ednut1:
who will now build nigeria when all of una wan run

Tamm:
How about you starting in your own little way, who knows, you might be the inspiration others need to take action! Until then...

ednut1:
who will now build nigeria when all of una wan run

yimiton:
Good morning Virtual Fam,

I am in the process of booking our flight and just noticed that flights leaving Nigeria to Toronto on Thursdays are cheaper than other days of the week. Is there a reason to be concerned? We're looking at leaving on Thursday, the 28th of December and landing on Friday, the 29th (Friday).

Is there a reason to be concerned?

ednut1:
u and who. Na sarcasm na. I dey enter pool soon o

XX01:
Abeg, all these -52, -39 I'm seeing. Will you still go to work in this weather or offices will cancel work for that day?

vcole:
@Nogen na to pack go sherbrooke oh. Make i go take french classes. Lol!

MummyJaygirls:

Just send a mail to cic, they will extend for u and will advice on how/ where to send your passports

Nogen:
Meeen! The cold got a better part of me yesterday. I came back exhausted!

My house hunt yesterday took an interesting turn. I saw an advert on kijiji about a fully furnished apartment for 750$ a month. In my mind, it's a great deal. I took a taxi to the apartment and I wasn't satisfied. Na wao for these Canadians , they said fully furnished but I met nearly empty apartment. 2 dirty sofas in the living room, cooker, fridge , Internet. That's all. Is this what I will pay 750$ monthly? No space for my kids to play except I take them to a nearby park.

I left the place to a second apartment , managed by the same agent. A 3 and half , better than the first one at 550 dollars a month. Has 2 dirty sofas again. I looked at the environment and said maybe we could manage this.

I then went to look for Service Canada office to obtain my Social Security number. The house agent took me to the mall instead. God works in mysterious ways. I used the opportunity to buy a few things we needed . Was about to call a taxi when my phone went flat. I saw a black guy sitting somewhere in the mall. I approached him and begged him to please call me a taxi that my phone was flat. He asked where I was going to. I told him. He brought out his phone and the next thing he said, " Come , let me drop you off to the place" I was scared. He sensed that and quickly introduced himself as a Malian and asked me where I came from. I said I'm Nigerian. He was perplexed! A Nigerian in Sherbrooke ? You guys go to Toronto and the Anglophone provinces not French!

Then I became relaxed and he took me there. We got talking and he got to know about my house search. He waited for me to get my Number and he then took me to his Caretaker after introducing me to his wife and 2 children. I became totally comfortable. He brought me back to the hotel , met my husband and children. An hour later, he came back and picked me up to see the apartment the Caretaker spoke about earlier.

I fell in love immediately! It has all that I asked for. Large space at the back and at the front, a garage, a storage facility outside, 2 large bedrooms, a modern cooker, big fridge, heater, hot water and a serene environment and I even have a small garden. 5 minutes walk to the Mall, 2 mins walk to an elementary school and a Daycare center. It also came cheaper at 525 dollar a month. The only thing is that we can't move in until the 3rd of January and I have to pay 35 dollars a month for electricity.

He agreed to be my guarantor and the wife is taking me to stores where I can buy stuffs for the apartment at a reasonable rate. He is coming this morning to take me to the Landlord and sign the contract. He is an Angel sent by God to help me at this very critical point in my life. God really works in mysterious ways.

salford1:

I shuttle between Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Been in Calgary for a while now.

Nogen:


Exactly what I have been telling myself.

KrustyKomet:


It's just another day up in the Great White North.

Tamm:
In my opinion, I think CFA provides a better chance at core finance jobs as it is distinct from accounting. While a MSc Finance or MBA qualification may provide a better chance at key finance positions and faster growth, a person with a CFA qualification like an engineering or a statistics major grad can more easily get a job as an analyst in an investment bank than an accounting major. Also, CFA is more North America-focused (JP Morgan et al than say UBS as an example), so he has nothing to worry about if his destination is Canada.

Finally, since most analysts start pretty early (in their early 20s) with no family obligations and are thus able to work the long hours that the job demands, he might want to reconsider his career choice, particularly if he has no prior experience in the sector which will enable him start in a slightly better role than an analyst.

PS: Core finance is a totally different ball game than what obtains in most banks in Nigeria, hence, any experience in the Nigerian banking sector may not count for much. Hope this helps.

Alantobie:
Hi everyone. I'm a student that just arrived in Montreal two days ago. I find it hard to understand how some stuffs work here so please if there is anyone here in Montreal, I would love us to meet so you could explain some things to me.

TheCongo2:


I just left Montreal 2 days ago. I was there for Christmas vacation. I live in London, Ontario. If you don't find anyone to assist you, I can connect you to my sister and her husband. They live in Montreal.

Nogen:
Air Maroc isn't that bad after all. The only complaint is the long hours one has to stay at the Casablanca airport before departure. But we tried to make use of the kids playground at the airport. My children had something to distract them for hours.

We left our home at 11pm on the 25th December because we didn't want to take the risk of going to the airport at 2am. At 2:30 am, check in commenced and we had 10 luggage checked in..

We moved over to the lounge to wait for boarding. Caught some sleep and at 5am/5.30am, boarding started. I have 3 super active 2 year old. It was their 1st time flying as toddlers. They cried and wailed for about 3 hours to Casablanca. They couldn't be pacified. We did everything except spanking. Maybe , we should have. It was not a good experience. As babies, on our way from the US via Delta Airline, they were the most behaved babies. In fact, the flying crew gave them presents. They didn't cry at all. They simply ate and slept. But with Air Maroc, they gave my husband and I , the disgrace of our life. The crew even had the audacity to tell us to start training them well. Kai! I have suffered!

Before we left for Canada, I took them one by one to the Toilets and gave them stern warning. If they disgrace us one more time, they will certainly have it hot with me. I was done with the cries and wails. As if they listened, our 7 and half hours flight to Montreal was lit. They were well behaved. They watched some animated movies and probably, if we had that in the Lagos to Casablanca flight, they would have been calm. They ate, drank , watched movies, coloured their animated booklet and the flight was a smooth one. Phewww!

At the point of entry, we used the electronic machine to sign in and then moved to the Officer for us to be stamped in. Then , as soon as I brought out my children's Blue passports, one overzealous officer began to question how I got them! Can you imagine? Was I living in the US? How come I gave birth there with a visiting Visa? In all, I was calm because I didn't sneak into the US to use their Health Facilities. I told her I was carrying triplets and wanted the best medical care I could get. I had a visiting visa then. She interrupted me: "So, you decided to use it to give birth as of I was just visiting the US!" I said No! Before I became pregnant, I have traveled so many times to the US. When pregnancy came, I wrote the Embassy informing them of my intention to use the visa for delivery and they replied that I could go ahead and make sure I paid my bills which I did. Would that be an offense? She then kept quiet! She stamped us in and then directed us to where I would get my study permit.

While I was on the queue at Immigration point 2, an officer asked to see our passports. I gave her. She asked if the children are leaving Canada within 6 months, I said No. They are staying with me all through my studies. She sent us back to Immigration point 1 to collect another form. They should have given us the form over there. I went back but this time around, a male officer attended to us. He was the opposite of the female officer who initially attended to us. He was kind and took his time to prepare the documents for the kids. They were given study permits too that would last as long as mine. I was so much in a hurry to get our luggage that I forgot to get my Social security number or something like that. Will be getting it today or tomorrow.

At the baggage claim, we saw 9 out of our 10 luggage. We went to loge a complain but Air Maroc stand was empty. We were asked to call their number. We then moved to catch our Airport shuttle to Sherbrooke. It was about 2 and half hours journey from Montréal. It's a beautiful and calm town. Our shuttle took us to the Hotel where we are still at waiting to rent an apartment. Would be seeing one today and most likely going to rent it. A 2 bedroom fully furnished with everything from Internet to TV to everything. We just take our luggage and ourselves in. Then , we can move in comfortably.

I also opened an account yesterday with RBC which was recommended by one of the receptionists at the hotel. They don't charge on student's account. So, I'm cool with that. I also went to the Mall to buy a Sim card. Settled with Fido because they were the only company willing to give me a Sim without my social security number . They used my Study permit Code , International Passport and Student Visa.

For the missing luggage, ( it was the suitcase that contains our local food, my Garri, semo, ogbono, crayfish, powder pap, etc . All the flours and blended food stuffs were kept their to avoid rupture. It is an echolac suitcase) I called the number I got from the airport, was advised to go to their Facebook page to send my complaint. Which I did and an administrator took it up. I got a message from him last night asking me.to go to the airport and pick up my luggage. It was found and kept for me.

For missing luggage, I have had a missing luggage issue with Delta, Air France and KLM and I didn't go about thrashing them on social media. Those suitcases were eventually found and I picked them up at Lagos Airport. There's nothing wrong with Air Maroc, people just like to follow crowd and lose objectivity! Their food from Casablanca to Montreal was good too. My children enjoyed it (Fish and vegetable). The crew was nice too but can't say so with the Lagos to Casablanca crew. They were not so nice maybe they were irritated by my children's behavior but they are 2 year olds for crying out loud. One even said something nasty in French, not knowing I speak French..I told her never to repeat that in her life! She was shocked. Aside that, anyone who wishes to fly them, can go ahead. If I don't use them again, it would be because of the long wait not because of their services.

Alantobie:
Hi everyone. I'm a student that just arrived in Montreal two days ago. I find it hard to understand how some stuffs work here so please if there is anyone here in Montreal, I would love us to meet so you could explain some things to me.

Alantobie:


That would be helpful. I appreciate

amindondee:
Application Timeline Update
Just to share experience for others to be positive minded especially London VO people

IELTS: 2nd Feb 2016 (LRWS 8.5, 7.5,7.5,7)
ECA (WES) Completed: 12th July 2016 (Masters & BSc.) - Although BSc not needed
EE Profile Created: 21st July 2016 - Overall Score = 454

Waited and waited!!!! and tried Provincial Nomination but no one wanted me

EE Score dropped to 449 after birthday (26th August 2016)
Was alsways oberserving the draw out comes and then suddenly observed the sharp drop in January 2017
ITA: 8th February 2017 Celebrated all night with my family
Document gathering became challenging, especially proof of funds as expenditure is always scattered from different accounts. My wife and I had already opened a joint account to safe up the money for this purpose there, but we had just embarked on an investment. So we started saving a fresh again into the account and transferring money from friends and family. Prepared land sale documents and deed of funds; wrote a LOE for my POF to explain all transactions in my account above the value of 250k following Vcole's advice; my LOE (POF) was 13 pages. did affidavit for 2 of the companies that have folded up now in respect of work reference. Did our medicals and finally made submission before 90 days was over. pwhew!!!

eAPR- AOR: 14th April 2017
Observed that I used the short form of my son's first name (Yoruba name) instead of the one written on the passport. I emailed the application center and was updated after a month.

Medical Passed: 16th June 2017
IP1: 16th June 2017

Stuck on IP1 for a month, then decided to email CIC for update. Emailed on 27th July 2017 and got the almighty automated reply that my application was sent to London VO. Kai, I just began to think all sorts - I schooled in London and was there for 2 years post study (I also did my wedding there). I had read different things about wrong NOC from marriage certificate and location of work and all etc.

Waited and waited and waited. Emailed London VO twice and no response. Since there was no response my wife decided to change her last name and get a new international passport. So, we did that and sent the new passport update to London VO
Ordered 1st GCMS notes from GETGCMS: 1st October 2017 (Notes received on 30th with all seeming to be in order)
Ordered 2nd GCMS notes from Myimmitracker: 18th October 2017

My wife's new passport got stolen so we had to do a new passport and then send another email to London VO (2nd Nov 2017). Trust me, me self tire
Emailed London VO again on the 14th November
IP2: 16th November 2017
PPR: 20th November 2017
DHL Delivery to Accra: 27th November 2017
Approved: 22nd December 2017


Total duration AOR-PPR: 220 days

Awaiting COPR

Arriving in March - Either Mississuaga or Ottawa. Currently undergoing some bridging programmes

Happy New Year to Everyone

vcole:
@oohunt, I've been meaning to mention you on here as it's been a while you posted. Welcome to Calgary in advance. As advised Burlington coat factory. Get thermal wear for yourself and the kids. So layer up. Like a singlet, thermals, shirt, sweater then jacket with a hat. Thermals or fleece lined tights, pants and fuzzy socks then winter boots. This week has been cold in Calgary and as salford1 says when you land it'll be warmer but iunno if it'll be as warm for you. Lol!