Living in Canada for a year: what an experience

In April 2007 I went to Canada for a year with a Working Holiday Program (WHP visa). This is a kind of visa for anybody who is between 18 and 30 years old. You don’t need a job in advance to apply for this visa. It is especially for young people who wants to get work experience abroad. Go to the website of the Canadian Embassy in your country to see how you can apply for this visa. Trust me it is very easy!

At the end of November 2006 I sent all my papers to the Canadian Embassy in Germany. They give new visa’s after the 1st of December: first comes, first goes. And… I got a really nice Christmas gift: my visa was approved!!!
Of course I was totally excited but after a while I was scared: Am I sure I want to do this? Can I do this? What should I arrange? Where to start?

First I booked my ticket. I went to a travel agency because most of the time they can book a ticket with more possibilities (even a year ticket) so you can change it without costs (or with little costs).
I took another insurance that would cover almost anything for my flight and my stay in Canada. I stopped most of the insurances in my home country.

Of course it is hard to leave all your friends and family behind but when I went through customs at the airport I was ok: Ready for a new adventure and new friends.

As soon as I landed in Canada I had another feeling: I was home. Friendly people, beautiful nature and a country with a lot of possibilities.
In this past year I saw a lot, met a lot of people, made new friends and learned a lot about myself. When I did not feel ok or when I missed my friends and family, I always had great people around me who would cheer me up. Sometimes it was hard to live and work with Canadians. A total different culture. They really like their privacy and it is hard to really get to know them. But as soon as they let you in to their lives: they will never let you go!

In the Netherlands there is always a kind of pressure: when you are working everything has to be done today, but preferably yesterday. In Canada there is more an easy-going culture. Totally opposite and I really had to get used to that. Socially you are really busy, visiting everybody and you cannot say you did not do anything on an evening. You have to do something, even if you do not feel like it. People would be personally offended if you would say that you would not come to their birthday party because you do not feel like it or cannot make it.
Such a difference.

All I can say is that when ever you think you want to do this too: go for it! It will be an experience you will never forget and will change your life only positively.