The Quebec experience of a French woman - With Anna Secrieru

🙋🏼♀️ Hello dear visitor or future expatriate,

I'm Anna, a French student in Master 1 (or first year of Master's degree) at the double degree in International Strategic Communication from the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec and the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.

It is thanks to this great study opportunity that I managed to go to Canada in January 2021, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, to the other side of the world to do a study session in Sherbrooke and an internship in Montreal.

I am thrilled to be able to speak about my months of expatriation across the Atlantic!

🎙Whatmade you decide to study in Canada?

I am outgoing by nature and I love to discover new things. After living in France for most of my life, I decided to move to Belgium where I seized the opportunity to participate in a university exchange with a Quebec university.

I thought it was great to go away for a year, live the American way and discover another culture. In France, we all have stereotypes about Canada and it is not uncommon to know someone or a friend of someone who has already gone there, so I was attracted to the experience.

I thrive on meeting new people and consider that every experience, positive or negative, is enriching. I found it very interesting to do an internship in a foreign country. Doing it in Montreal was a kind of dream that I didn't even think I would be able to realize one day.

I was hesitant to apply for my training and then I said to myself "Why not me? At worst, if I don't get accepted, I'll try. In the end, it worked!

🎙Was itcomplicated to leave during the pandemic?

Finally not so much, because I was lucky.

With Covid-19, the Canadian borders were closed until December 2020. Before that month, I had to wait for my study permit. It was quite stressful to do all the paperwork and wait for this permit in uncertainty, but I am sure that with the right guidance, it can go pleasantly well.

Finally, I received my work permit almost at the same time as the borders reopened. So I left in January 2021 and everything went well, whether it was to take the plane (booking the tickets for example), for the sanitary measures for the travelers or to pass in front of the immigration agents at the airport.

🎙Iswinter in Canada as bad as they say?

This year, the winter was mild, according to the Quebecers and foreign expatriates I met. However, compared to a winter in France, I clearly felt the difference!

What is great and disorienting is the amount of snow that falls and how it transforms all the landscapes. We realize it when spring/summer comes and the snow melts.

Fortunately, Quebecers are much more accustomed and organized when it comes to snow. Everything is built accordingly.

And for the clothes, how did you organize yourself?

In terms of clothing, it is not necessary to layer 15 sweaters and 10 pairs of socks. You can get by with a thermal under-sweater, a warm sweater and a good warm jacket! On top of that, a good hat, a pair of gloves, warm socks and something warm for your neck (like a thermal collar) and it's done.

Before leaving, I was hesitant to buy my warm clothes directly in Canada because I thought they would be more specialized for the weather conditions. Finally, I bought my winter clothes in France. Frankly, they were warm enough. On the other hand, ski clothes and big sweaters take up a lot of space in a suitcase... In Canada, it is sure that the clothes will be really designed for extreme temperatures, but they are also really more expensive. However, if you plan to stay in Canada for a long time, it is always a good investment.

🎙What didyou like most about your experience?

Fortunately, so far, I'm taking away far more positives than negatives from my experience.

The diversity of activities to do and places to discover

Having access to postcard-worthy places and being able to enjoy the beautiful places that Montreal has to offer, Quebec is really great! Moreover, there is a multitude of activities to do there.

Here are some examples of activities I tried in Montreal:

• Admire the sunset (or sunrise) from different viewpoints (St Joseph's Oratory, Belvedere of Mount Royal or Parc Jean Drapeau)
• Dancing to the sound of drums at the foot of Mount Royal on summer Sundays
• Stroll through the streets and alleys and discover small restaurants, bars and independent stores
• Go running on the Old Port
• Stroll through the covered markets of Atwater and Jean Talon
• Go to a chalet in Mont-Tremblant (approx. 2h drive)
• Participate in music, food and comedy festivals

And much more!

The framework of my internship

I am super happy to have the opportunity to work in the heart of Montreal, on the Old Port, in one of the first buildings of the city and with a dynamic team where everyone is really super friendly. I'm experiencing a Quebec work environment and so far it's been positive.

Montreal

Overall, living in Montreal is a great experience. The cities where I lived in France and Belgium did not offer this soothing yet dynamic environment. Here, right after work, it's a joy to be able to enjoy the parks and green spaces of the city while meeting my friends over cold drinks, food and good stories!

One of the things I particularly appreciated was the ease of finding a place to live, and more specifically, a roommate. This remains one of the advantages of the pandemic. While the city offers a lot of roommates outside of Covid; Covid 19 has increased this by even adding a small drop in rent prices to my delight, as I love living in community. In the long run, it might be different though.

Also, still related to the pandemic, I found it useful to be able to get vaccinated against Covid-19, even though I'm just passing through Quebec.

Some culinary delights!

Finally, how can we not mention the culinary pleasures that Quebec offers!

I discovered the joy of tasting a good poutine and mixing everything with maple syrup (which I don't necessarily recommend in everything by the way!). I love sour cream (a kind of fresh cream with a bit of sour in it) and I love it when soft ice cream (= Italian ice) and BeaverTails are covered with chocolate and " very dirty" little toppings . Otherwise, Canadian gin and Canadian micro beers always make a great impression on me.

(Little bonus: if you like Baileys-style cream spirits, you'll love the Coureur des bois, Saint-crème or even Sortilège!) 😉

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🎙What do you wish you had known before you left?

In summer, it's hot, but like really hot. For example, as I write this, it's early June and it's already 30°C some days. I didn't plan this at all before my departure. So I had to buy clothes accordingly on the spot. Also, the change of season was quite brutal.

In Montreal, we went almost directly from winter to summer. I advise you to bring clothes adapted to the season when you arrive in Canada and then buy the rest of your clothes on the spot. On the other hand, the change from snow to warm tar in the space of a month will surely surprise you.

Then, I still have small difficulties with the tax system and the habit of tips to give when I go to bars/restaurants or to the hairdresser. I manage to do it anyway, it's not very complicated, just a calculation habit to get used to.

In the end, it's not a big deal!

🎙Are you glad youleft?

Absolutely not! Of course, I am quite optimistic by nature, so I always tend to put things in perspective and tell myself that it is possible to draw some positive from any situation. Even in times of pandemic, I find that Quebec and especially Montreal have a lot to offer. I feel very comfortable in this city and this country, which are welcoming and where life is really good.

🎙Do you have any final words to conclude sharing your experience?

No, that's it for me! If you have made the choice to go, you will most likely enjoy your experience. I can only advise you to take the plunge!

If you have any questions and/or need more information about expatriation or Canada, you can reach her on LinkedIn(@annasecrieru).

Anna's testimonial is coming to an end, but if you want to hear more expatriate testimonials, we invite you to read Nicolas' testimonial, vision designer for a Canadian partner company as well as to follow our monthly webinars.

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