Abdel in Fredericton: "Canadians live their lives fully"

Where are you from, Abdel, and what are you doing nowadays?

I'm a young man in mid-40s (yes I still feel young at this age), originally from Morocco, sociable. I enjoy dealing with diverse people from different cultures and backgrounds. I spent my childhood in France, in a suburb of Paris before I went back to live in Morocco. Nowadays, I'm living in Fredericton, in the province of New-Brunswick.
After some experiences in the commercial field, I worked for few years in a bank in Morocco. In Canada, I started in some small jobs such as call center agent and cashier in a convenience store before I get my first steps in administrative jobs in a museum. I am now working in the Accounting Department of a ministry of Canada.

Why did you choose to move to Canada?

First, I was trying to re-immigrate to my childhood country: France. But I was not lucky enough to be accepted in universities due to lack of funds. Then, as I was improving my English, I started thinking about immigrating to the USA, mostly influenced by the number of patriots who had immigrated there. Unfortunately, after the tragic event of September 2001, things were harder. I decided, finally, to combine business with pleasure, that is to immigrate in North-America and use my French language knowledge, particularly because of the province of Quebec where French is the official language. My choice was made. Canada is the right place!
I also liked the idea of being ranked always as one of the 10 first countries in the human development. Then, this feeling that by living in Canada you are almost everywhere: all immigrants came from different countries which create this magnificent mosaic, and great experience exchange despite all differences. Moreover, I am fascinated by the beauty of this country's nature. That is precisely what encouraged to do a great travel adventure in 2012 that took me from Ottawa (Ontario) to the West coast Victoria (British-Columbia), crossing many provinces and cities. I'm thinking to do the same in the next future, but this time to the East coast and visit the Maritime Provinces.

What were the procedures to follow to for a Moroccan national to move there?

There are many. Mine was the immigration process for skilled workers. After filling a preliminary form, I was invited to fill the official forms with proof of education and profession. Then, I had an interview with an agent of immigration of the government of Canada in Rabat, the Moroccan capital city, following by a medical visit. It took 3 years in total to receive my permanent residency visa.

How long have you been in the country?

This year is my 12th year over here. I first landed in Montreal (Quebec) where I had some Moroccan friends (the largest Moroccan community in Canada lives there). After 3 and a half years, and as I was actively looking forward to improve my English while keeping my French as an asset, I moved to Ottawa (Ontario). During 7 years, I improved my professional experiences and my bilingualism level. I obtained a diploma from the National School of Public Administration, and I married a nice woman. Earlier this year, the Federal government offered me an opportunity that I couldn't refuse. So I moved to New-Brunswick, where I am living right now.

Was it difficult to find accommodation? What are the types of accommodation which are available there?

I was looking forward to rent apartments and these are widely available in Canada, especially in big cities like Montreal. You can find all kinds of accommodation in Canada. I can even say that Canadians like to change their places from time to time, even those who had their own home. They don't feel it's difficult to change and move to another city, sell their homes and buy another home again.

How do you find the Canadian lifestyle?

I can say Canadian live fully their lives. Most of them work hard, and enjoy their holidays, some even travel outside of Canada on a yearly basis. Some also are active in associations and volunteer organizations. They like to give their time to help others. These are things that I didn't see as much in other countries.

Have you been able to adapt yourself to the country and to its society?

I can definitely say yes. However, it wasn't easy. When you leave your family with whom you lived for over 30 years, your friends, your country's warmth, to a totally different place, with different cultures, languages, lifestyles, not to mention a different weather (Canada is colder than my home country), and especially in a place where your academic backgrounds are not recognized, it's not easy to find your way. But when you have an adventurous spirit, and an iron willing to succeed, you would make your place.
I kept observing more than watching, listening more than hearing and discussing more than criticizing my new home country. I went back to study, mostly to put a "Canadian stamp" in my academic profile, I built up my network, and kept myself informed about what happen in all over Canada. This is what helped me to adapt to my new home country.

What does your every day life look like in Fredericton?

As I'm new to the city and in my new work, I spend most of the time at work. From time to time, I try to discover the city. However, as a member of my workplace's social committee, I am trying to organize some activities such as snowshoeing.

What has surprised you the most at your arrival?

What surprised me the most (in positive way) is this "straight to the point" attitude that I found in Canadians. A friend of mine explained it as a pragmatic behavior: people will not waste your time, they go straight to the points that you are asking about, and it saves your time. Time is money!

Any particular experience you would like to share with us?

Well, I heard a lot about "cultural shock," and being well prepared (even before I landed in Canada) I over passed it. But what shocked me was discovering that the resumes I had sent to employers were ignored. I thought, at the beginning, that not receiving a single answer (even a confirmation of reception) is something normal because I'm new to the country, with no history, unknown to employers, and without any Canadian experience, nor diplomas. But I was shocked when I found out, through an agent of Human Resource and Development Canada (HRDSC), that the reason for not being successful in finding a job is mostly due to a vague fear of employers of foreign names especially, Arabic names (remember as I said, I arrived just few months after September 2001).
Most employers are confused about whether to consider a new immigrant, but prefer the known to the unknown. So they put a resume of a native first, and let the immigrant's resume as a final option. However, that didn't stop me. I preferred to light up a candle rather than to curse the darkness. A good networking plus collegial studies opened for me those impenetrable doors.

What is your opinion on the cost of living in your city? Is it easy for an expat to live in the country?

Life in Fredericton is affordable. The cost of living is in the average of Canadian cities. The price of housing is low compared to other major cities, but life could be better if the employment rate could be lower. New-Brunswick is among the poorest Canadian provinces. In 2012, the province was ranked among the last 3 provinces in terms of GDP and its economy depends mostly about the ups and down of the American market. So the labor market is "ramping". But Fredericton has two elements that help the province in keeping a good shape: universities (the University of New-Brunswick and Saint-Thomas University). As it's the province's capital city, it also hosts provincial institutions. Education and Government Administration are two factors that help the local economy.
It's not easy for an expat to live in the country unless one is well prepared and has a clear objective. When expats structure their researches and use the multitude tools that are available (associations, organizations and institutions for new immigrants), they will do better and, thus, expatriate here successfully.

How do you spend your leisure time there?

By grabbing my camera and discovering the city by taking pictures. I like photography.

What are the differences between life in Canada and in Morocco?

These two countries are not comparable. Both have their own particularities, their own charm, and their own situations. Despite the differences between the two countries, Morocco is my home country and Canada is my adoptive one.

Do you miss your home country?

Yes of course. I haven't spent a single day without thinking about it. But because of personal issues, I went back to visit it only once since I settled in Canada. I mostly miss those family gatherings around a Mint Moroccan-tea. My favorite!

Would like to give any advice to future expatriates?

Absolutely! Consider yourself at your home, you are not invited by anyone, and you are not in anyone's home. You are in your own home. So adopt the "home-feeling". Improve your English, and try to improve your French as well. Creating a network is a must. It could start by anyone and everyone. From time to time, update it. Do volunteering and attend social and cultural activities. It would help you during networking and perhaps even better, while looking for your first job.
A come-back to studies could also be useful by putting a Canadian touch to your profile. But you have to make sure to choose judiciously the appropriate field with a better job perspective.
As you have emigrated from your home land, crossed oceans and thousands of kilometers, you will surely be able to do some more kilometers to change your place for better life. So it could be helpful to move from one city or province to another in case things don't work as expected. Good luck!

What are your plans for the future?

Improve my career, buying a house and of course, helping new and future immigrants who are willing to immigrate to Canada as I have been doing the past 12 years.