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A Storm of Forms3-month ‘internship’ in Canada
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How can you prepare for this?
With “prepare”, I mean: bureaucracy!
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Netherlands Canada
Supervisor Supervisor
International Office International Office
Embassy Local embassy/consulate
The main characters
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How I prepared
• I started asking for information in 9 months ahead
• Got into contact with supervisor from Canada
• Started gathering information/forms from International offices
• … & online.
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How I prepared
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I’ll let you know …
When are you here?
Study?
Study!
Fix your papers!
Fix your papers, eh?
… in 28 daysif …
then …end;
Fun? Business?
Oh… Internship?= work!
What happened?
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What happened?
• Refused entry to Canada
• Contacted …• … local Dutch consulate• … immigration lawyers• … insurance companies• ... International offices• … similar cases• … flight agencies• … local airport personnel
• Flight back home
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So… how did I get in?
• Apparently, there are international exchange programmes with several countries around the world
• International Experience Canada (IEC):• Working Holiday (for working while travelling)• Young Professionals (already having a job offer)• International Co-op Internship (for short-term
internships)
• Restrictions:• Enrolment goes per calendar year (waiting lists open in Fall)• Valid for one year• You can only participate twice (in different categories)
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My advice to you
• Prepare long ahead!
• Perform research in visa requirements• Inquire at the embassy right away• Possibility to involve third-party consultants (cost money!)• Look for exchange programmes (might be per calendar
year, with waiting lists)
• Look into travel insurances• I got all my money back (based on ‘visa refusal’)• Cancellation insurance for the re-scheduled flights• Travelling insurance for expenses at location
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My advice to you
• But most of all:
Do not blindly trust your supervisors
The immigration officer has the final say!
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In the end it’s all worth it