughts from people from different countries, makes my journey to Canada seem almost painless, although it wasn’t….
Thanks for popping by my blog and commenting.
Gill in Southern Ontario
.-= Gill´s last blog ..When your eyes are greedier than your stomach…………. =-.
What a cool idea! And how helpful for your readers to hear stories like this. The internet definitely makes the world a smaller place.
.-= angela´s last blog ..Free Sunday at the Louvre =-.
Oh my, the world is really, really small!
Because I keep bumping into people I don’t like to see sometimes. Ha ha…
I just realised that France used to have quite a few colonies in Africa in the past.
And half of the continent was also colonised by the British.
So don’t you think the entire Africa is a bit like Canada?
Since people there speak mainly English & French?!
Ha ha…
.-= London Caller´s last blog ..The Louvre by Dusk / 卢浮宫的黄昏 / Muzium Louvre pada Waktu Senja / ルーヴル美術館の黄昏 =-.
Do you know if immigrant needs to gain its teaching crenditial first before he/she can teach in Ottawa? It sounds like it does not need, is that because it is a language school? thanks!
.-= micki´s last blog ..Wisteria Tea House =-.
Hey micki, if you want to teach in a publicly funded school in canada it is a regulated profession and you can get a license after your credentials/education is recognized. Look here:
http://www.oct.ca/IET/?lang=en-CA
It’s the body that regulates teachers in Ontario. As far as other teachers, like zhu as a language instructor in the past, I have no idea.
Wow Mourad!
That’s a long time to get PR! I thought our 15 month application process was FOREVER!
btw, Hi zhu, coming up in April to check out rental properties for the big move after june. Been looking at places in Barrhaven and Kanata. talk to you soon.
Thanks Rick for the information!
.-= micki´s last blog ..Ling Jiao Station, Ping Si Branch =-.
@Agnes – I think over 200 ethnicity are living in Canada! Can you imagine? It’s really cool.
@Sidney – Yes, multiculturalism is a great thing I believe.
@Gill – I feel the same here. All those stories make my own immigration look easy and straightforward!
@angela – It does! I’m hoping to gather different points of view and opinions. So far so good!
@London Caller – 😆 France did have a lot of colonies, like Portugal, Spain and the U.K.
@micki – Sorry I’m very late to reply! Ottawa is a special case because it’s the capital. Most government employees must be bilingual so there is a huge demand for French instructor. If you work in the private sector like I did (and Mourad does), you don’t need specific Canadian credential. Employers usually ask for some experience and a degree in French, teaching, education or any related field. To teach in schools you must have a Canadian teaching degree or equivalent.
@Rich B – Thanks for explaining how it works to Micki! I know, I thought of you guys… I got my permanent residence quite fast and I can’t believe how long it took for him. But that is apparently the average processing time for most of Northern Africa.
@micki – I love my readers! They are so helpful 😉
Hi Zhu, I know you asked me about this and I was sloppy…. very sorry about that! I am very curious and interested in reading the stories of other readers. 🙂 I bet each and every one is unique and challenging. Thanks for bringing this to the world, Zhu!
.-= Priyank´s last blog ..Veliky Novgorod =-.
Thanks Zhu for your detail reply! The similiar policy applies to California as well. A teaching credential is not required to teach Chinese in the Chinese schools here. However, the state certified teachng credential is required to teach in the public and private schools here.
.-= micki and Kristen´s last blog ..Ling Jiao Station, Ping Si Branch =-.
Thanks Zhu for your detail reply! The similiar policy applies to California as well. A teaching credential is not required to teach Chinese in the Chinese schools here. However, the state certified teachng credential is required to teach in the public and private schools here.
.-= micki ´s last blog ..Ling Jiao Station, Ping Si Branch =-.
Ey ey… finally Mourad arrived to Ottawa and i am the ex-girlfriend…so Zhu!! congratulations for ur blog, and yes , u are right, it is very funny for me to read: “He is a patient guy”, it was not easy for the people who were around him to encourage about a dream that was sounding “soooo farrrr” sometimes…but he is a dreamer, and people like him needs to get their dreams; CONGRATS MOURAD!!
🙂 I can imagine it’s very hard for people around him to support him. His immigration story is quite amazing but boy, the process was unbelievably long! It kind of put life on hold, doesn’t it!
Superbe interview, superbe photo, superbe projet… Plus que jamais cette devise : “Ils ne savaient pas que c’était impossible, alors ils l’ont fait” (Mark Twain). Merci Zhu et que du bonheur à mon ami Mourad :).