it has been almost two years since i posted due to other life commitments. I simply never had the time to pick up the pen to write again but in this Covid-19 crisis it is important to make sure that those international students are well informed.
If you look across the internet, there is a lot of information regarding covid-19, some related to you and some not related your specific situation.
My goal is that you have the necessary information to be able to manage this crisis as a foreign student in Canada.
Please take the following steps where-ever it applies to you.
1 - Make sure you are constantly in contact with family back home - they can reach you and you can reach them. Don't forget the lock down affects most people world wide, so there is a chance your family is also in some restricted movement or under a complete lock down back home. Use apps like WhatsApp and WeChat to stay connected with family members.
2 - Make sure you have access to immediate funds - looking at the trends of rampant layoffs and unemployment, the opportunity to work and raise funds right now is quite limited. I would suggest getting family back home to send you some support if possible. Liquid is important moment. I would even sell a car I don't need to make sure I have funds available with me.
3 - Do a projection of your living expenses - food, rent, transportation, etc. Do you have enough money to last you for the duration of this crisis- say if it extends past 3 months? Be honest with yourself and also cut down on unnecessary spending, e.g. snacks(cookies/chocolate) vs. actual food(rice/beans)
Also a good time to renegotiate those exorbitant phone data plans - if you already have internet at home and you are mostly on lock down you might not need a 5 Gigabyte internet data on your phone.
If you know how to cook you will save yourself a tonne of money on delivery food services at this moment. If you don't know how to cook, look into simple recipes on youtube. Learn how to make simple meals like "sand-wich". Once you find the patience to stand and cook for 5 mins you be surprised how much you can save.
Talk your landlord about deferred rent payments if possible - some landlords are willing to work out something with you.
Do you have a room mate? sit down and ask what you two can do to save money at this moment
Do you have any special skills you can offer online - fitness instructor? are you great any course - Science, Technology, etc. Use social media to advertise your services. e.g say you are physics student - they could be some high school kids looking for some brush up on high school physics. You can do this.
4 - Keep yourself occupied - perhaps it is time to re-think your program of choice or make other career changes during the lock down. Are your courses offered online? You can look for courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Skillcrush, etc. try your hands on other fields of study you always thought about but never had the opportunity to enroll.
One of your goals during this lock down should be learning a new skill or learning something completely different from what you do.
Don't forget to exercise - since most campus gyms are closed, look into youtube platform for simple indoor exercises you can do to keep yourself fit during the lock down.
5 - Stay connected with Immigration Canada through website -IRCC. You want first hand knowledge concerning all temporary visas especially student visas and post graduate work permit. Please do not buy into any fake news from community forums - get your visa news straight from the source.
Some people have speculated that post graduate work permit will be cancelled if students take courses online. Please see the quote below taken directly from IRCC website:
"If your in-class courses are being moved to an online-only format because of COVID-19, your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program won’t be affected."
6 - Pay a good attention to your mental health - you are far from home, away from family and the current situation can easily lead to a decline in mental health. There are psychologists available online if you feel the need to use their services. Please take care of yourself.
7 - See what other international students are doing in Canada - current petition and student forum
8 - To see what Canada is currently doing to help international students in this of crisis please follow this link.
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