Manu's Medley

Are you moving abroad? Whether you are planning to move to another country as a student or on an official deputation or as a permanent resident to a country like Canada, I am sure you have innumerable questions - amongst which " What to pack? " tops the list! Should I carry my certificates, daily essentials, food items, clothes and the list is endless. And this is one of the most frequently asked questions in social media groups and (or) amongst friends/ relatives/ colleagues who have travelled before.  While some genuinely respond, I have seen many mocking the asker, quoting it is too stupid to carry lentils, tooth brush or any basic essentials that will be available at the destination or just brushing it off as a dumb question. There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers. In this article, I shall try to answer your question "What to pack while moving abroad?" as much as I can. If you find this article useful, please don't hoard it to yours...

It is a known fact that anyone who aspires to come to Canada on a student visa or as a Permanent Resident has to give an English Test to prove their proficiency. If you are contemplating between IELTS and CELPIP or want to know which test suits you better or looking for some guidance on how to prepare for CELPIP, then read on. This blog is specially curated for you!! ** Long post alert - consider this article as an essay from IELTS / CELPIP reading. Voila, you already started your preparation👍 IELTS is an English Language Test that is accepted by wider English speaking countries like the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland and hence its reputation amongst the aspiring immigrants. Unlike IELTS, CELPIP is Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), specifically designed to evaluate test takers ability to function in English for Canada's permanent residency, citizenship and professional designation. In the recent times, especially during the pandemic, man...

Congratulations!!! Finally, you have received your COPR or work visa or student visa, packed your bags, said good byes to family and friends and boarded the flight to your dream country - Canada. There are few essential activities to do immediately after reaching Canada, which  puts you in a better position and gives you the much needed peace. I am listing 10 such activities to accomplish, preferably within the first few weeks. 1. Finding an accommodation: Accommodation is the first thing you would need to head straight from the airport. So better to get it sorted before leaving for Canada.  If you have relatives or friends at Canada, then it would be the best option to stay with them for a week or two, find an accommodation and move out. Alternatively you can consider staying at Airbnbs until you hunt a house. Airbnbs are budget-friendly compared to hotels.  Check out websites like kijiji , craigl ist , facebook,  indianeverywhere   etc. You will get lot of o...

A library is a powerhouse of knowledge and plays a very important role in shaping an entire society.  There is a famous quote by H.W. Beecher - "A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life".  True to that, Canada houses more than 600 public libraries. Out of these, more than 250 are in Ontario. Moreover, Ontario houses one of the largest public library systems in Canada - The Toronto Public Library. It has 100 branches and is acclaimed as the largest neighbourhood-based library system in the world.  The first free public libraries in Ontario were set up in the year 1883 in Toronto and Guelph. Ontario's public libraries are governed by Ontario's Public Library Act (PLA). Its objective is to provide equal and universal access to information and establish free public library services in Ontario through governance and regulations. Almost every city in Ontario has a public library system. These library services aren't just limited to providing free ac...

Winters in Canada will be very cold and snowy, with a varying degree of intensity across the country, ranging from -5° C to - 50° C. In one of my previous posts, I explained how brutal winters can be at Canada. If you missed to read it, you can check out the post  here .                                               Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue creating helpful content. Thanks for your support! You may find below few means to tackle the harsh climate at Canada. If you are new to Canada or planning to relocate to Canada or a similar place with terrible winter season, hope you might find this article useful. Dress up in layers: First and foremost is to dress up in warm and cozy attire, even w...