Repatriate Me!

In the last couple of weeks talking to various friends, colleagues and other people I know I’ve been getting a lot of unsolicited comments along the lines of “You’re going to do well when you move” or “I know you’re going to land on your feet” or “I know you’re going to succeed in Canada”. These comments are great in that my friends have confidence in me and are encouraging me.

However I’m wondering if I’m emitting some sort of nervousness/panic aura. I don’t think I am. I also don’t think these sort of things are coming out in conversation unknowingly. I’m confident that I’m not going to end up living on the street, but am not so confident about maintaining our currently lifestyle and comfort level. In any case the encouragement from friends is good and welcome, but at the same time is putting a little pressure on me. Will I live up to these expectations?

Definitely I’m worried about a number of things – the biggest one is hemorrhaging money for the first few months while both my wife and I have no jobs. I’m 40 years old with essentially no job history in Canada. I’m switching fields as I don’t see ESL teaching as a viable career in Canada. It’s definitely good here in Korea, but by all accounts not worth doing in Canada.

Yes I do have a business which I’m bringing with me to Canada, but I struggle to bring in regular income. I’m actually planning on rebranding the business and have plans to take some classes to improve both my skills and business knowledge. First up is php, a web programming language, followed by a primer course in small business management. Shortly after landing in Toronto, I’ve arranged to meet a number of other web developers and hope that I can make some new friends as well as network and learn more about business. Living here in Korea I feel like Tom Hanks in Cast Away and my only web developer friend is a volleyball named Wilson.

Other concerns I have are more short term and will resolve themselves in a matter of days/weeks after landing. Even so they are big concerns. I need to get a credit card ASAP (will need to cancel my Korean card before I leave) so I don’t have to carry around large amounts of cash or pay the banks outrageous ATM fees. How possible is that with a temporary address? Changing my drivers license and buying a car – same thing with the address in order to get car insurance. Day one, getting to whatever short term accommodation I set up and then finding things immediately like a bank, and a car. Can I rent a car without a credit card? Will need to get a phone – will probably get a disposable one, but again can I do this without a credit card or an address?

What I really need is someone in Toronto who I could use their home as a mailing address until I get my own. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone well enough to ask. I had someone lined up in Ottawa, but Toronto is not Ottawa.

In other news, next week on Wednesday I start my final semester of teaching here in Korea. Mixed feelings about that.