From Australia To Canada
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The bags aren't packed yet, the tickets haven't been booked either, and here I am about to leave my job in Australia to find new ground in Canada. So what do I know of Canada? Well I know it's cold. (Great. That's a start). What I need to know from you is, have you worked in Canada yourself? If so, what is it like to work for the development companies in Canada? Is there a particular corporate culture I need to be aware of?
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The bags aren't packed yet, the tickets haven't been booked either, and here I am about to leave my job in Australia to find new ground in Canada. So what do I know of Canada? Well I know it's cold. (Great. That's a start). What I need to know from you is, have you worked in Canada yourself? If so, what is it like to work for the development companies in Canada? Is there a particular corporate culture I need to be aware of?
Where are you moving to (and from where?) My quick observations: 1. It's an interesting experience being an immigrant. You are definitely second class so things like getting a Visa card, a car loan and an apartment can be a hassle. Use the accent wisely - it will get you far. 2. It's cold. No - I mean really, really, Oh My God I Can't Believe People Live Here cold. 3. The coffee is terrible. Find a Tim Hortons and ask for a "medium regular". The richness and sugariness will start to grow on you and make up for the lack of flat whites. If you go to Toronto I know two places that make real coffee. 3a. Tim Hortons Boston Cream doughnuts are to die for. And you probably will if you have too many. But you'll die happy. 4. In companies here they work long hours and you start with 2 weeks vacation. From what I've seen this is actually detrimental to productivity because everyone's stressed out and unmotivated. At the risk of really pissing a few people off, from what I've seen and heard from friends there is a lot of "it's not my problem" and "it's not my fault" in some companies. There's a tentativeness that means you don't see many people diving in and taking responsibility. They are a cautious people who don't want to upset the status quo or cause a problem. 5. They do say oot and aboot. They will deny it. They will possibly even hunt me down and beat me up with hockey sticks but one of the greatest forms of entertainment is sitting around with Canadian friends after a few drinks listening to them get worked up about how the Americans think they say "oot and aboot". "We say oot, not oot. Are they deaf? 'Oot'. See? Nothing like 'oot'" and so on. It's great. 6. Things are cheaper than here. 6a. Things depreciated faster than here. It's a double edge sword. 7. They are a confused people. They hold on to British customs and the language with deep but haphazard passion. Think about "Tire centre" and you'll understand why. 8. They still have 1 cent peices. But not 2c peices. It's annoying 9. If you see something for 19.99 and put down a twenty you'll need another $2.80 for tax. You will scream after doing this 5 times. Add $5.60 if it's actually a sit down meal or taxi ride. Things look cheaper over there but factor in the taxes and tips and exchange rate and you'll be surprised. 10. Do not touch Molson, Labatt or any beer with a moose on it. Find a microbrew. 11. Learn some French so you can giggle like a loon when you find out what egg-nog is called. 12. Most importantly: unemplo
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Where are you moving to (and from where?) My quick observations: 1. It's an interesting experience being an immigrant. You are definitely second class so things like getting a Visa card, a car loan and an apartment can be a hassle. Use the accent wisely - it will get you far. 2. It's cold. No - I mean really, really, Oh My God I Can't Believe People Live Here cold. 3. The coffee is terrible. Find a Tim Hortons and ask for a "medium regular". The richness and sugariness will start to grow on you and make up for the lack of flat whites. If you go to Toronto I know two places that make real coffee. 3a. Tim Hortons Boston Cream doughnuts are to die for. And you probably will if you have too many. But you'll die happy. 4. In companies here they work long hours and you start with 2 weeks vacation. From what I've seen this is actually detrimental to productivity because everyone's stressed out and unmotivated. At the risk of really pissing a few people off, from what I've seen and heard from friends there is a lot of "it's not my problem" and "it's not my fault" in some companies. There's a tentativeness that means you don't see many people diving in and taking responsibility. They are a cautious people who don't want to upset the status quo or cause a problem. 5. They do say oot and aboot. They will deny it. They will possibly even hunt me down and beat me up with hockey sticks but one of the greatest forms of entertainment is sitting around with Canadian friends after a few drinks listening to them get worked up about how the Americans think they say "oot and aboot". "We say oot, not oot. Are they deaf? 'Oot'. See? Nothing like 'oot'" and so on. It's great. 6. Things are cheaper than here. 6a. Things depreciated faster than here. It's a double edge sword. 7. They are a confused people. They hold on to British customs and the language with deep but haphazard passion. Think about "Tire centre" and you'll understand why. 8. They still have 1 cent peices. But not 2c peices. It's annoying 9. If you see something for 19.99 and put down a twenty you'll need another $2.80 for tax. You will scream after doing this 5 times. Add $5.60 if it's actually a sit down meal or taxi ride. Things look cheaper over there but factor in the taxes and tips and exchange rate and you'll be surprised. 10. Do not touch Molson, Labatt or any beer with a moose on it. Find a microbrew. 11. Learn some French so you can giggle like a loon when you find out what egg-nog is called. 12. Most importantly: unemplo
Chris Maunder wrote:
If you're in Toronto send me an email if you're after a job
So what is your vacation policy like? :-D
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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Chris Maunder wrote:
If you're in Toronto send me an email if you're after a job
So what is your vacation policy like? :-D
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
We have, in the past, supported our staff's request to take off a day here and there. :P
cheers, Chris Maunder
CodeProject.com : C++ MVP
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We have, in the past, supported our staff's request to take off a day here and there. :P
cheers, Chris Maunder
CodeProject.com : C++ MVP
That's good. Where do I apply and what's the salary?
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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The bags aren't packed yet, the tickets haven't been booked either, and here I am about to leave my job in Australia to find new ground in Canada. So what do I know of Canada? Well I know it's cold. (Great. That's a start). What I need to know from you is, have you worked in Canada yourself? If so, what is it like to work for the development companies in Canada? Is there a particular corporate culture I need to be aware of?
Let us know how you get on. I'm an Aussie in Singapore and plan to go to Canada or the UK next year so I'll be interested to hear you get on.
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That's good. Where do I apply and what's the salary?
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
The other benefit: Currently for two months, there is a icon change for your profile from 'User' to 'MVP'. I think this should also get one more promotion to 'Admin'. ;P
Vasudevan Deepak Kumar Personal Homepage
Tech Gossips
A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them. --Leonard Louis Levinson -
Let us know how you get on. I'm an Aussie in Singapore and plan to go to Canada or the UK next year so I'll be interested to hear you get on.
It took a while, but I finally landed a permanent software development job.
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It took a while, but I finally landed a permanent software development job.
And I'm still here! I also have a newfound respect for the definition of "cold". Gavin Kendall / Psyphen Codewalker http://gir.slampt.net/~gavin/