quote:

Originally posted by crazedcanuck Well, you'd have to call your financial aid office, but I wouldn't identify yourself incase you don't like their answers... but financial aid is essentially a loan, so as long as you keep up your payments, I don't see a problem if the online course is located where you curently reside. There might be a problem if the $$$ is financing your Canada venture/education. Best of luck, come for the edible bacon panties, stay for the maple-syrup slip-n-slide park.

Yes. Stafford _is_ a form of financial aid that I have to pay back (it's a loan; the other two aids that I have are not loans but free government grants (I believe)). That sounds like a wise thing to do there (regarding calling them anonymously and just asking the question). Thanks...

BTW, what kind of weather am I looking at for average temperatures (C) of each season? I was thinking about coming there in the spring, which is when I've always believed was a good time to begin life changes.

The person before mentioned that you need an immigration lawyer to process your application. I believe that information is wrong. You can hand in the papers yourself and even calculate on the government's immigration website to see if you qualify. Immigration lawyers are useless unless you have highly unusual circumstances. They know it too. But that doesnt mean they wont try to make you beleive that you need them.

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Originally posted by Jayx1 The person before mentioned that you need an immigration lawyer to process your application. I believe that information is wrong. You can hand in the papers yourself and even calculate on the government's immigration website to see if you qualify. Immigration lawyers are useless unless you have highly unusual circumstances. They know it too. But that doesnt mean they wont try to make you beleive that you need them.

sure that's true u can do all that by yourself. but, knowing this first hand and through personal experience, not only becoming a landed immigrant myself but also being a refugee/ immigration lawyer, i would advise you to at least get a consultation of some sort just because most of time 'the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing' in this unstable system!

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life's too short~simply do!

|| this is going to be a little long, but it was a good life lesson I learned so I figure I should go through the processes for those who have forgotten or just curious about how the gears in my brain turn ||

Here is my theory on how I approach the more important issues in life, and thus achieve (relative) excellence in execution:

Preamble on what is an expert.
(An expert is someone that through experience, knowledge growth, knowledge sharing and a complete and thorough understanding of his expertise. An expert is able to offer advice, methods, techniques to increase the likelihood of success in any venture (related to the expertise). An expert has mastered a “plan”, “process” or “idea” that produces consistent results (success) in the area of expertise.)

So, based on how I define experts, I came up with a few affirmations:

Affirmation that everybody is an expert it something.
(I know I am an expert at some things and I realize that I cannot be an expert in everything. I can be an expert at many things – but never everything)

An affirmation of my own abilities.
(I recognize quickly and deliberately the things that I am and expert in and not an expert in. I also continually review current expertise and stay aware of new possibilities/avenues of expertise)

An affirmation to personal growth.
(Of those things of which I am an expert, it is ensured that I remain at a high skill level by continuing to grow and expand my ream of knowledge and influence within my expertise – and also improve my knowledge through knowledge sharing in areas where I am not an expert)

An affirmation of surrounding myself with other experts.
(Being around people who are experts in areas I’m not will help me to learn and key in on the important concepts of their expertise [increase my knowledge] but also allow me to ask for assistance in dealing with issues outside my area of expertise).

Basic concept: team-up and surround yourself with people who excel in areas you don’t. It is an amazingly powerful way to be successful and satisfied with every aspect of life.

|| hope you enjoyed my little sermon for the day! ok, so now that I’ve got sore fingers from typing all that up onto my point ||

I've had to learn this lesson the hard way on a few big things that will hant me a long time. I thought I could do everything with perfection in execution. Well I can make perfection - but just not in everything...

I’ve personally used lawyers and accountants many times – and the outcome has been tremendously valuable (and most of the times it was just squak sessions, how to, what if, why so, etc).

MY ADVICE: Go see the lawyer to get the visa, landed immigrant details or citizenship details. They’re experts in immigration law and will make the process much easier. Even if it’s just for a few consultations (you do all the work, but bounce ideas back and forth) it will be well worth your time. Just ask for costs up front (a lawyer won’t be surprised by this, as they get asked it many, many times daily).


Best of luck mate! Let us know how it goes. And talk to Silke – she’s amazing.

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- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).

Last edited by rabbitjoker on Jul-13-2004 at 07:51

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Originally posted by ali92 BTW, what kind of weather am I looking at for average temperatures (C) of each season? I was thinking about coming there in the spring, which is when I've always believed was a good time to begin life changes.

Cold winter (bundle up) / warm summer (shorts & skirts).

___________________
- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).

I don't know what you find in these crappy Cities. Toronto and Montreal are just spacious fields of lights and obnoxious TAs. Now Hamilton, that's the real deal. The city of education, personal growth, and some minor smogness in the air. Its a beautifull city here with beautiful people. In fact, I am beautiful. And you will be too if you came to Hamilton. There are numerous visual spectacles that you can never find anywhere else in Canada. FOr example. on certain nights, the city gives off a beautiful green and yellow glow in the sky. The amazing thing, its not the Street ligths that are making it. Some call it a wonder of Science, but some call it a miracle. Its also a very green city. And the downtown to be competed with. A wholesome balance of "fair and balance" city life. Here you do not have to worry about any health concerns due to the leading health experts coming out of the world wide renound McMaster University. You can be sure that your newly developed Asmtha will be in check in no time, mine is! As you can tell, its a very close and happy comunity. Now that Ms.Shilla cops is gone, we have a fair and balanced politicians who are true leaders, the Liberals. As a close community that we are, I am welcoming you ahead of time to this wonderful peaceful and relaxing life of Hamilton, Ontario!

- DiS , Currently residing in Hamilton, ON!

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DiS

Last edited by DiS on Jul-13-2004 at 21:27

I just experienced this last year. I helped a friend get into the country. She did not need the expensive lawyers at all. Everything you need to know is on the internet and there are even support groups where you can ask advice from people who have experienced the system first hand. All free. Immigration lawyers basically tell you how to answer questions in the interview and fill out your papers for you. Thats it. All this can be obtained on the internet for free and the information is valid. I know because i did it myself with her and shes now in Canada.

Two more questions:

1. If I decided to study in a Canadian university (as in, transferring from my current US college to a Canadian university), how does the process work? What kind of requirements are there? Is financial aid available? What about services or accomodations (having a seat closest to the black/white board, permission to record lectures, etc.) for the visually impaired?

2. How's the employment market (particularly the entry-level sector) in Canada?

I greatly appreciate all that you say here and am actually looking forwards to seeing some of you someday... :-)

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Originally posted by ali92 What kind of requirements are there? Is financial aid available? What about services or accomodations (having a seat closest to the black/white board, permission to record lectures, etc.) for the visually impaired?

Can't answer the rest, but to the question above it really depends as to which University you attend. Most of the times it is as to how early you will get to your lectures. Most of my classes are packed with people and the first 6 rows are made of the ....I won't say it..."the wall" of high atchievers. Most universitys have services that provide you with class notes. They always employ students to take notes in class and then submit the copies to the disability department. That's my effort, I hope it helps.

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DiS

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Originally posted by DiS Can't answer the rest, but to the question above it really depends as to which University you attend. Most of the times it is as to how early you will get to your lectures. Most of my classes are packed with people and the first 6 rows are made of the ....I won't say it..."the wall" of high atchievers. Most universitys have services that provide you with class notes. They always employ students to take notes in class and then submit the copies to the disability department. That's my effort, I hope it helps.

Yes, it has helped. Thanks. Plus, my friend told me similar about the notes yesterday. He told me that sometimes, they put them online at his university (Drexel) or in other times, they're in the disabled dept.