Well well well... many of us including myself have wondered what to do once you have finally landed in Canada and cried over the phone with your family for hours regarding how much you miss them.
These are some of the steps I and couple other people I know have followed with some mistakes that you can avoid. Lets get right into it :)
1. GET THE IMPORTANT STUFF OUT OF THE WAY
What you want to do the first thing after you have taken adequate rest and are feeling less like crying, find the nearest Service Canada and get you SIN. The most important document as without it you won't get any job. That document is your existence in Canada.
Now that, it's done, go to the bank you have your GIC in and get that work done. If you didn't have to open a GIC account before coming to Canada, do your research on Internet and find a good bank for yourself. Another thing about being newcomer to Canada is, amazing offers that many banks here provide if you open a bank account with them. So, make sure to check who is offering what as an value added product if choose their bank.
I personally use Scotia because my GIC was opened in this bank. But a lot of other friends have TD or CIBC as well. Choose wisely because closing a bank account after some time for a reason simple as account fee or something else wouldn't really be good on your record. Just remember, banks are important.
2. FIGURE OUT YOUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Well this totally depends upon which province you're staying in. Is it Ontario or New Brunswick or Nova Scotia or any other. Then use Mr. Google and ask him what kind of transport system is available there. Are there any apps? Download them. Because they will be your life savers.
For Toronto, I found Rocketman better than Transit as Rocketman was the real-time of a bus with even seconds included and honestly, just from my own experience I found Rocketman way more reliable than Transit. For the first couple of months, I used Transit since I didn't know about Rocketman, and Transit would tell me there's "0" minutes left which left like at least more than a minute a lot of the times and that was frustrating.
But just to be on the safe side, have both the apps downloaded. For all the ones who aren't in Toronto, research about your transit system so you are not completely lost on your first day like I was. I had no idea what to see on those Apps and how it worked, so get that done before your first day of being in the world alone.
P.S. Look up and see if it requires a pass or something else and who issues them or where you can get one. For Toronto, since there are different transit systems like TTC or Mississauga etc you will get either Presto or Mi-way. And use your Student card to get the discount :)
3. MAKE GOOGLE MAPS YOUR BEST FRIEND
How many of you aren't familiar with Google Maps as a newcomer? I wasn't, I am raising my hand high and if you are too, please comment below so I know I wasn't alone.
I had never used google maps before. I was born and raised in Delhi and and I didn't ever had to use the maps plus I had heard google maps in India aren't very useful since they aren't accurate as much they should be. You are still happy person asking the people than google maps in cities with thin roads or streets.
Coming back to what I was saying, Google Maps should be your best friend when you are in Canada. Out of 100 percent, 90 percent of the time you will be saved with Maps to know where to go but there are times when the remaining 10 percent comes in effect and even google maps can't figure out which way to go. The positive thing is its not gonna be everyday, just one in a while. So, start by searching random streets or placed around you and see you understand what on the screen means what. That's most important part. Understand your routes guys!
4. GET THE DRIVER'S LICENSE
So, if you haven't already made a plan for your DL (Driver's License) you should. If you aren't aware of the DL system in Canada like I wasn't (please tell me I wasn't the only one with no clue regarding how the DL worked in Canada) there are few different levels of license which gives you different amount of freedom. And don't be like me and think to get it later because you aren't buying a car right now. Just get this done and you won't have to take your passport everywhere as your proof, your DL would be enough.
Now, first level being where you give your theoretical knowledge test on a computer. That's called G1. Then comes G2 and G. G2 is your road test, where a person sits beside you and you show-off your cool skills. Whereas G being that you are officially allowed to drive on a highway whenever you want, because on G2 there are certain restrictions and you can find all of that information on Canada's official website! Then there even more kinds that gives you permission to drive a truck and as such.
Also, if you already have a license from India or any other country, I hope you brought your DL's extract. But if you didn't that's okay. You can ask your family to speed-post it you or if there's a friend coming soon whom you trust can also bring it for you. What that's going to do is you don't have to wait to give your G2. As per rules, after giving your G1 you have to wait 8 months to be eligible to give G2. So, if you have prior DL, get the extract and use it for your advantage!
5. DON'T PRESSURE YOURSELF TO FIT IN OR BE PERFECT!
A lot of the times, when we are new we end up keeping extremely high expectations of ourselves which isn't good and sometimes we end up comparing ourselves with people around us.
Just because you are new doesn't mean you have to follow what others are doing, assuming that it must be the correct way of living just because they are here before you. NAH-UH. That isn't always the case. Be yourself. Be who you are and don't try to fit in for the benefit of others. You may feel out of place but eventually you will find your kind of people.
Just to end this blog on a happy note, I want to share one of my experience as a newcomer in Canada. I was terrified of people and was an absolute introvert. I didn't initiate conversations, I didn't willingly make friends. But then some people just find their way around your guarded walls and you realize that you have already started to warm up to them. True friends mold to how you are and so will you for them, that's just how I feel friendship is.
And with that, I hope you found this article at least somewhat helpful. Please share it so more and more people can too find this helpful in someway to them.
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