When it comes to choosing where you want to work abroad, the competition can be fierce. Visa availability, wages and culture all influence the final destination. And while New Zealand and Australia are two of the most popular places for American workers, there’s another country that deserves your immediate consideration.
A country so spectacular, it’s the birthplace of both Superman and Ryan Gosling. Professional hockey, a steady economy, saying “eh” and the chance to see polar bears are just a handful of other reasons people give for living and working in Canada. Want a few more?
Here they are:
1. The national identity. Poutine, Caesars, Tim Hortons: all those stereotypes represent a county overflowing with national pride. So much so, in fact, that it typically tops the list of “Most Patriotic Countries in The World.” So if you’re willing to spend a few months working under the Maple Leaf, look forward to all those quintessential Canook things found nowhere else. (Mounties, Maple syrup, poutine . . . )
2. The job opportunities. Whether you’re craving a ski season in the Rockies, a hospitality gig in cosmopolitan Toronto, or a rugged wilderness experience in the Yukon, entry-level jobs are nearly as plentiful here as snowflakes. While the oil fields continue to boom, travelers can earn exceptionally good money working in northern Alberta. However, a high minimum wage (which changes depending on province) means even a part-time waitress will earn enough to bank tips and live off the weekly paycheck. A demand for skilled workers also allows you to earn more for any relevant certifications and previous employment you may have.
3. The visa process. For a start, working holiday makers can apply until they’re 35 years old – unlike in other countries, which cut off working holiday visas at 30 or 31. Applicants from certain countries may also be eligible for young professional and co-op internship visas: apply for all three online with International Experience Canada. Workers have multiple options to extend a stay or convert to a long-term visa. Finally, for those who fall in love with the place and wish to remain forever, residency is given on a points-based system; this means that you can accrue points as you live and work abroad in Canada.
4. The locals. An old joke goes, “When you crash your car into a Canadian, he’s the one who apologies.” The punch line may be lacking, but there’s nothing wrong with a population renowned for this over-the-top politeness. It’s one of the qualities that landed three cities – Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary – among the top 10 of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s “Most Livable Cities of 2015.” In other words, move here and everyone should make you feel welcome.
5. The space. Canada is the third largest country in the world, offering unimaginable miles of land for the keen explorer. Craggy coastlines and golden prairie, arctic tundra and some of the world’s tallest mountains; the diverse landscape supports all sorts of adventures. Driving and riding the rails cross-country are two popular options, but there are literally a million places and ways to visit!
6. The weather. There’s something to be said for a working destination that has four very different seasons. And like all things, Canada doesn’t do hers in halves. Winter is cold, with snow piling up to the rooftops; summer is hot and long, perfect for late night barbecues and coastal road trips. The massive weather system allows foreigners a chance to experience Mother Nature’s extremes and the activities that go with them. Skiing, kayaking, hiking, camping, surfing – if you can name it, you can do it.
7. The welfare system. This North American country gives back to its people, and it’s not ashamed to claim some of the highest standards in public health care, education and safety in the developed world. While you work abroad in Canada, doctor’s appointments or trips to the emergency room are technically free. Should you choose to study, or bring your family when you move, you can all look forward to free schooling, too.
8. The adult beverages. Savor a double-hopped Dunkle at a local microbrewery or stick to the tried and trusted Molson; whatever your beer of choice, Canada makes it. And chills it. And serves it in a mug so frosty, your fingers stick to the handle. Besides claiming the creation of the ice beer and the cream ale, this northern country boasts a booming craft brew industry. And with 99 percent of bottles returned for recycling, you can always drink with a happy conscience.
9. The easy set-up. Apply for an Individual Tax Number and begin earning legal wages within a few weeks. Find an apartment to rent online or in the papers; most landlords won’t ask for more than some identification and evidence of a tax file number or income, before you move in. With your passport handy, open a bank account, sign up for cable television and WiFi, open a post office box – all the things you may need on a daily basis abroad. Expect streamlined systems and helpful representatives who will make the transition from ‘immigrant’ to ‘worker’ as smooth as possible.
Ready to work and volunteer your way around the world? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and RSS/email. Until the next adventure! ~ Kelli