Kim and Paul recently migrated to Toronto, Canada from the Philippines.
How long has it been since you landed?
Kim: My visa was going to expire but I wasn’t ready to move so I did a soft landing in 2018. I fully moved March 2019.
Paul: I landed in September 2021, so it has been around one and a half years now.
Why did you choose Canada? how did you end up here? (did you decide as a couple?)
Kim: It was mostly my decision. I was looking for opportunities to study abroad and talked to an immigration consultant. He told me about the Express Entry pathway for Canada so I decided to explore that. I moved first then Paul followed.
Paul: I wanted to support Kim’s interest in taking up further studies here in Canada and we know how difficult a long distance relationship could be so we figured we should just immigrate together. Aside from that, I’m also eager to explore better job opportunities here as well. I got in through the Spousal Sponsorship program.
Top 3 reasons you decided to move to Canada?
Mainly for practical reasons
- Work opportunities
- Several top schools if we decide to pursue further studies
- Canada is welcoming to immigrants so we figured it will be easier to adjust
Has it always been canada? Did you consider anywhere else?
We thought about Australia but only tried moving to Canada.
What was your life back in the Philippines? Can you describe your life and work?
Kim: The year before moving to Canada, I finished my master’s degree in Psychology, took the Psychologist Board Exam, and practiced for a short while as a psychologist. I worked at a private clinic and in UP Diliman PsycServ providing psychosocial support for students. I also volunteered at UP PGH Circle of Hope. It’s a support group for youth with cancer and their families.
I was juggling both work and school. I loved it, though. I was quite busy and overworked but It was fulfilling. I was in a field that I’m really passionate about.
Outside of work and school, nothing special. I did normal stuff, went out with friends, took fitness classes, and traveled.
Paul: I’m an Electronics Engineer by profession and I worked as a circuit designer in a semiconductor company.
What was a regular day like in the PH?
Kim: I feel like it’s been so long that I don’t know if this is accurate. But really, it was mostly work during the day, study at night, and other social stuff when I had the time.
Paul: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I had a typical 8am-5:30pm workday with one and a half hours break sprinkled in between. After work, I either go to the gym or play badminton. My weekends are mostly spent with friends and family.
The pandemic really changed a lot in my routine. Of course we had to transition to work from home and I can’t do any of my usual after office activities. I mostly stayed indoors except when I had to run errands or buy groceries. The good thing was that I was able to spend more time with my family.
And now, how is it similar or different?
Kim: It’s become different. I find that I spend less time commuting to work or school. I have more time to volunteer and explore other interests. I have a 9-5 job where I am able to clearly set boundaries. I take trainings to work on registering as a Psychotherapist here. One inconvenient aspect is I’m spending more time with household chores here than I did in the Philippines. Other services too are more expensive like facials, massages, mani-pedi, etc. So if I used to do those once a month in PH, it’s far less often here.
Paul: When I arrived in Canada, COVID-19 restrictions were easing up so I felt I had more freedom to move around and do the things I want.
What are you currently doing now? Work?
Kim: I work at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies which is a non-profit organization offering mindfulness-based programs for stress, depression, and other mental health concerns as a Community Program Lead and Mindfulness Facilitator.
Paul: I work in Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) as an Analog Designer. AMD is a semiconductor company that develops computing solutions for both consumer and enterprise markets. Some of our products include CPUs and GPUs found in laptops, desktops, up to servers and data centers, semi-custom SOCs that power the latest gaming consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and Steam, and embedded technologies which enhance multimedia and AI powered experience in latest Tesla electric vehicles – it even allows you to play the latest video games in your Tesla.
How are you finding your new life?
Kim: It’s fine. I find that, generally, my quality of life increased when I moved. I find that I’m more able to pursue other hobbies and interests. When I was in the Philippines, my identity was strongly attached to my career and achievement. I don’t feel the same way now. Here, I feel like I can freely explore other career paths if I choose to do so.
I also have time to volunteer and explore my interest for helping dogs. During the pandemic, I started fostering dogs. I foster failed and adopted one so I’ve recently slowed down to focus on his training. But we’re still involved through dog sitting for the rescue organization.
Did you find any difficulty in moving? Adjusting?
Kim: I had a strong support system in the Philippines and it was difficult to lose that when I moved here on my own. To avoid getting super homesick, I made an effort to connect with others and fill my schedule with activities. I also found it difficult to navigate some services. It took me a year to find a family doctor. Some are minor things like not knowing where to buy stuff or get something you need. In the Philippines, it was super easy because you just go to the mall for all your needs. But here, I had to research to know where to go to print something or have my picture taken, etc.
Moving into the city was initially difficult as well. At first, I couldn’t afford to live alone so I lived with a roommate.
Career-wise, I’ve done a lot of work to build my career in the PH. Initially, I had some regrets about moving because I felt like I wasn’t able to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Here, I had to start over and build my credentials again. I feel differently now and believe that it was the right decision to move.
Paul: I was the only one in my family to move here. I also had to leave all of my friends behind. So I always felt there’s a piece of me that’s left in the Philippines. Fortunately, Kim was already here when I moved so adjusting for me felt a lot easier and I didn’t have to go through most of the difficulties she had experienced when she first moved here.
I was also able to get a job in my field which I am especially grateful for. Even though I left the career I’ve built up in the Philippines, working here has opened new opportunities for me.
What are your plans for the immediate future? Long term future?
I think we’re just focusing on growing our roots here, setting aside some money for the future, and enjoying the stable life that we have created. No major plans aside from traveling and exploring Canada.
Is Canada for you? Is it for everyone?
Canada is offering us so much and we are enjoying our life here. Our knowledge and experience expanded a lot and we gained access to training, workshops, and job opportunities that we otherwise wouldn’t have access to had we stayed in the Philippines. However, the reality is that Canada is far from our home country and moving here definitely comes with its own set of hardships that we just have to accept.
Not sure if it’s for everyone. It really depends on your needs, what you want in life, and what you wish to build.
What are the pros and cons of moving to Canada?
Pros:
- Tons of opportunities (depending on your field)
- Access to free social services
- Welcoming to immigrants (lots of free programs for newcomers to help them adjust)
- Free healthcare
- Less stigma around mental health so many supports are available
- Pet-friendly city (specific to Toronto)
Cons
- Healthcare is free but not as easy to navigate
- In Toronto, public transpo is a little chaotic right now
- HIGH cost of living
- Tipping culture
- Although the population is pretty diverse, you will still encounter some cover and overt racism
Is there onething you wish you knew before moving?
Even though Canada has free healthcare, we were quite surprised that it was actually quite difficult to find a family doctor here in downtown Toronto. Although we heard it’s not as bad outside downtown. We also find navigating health services here quite challenging.
Any tips/advice for those thinking of moving?
- Take advantage of the free pre-arrival services and programs for newcomers
- Network and build connections
- Enjoy and explore your area. There are many free events or low-cost activities
- Volunteer! It’s a good way to help your community, meet friends, and build your resume.
Organizations:
Centre for Mindfulness Studies: Register or Donate at the Mindfulness Challenge https://secure.qgiv.com/event/mindfulnesschallenge/
The Centre for Mindfulness Studies is a charitable social enterprise founded in 2011 in downtown Toronto. It is the leading professional development and service delivery organization for mindfulness-based interventions in Canada.
Each year, hundreds of people meditate together to make mindfulness-based mental health programs accessible to individuals and communities in need. Mindfulness Challenge 2023 is
a virtual meditate-a-thon to support the mental health of underserved populations
Fetch + Releash
Fetch + Releash is a volunteer run dog rescue dedicated to saving dogs in need. Their foster dogs come from a variety of different backgrounds such as pounds and shelters, strays and surrendered pets, both locally and abroad.
Adopt, Volunteer, or Donate – https://www.fetchandreleash.ca/