Born and raised in Johannesburg, I've lived in South Africa for 25 years. The wider world is beckoning and while my boyfriend, James and I are still young with few responsibilities, I think it's time to make a move. I am writing this online diary in the hopes to help others in a similar situation through the scary and stressful process of immigration.  For the sake of clarity, I might let some of my diary entries fall over a couple of weeks so that I don’t bore anyone who is reading. I want this to be interesting and look forward to coming back and reading my thoughts on it all if we actually make the move somewhere.

Reasons for Leaving

There are many reasons to leave South Africa; perhaps more than there are reasons to stay. As a recent graduate with a Masters degree in music, I think my chances of employment in my profession are far greater overseas in a country with a more established entertainment industry. James has a BSc in electrical engineering specializing in information engineering, so he'll find a job anywhere. However, we are just not sure where we'd like to go yet.

Politics

The political situation in South Africa seemed to improve after the 1994 elections when Mandela came to power. Since then, things haven't gone so well. Crime seems to be on the increase and with affirmative action, James and I really don't stand much chance of employment here. It's unfortunate, but in order to have the careers we want, we'll have to immigrate. Since we both have degrees from internationally recognized universities, perhaps it won't be too hard finding jobs abroad.

Safety and Security

Ask anyone about South Africa and the first thing they say is 'crime.' We live in a violent country and it's not getting better. I don't want to live where I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, afraid to drive alone at night, unable to walk up to the local shopping center for fear of mugging or worse. Our families have both experienced crime first hand, thank goodness nothing too terrible, but I don't want to raise children in an environment so crippled by fear.

Economics

Economically, South Africa is relatively stable considering the global financial crisis; but the cost of living here seems to rise exponentially while salaries stay the same. Before we land ourselves in major debt by buying a house or new car in South Africa, I'd like to explore my options elsewhere, preferably in a country more resilient to global economic trends and with some kind of social security safety net if things should go wrong.

Lifestyle

The natural beauty of South Africa is unsurpassed and I will miss it. There's nothing like spending a weekend away in the bush or the Drakensberg. We'll have to find a country that offers similar nature experiences. I'd like to live somewhere that caters to cyclists too. Although I like the climate here and enjoy the summer, I'd like to be able to get involved with more winter sports. I dream of having a white Christmas too.

We'll miss our friends and family, boerewors and biltong, but I think the pros of leaving South Africa far outweigh the cons. Thankfully, we have the full support of our families, which will make leaving them a little bit easier. 

What do beautiful black girls like to do on a first date? This is the question posed by many a man who wants to successfully date African girls. Fortunately, there are plenty of answers to this question and they all involve having a lot of fun. A good first date will essentially involve any activity that both people enjoy.

Art Gallery

Many of the world’s major cities have art galleries that regularly exhibit African art. An African couple on a first date could go to see one of these exhibitions if they’re looking for a cultured experience. This kind of date has several benefits. The couple have something to talk about because they can discuss the art they’re looking at. As the date has an African theme, they can use it as common ground to bond over. If a first date is in the daytime, an art gallery is a great place to spend it. Lastly, a lot of art galleries have cafes, so the couple can extend the date by grabbing a coffee after looking at the art.

Restaurant

A lot of towns and cities across the globe also have African restaurants to cater to the large diaspora. Eating familiar food can help people to relax in an otherwise potentially nerve-racking situation. Therefore an African couple may want to eat out some place where they can order food they were used to having back in Africa. Even if a man or woman of the  African diaspora wasn’t actually born in Africa, it’s very likely that their parents cooked them traditional African food when they were a child. As men who date African girls know, incorporating a positive childhood experience into a date helps to relax the woman.

Concert

If an African musician or band is in town, why not go to the concert with your date? It’s a great way to have fun whilst experiencing the music of Africa. The artist may even have traditional, popular African songs in their set list that both people on the date will have heard of. The majority of people enjoy watching live performances of songs they know. African music and dance is usually really lively, so the couple is very likely to be energized and enthused by the concert. Most men who date African girls love to watch them dance anyway and a concert is the perfect excuse to do so.

Shopping

Men who date African girls know how much these women love to shop. However, not that many men are willing to treat their girl to a shopping trip on the first date. Yes, it can end up being expensive, but it makes the man seem generous and thoughtful. Furthermore, because it’s an unusual idea, he also comes across as very creative and interesting. Just think of what a nice surprise it is for the woman to turn up to the first date and find out she’s being treated to an all-expenses paid shopping trip. To add an African flavor to the date, the couple could visit stores that sell African fashions, music, art or books.

The man who wants to date African girls is spoilt for choice when it comes to first date ideas. All it takes is a little effort, imagination and money and a man can easily end up taking a woman on the best first date of her life. If he manages to do so, he’s almost guaranteed a second date.

Making the move from Africa to Canada is an exciting and often exhilarating experience, but it can be challenging. For an African in Canada, there is always the potential of having trouble finding a job, especially in today's already unforgiving job-market. Presented below are ten factors that can influence African immigrants’ success in Canada.

1. Social Networking

Social networking has become the way of the world, and the job-market has come to prove its effectiveness. African homesickness in Canada can leave immigrants with a feeling of disconnection, and one great way to battle this sentiment is through social networking. Once arriving in Canada, rebuilding social, professional and spiritual networks offers a way to begin settling into the new environment.

2. Professional Specialization

One helpful way to find work in Canada is to look for fields of specialization that are currently in high-demand before arriving in the country. Canadian provinces, as well as the federal government, provide lists of occupations and professional specializations online and available to the public. Check out a list of high demand jobs at http://w-ww.cic.gc.ca/english/-immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp.

3. Recognition of Education Credentials

Many immigrants face problems when it comes to having their academic credentials recognized when they arrive in Canada. Most immigrants from Africa have to take additional courses upon arriving in Canada in order to attain a recognized Canadian degree or diploma. If you would like to try and have your credential recognized, you can collect all necessary paperwork and submit it to the appropriate regulatory body in your province.

4. Imagination

When immigrating to a new country, having an open-mind is key. African culture varies greatly from Canadian culture, as does the African and Canadian job-market. The best advice for immigrant Africans looking for success is Canada is to be flexible. You should be open to accepting different kinds of jobs than they are used to working. There is always the potential to reach an ideal job or start a new company, but in the process, finding all types of work can be beneficial.

5. Age

While age is always a factor in any work environment, there is legally no discrimination based on age in the Canadian workplace. And perhaps more importantly, there is no obligation to retire in Canada. Having age as a leading factor that can influence African immigrant success in Canada can be both positive and negative, so be careful to take into account your years of experience when contemplating job paths.

6. Willingness to Adapt

There is nothing more beneficial in the immigration process than having a positive attitude and a willingness to adapt to the new country around you. While Canada is certainly not a color-blind society, it offers a far more harmonious social situation than most areas of Africa. Trying to understand what Canadians value, as opposed to African culture values, and having a respect for Canadian culture will definitely make the immigration process far smoother for all parties involved.

7. Language

Canada is a bilingual country, speaking both French and English; however, most job positions in Canada require English-speaking candidates. Learning English will greatly heighten your chances of obtaining a job, and with the option of free language training programs, there is no excuse not to know Canada's professional language. Additionally, if you are having trouble perfecting your accent, there is always the option of going to an accent reduction program.

8. Canadian Experience

Many Canadian employers turn African immigrants down because they believe that they do not yet have enough Canadian experience. In order to develop Canadian experience, you can participate in short-term training programs, temporary jobs and volunteer activities to help positively influence your chances at obtaining a long-term job. 

9. Weather Adaption

If you are planning to immigrate to Canada, some big changes are in store, including adapting to the very different weather. While Africans usually grow up in mostly hot and humid countries, Canada offers temperatures that are typically in the negatives. Before choosing a permanent location to live, you should research the different areas' weather patterns and choose a location that you feel comfortable living in. There is also a list of the most livable cities in Canada at  http://list.moneysense.ca/rankings/best-places-to-live/2011/Default.aspx?sp2=1&d1=a&sc1=0.

10. Perseverance and Resilience

Passion is what drives individuals, so having plenty of it will drastically influence your success in Canada. Always make the best of the opportunities which surround you, and remember, some people would give everything they have to come to Canada, making immigration rights something that should not be taken for granted.

All in all, there are a variety of factors that can lead to African immigrant success in Canada, ranging from language practice and social networking to imagination and perseverance. However, despite the advice that can be given, the success of an immigrant ultimately rests in his or her own actions and determination to succeed.

You may join us in our forum to ask or answer questions from other Africans of the diaspora at: http://www.africameet.net/forum/.

© Africa MeetNet : http://www.africameet.net

Though the past trend for most Africans immigrants who are migrating to the United States or Canada has been to move to big cities, there is a recent change that has many relocating to small towns. While big cities offer lots of opportunities, there are some benefits to living in a small town that cannot be replicated in larger-populated areas.

The Past Thought on Big Cities

For most African migrants traveling to the United States or Canada, there used to be a thought of choosing a city where they can better “blend in.” Additionally, in choosing a large city to migrate to, African immigrants found it easier to connect with African communities in the area. For decades, cities like New York, Newark, Chicago, Toronto and Montreal have been receiving thousands of African migrants, but in more recent years, many are much more seriously considering relocating to small towns.

Opportunities of the Small Town

While small towns are less likely to be the meeting grounds for any African culture social groups, they do offer a wide variety of opportunities available. Firstly, while large cities may provide more job openings, small towns usually offer far less competition in the job market. Secondly, small towns often have a much lower cost of living, which can be quite beneficial considering that many people immigrate in order to help their families back at home in Africa. And finally, small towns are often much more reminiscent of African rural atmospheres than a large city and can help with the feeling of displacement for many immigrants.

Incentives to Move to a Small Town

Along with having some naturally occurring opportunities and benefits, there may be incentives from the government or local institutions for those wanting to move to a small town. Small towns are often looking for specialists in health and education, amongst other fields, and have the potential to offer such benefits as permanent resident visa sponsorship in the United States and provincial nominee programs in Canada. 

The Challenges of a Small Town

Despite whether an African in Canada or an African in USA moves to a large city or a small city, there are bound to be challenges. However, one challenge that may face you in moving to a small town is the fact that there is less diversity, potentially requiring more effort on your part to adapt to the local culture. Additionally, people do tend to be more conservative in small towns. It is also almost impossible to find African products in small towns, making traveling to a larger city a necessity for those wanting to shop for African products.

While large cities have been the favorite relocation areas in the past for most African immigrants, many today are choosing to instead migrate to smaller, more concise towns. While there may be challenges involved with moving to a small town, there are also plenty of benefits that make it worthwhile.

A lot of Africans know how to cook and love doing so. Many of them will have been handed down traditional family recipes by their parents. It’s a great idea for two Africans on a first date to discuss their favorite dishes and to swap recipes. This way, men who date African girls learn lots of tips and tricks to improve their cooking. If two people on a first date discover that they like the same types of food, they could even arrange to cook a traditional African meal together on their second date. They could also discuss where to buy African ingredients, as many destination countries now have specialist grocery stores catering to African immigrants.

Famous Africans
Although it’s better to avoid talking about African politicians so early on in the relationship, there are still many other famous Africans a couple on their first date can discuss. This is a great conversation topic because it’s on common ground. Pick a really famous African and both people on a date will have heard of them, precisely because they’re so famous. Both Africans on the date will probably also identify with the celebrity, precisely because the person is African. A man who wants to successfully date African girls should make the effort to find out which celebrities are popular with African women.

Blogs
Many Africans enjoy keeping up with news and opinions about their continent by reading fellow diasporans’ articles. Nowadays, a lot of the best articles about Africa and the African diaspora are online. A man and a woman on a date are likely to be regular readers of at least one blog about Africa. Therefore, men who date African girls may want to try talking with them about an Africa blog. If both people on the date read the same blog, they can discuss their favorite posts and what they think of the blogger. If they read different blogs, they can swap recommendations.

The best way to get conversation flowing on a first date is to pick a safe, uncontroversial subject that both people can relate to. If two people on a date are from the same African background, they have the advantage of having a lot to talk about. This is because they’ll have had a lot of common experiences either in Africa or to do with Africa. African men who date African girls find they get to learn more about their continent than they could ever imagine possible.

© Africa MeetNet : http://www.africameet.net

Culture shock can manifest itself in a variety of ways ranging from feelings of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and disorientation. If left unmanaged, these feelings could worsen and lead to overwhelming feelings of alienation or even despair. To maximize the African diaspora experience and to live a happy and productive life in the adoptive country, it is important to survive culture shock.

Be Prepared

If a language barrier exists, do what you can to hurdle it. Learn at least a few basic sentences before boarding that plane. Read up on the country of destination. Books, magazines, and pre-departure literature are all good sources of information. Don’t discount the Internet, for there’s a plethora of information on it. Find an African blog or website about life abroad for the African diaspora. Blogs about African immigrants are a fantastic source of information and can help manage expectations.

Ask a Local

Reading is good, but no amount of reading can prepare you for the actual African diaspora experience once you’ve moved to the new country. Uncertainty naturally sets in when faced with new people and new social situations. Don’t panic. When in doubt, ask a local. Interaction with locals can’t be all that bad. It presents an opportunity to hone language and communication skills. Initially, these locals may be coworkers, classmates, or even neighbors who may or may not eventually form your new social circle.

Be Tolerant

Expect things to be different in the host country. Different does not mean “inferior” or “bad.” Refrain from judging an entire country or people on the basis of the behavior of some. For instance, if you are part of the new African diaspora in the U.S., keep in mind that said country is a very diverse one, and there’s a wide variation of culture even between states. Try not to uphold African culture as the yardstick of what’s “good” or “bad” behavior. After all, you would want your host country to extend the same courtesy.

Watch and Learn

Make an effort to learn the adoptive country’s culture - the values, norms, customs, traditions, and even the flirting and dating etiquette which make the host country so different. Learn from other African diaspora. Read local papers and watch local TV channels to get a better understanding of local quirks and language conventions. Observe and pay attention to the ways in which people behave and interact with each other in social situations. It would take time, but you’d learn to pick up the subtlest of cultural cues eventually.

Develop a Support Network

Initially, you may find yourself gravitating toward other members of the African diaspora. This is a good thing as they can be part of a network of support that would be there when things get too overwhelming. However, try and expand your social circle. Find a group or a club that fosters your hobbies and interests. Maintaining contact with family and friends back home eases the pangs of loneliness. Take advantage of the conveniences afforded by advances in communications technology, but don’t overdo it.

Almost every immigrant experiences some form of culture shock and African immigrants are no exception. Surviving culture shock among the Africa diaspora takes effort, patience, and most of all, openness to new people, experiences, and a different culture.

© Africa MeetNet : http://www.africameet.net

Charlize Theron is one the most popular actresses in Hollywood today, and while it is hard to believe for many, she comes from the continent of Africa. Along with being a South African actress, Theron is also a film producer and former fashion model. Below are some interesting facts and information on the much-publicized actress.

Life in Africa

While Charlize Theron is fluent in English, as most of her films will demonstrate, her first language is actually Afrikaans. Having been born a white African in Benoni, South Africa, Theron spent the earliest years of her life in Africa up until she was sixteen, at which point she travelled to Milan for a modeling contract. Following this, Theron traveled to New York, and three years later, at 19, Theron permanently moved to United States, landing in Los Angeles.

Her Hollywood Career

Though Charlize Theron began as a model, she very soon developed a passion for dance, studying at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. However, a knee injury soon ended Theron's days of dancing, leading her to her next career in film. Working in film as an actress ultimately led to Theron's world-wide success and bountiful career. She was initially discovered at a bank by a casting agent and slowly began with non-speaking roles, later moving up to leading roles in some of the United State's top sellers. Additionally, Theron soon began producing films shortly thereafter. Though one of the leading actresses in Hollywood, Theron is one of the few white African women who found commercial entertainment success in Los Angeles.

Activism

Coming far from her days immersed in African culture, Charlize Theron became greatly involved in many political activist movements, including women's rights and pro-choice rallies. Theron is also a strong supporter of PETA, being an active member herself. Along with believing in animal rights, Theron supports same-sex marriages and attended a political march to support the movement in 2009. Additionally, as a white African, Theron has her own outreach program to help better the African standard of living. Most recently, Theron has begun helping to provide soccer fields in the most rural areas of the continent.

Acting Awards

Charlize Theron has received a number of honors since becoming a successful Hollywood actress. Along with having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Theron has received an Academy Award for best actress, as well as multiple Golden Globe nominations for the film North County, in which she has a leading role. Additionally, Theron appeared in the 1999 issue of Playboy Magazine, a privilege and honor to many high-class actresses and models.

Charlize Theron is one of the most talked about actresses in Hollywood, and her riveting performances in numerous lead roles have led to her professional success. While Theron may now be known as a United States resident, her roots lie in South Africa, having been born there and spent a majority of her earliest year sgrowing up as a white African immersed in African culture.

© Africa MeetNet : http://www.africameet.net

Foreign Credentials

Unfortunately for most Africans countrymen hoping to immigrate to Canada, foreign credentials are not often recognized. Once an African immigrant has traveled to Canada, he or she may need to undergo more schooling or pass exams to become qualified. If you do wish to try and have your credentials recognized, you can contact the appropriate regulatory body and provide them with all necessary documents to have your credentials assessed, though your results will vary greatly depending on the province you are located in and the profession you are pursuing.

Canadian Experience
Another difficult hurdle that immigrant Africans in Canada must learn to overcome is the common response from an employer that he or she does not yet have enough “Canadian experience.” What this expression means is that the applicant has not yet spent enough time working or living in Canada to understand the culture. One way you can gain more Canadian experience is by understanding Canadian culture better and working through a volunteer program, such as the ones that can be found at http://volunteer.ca/home. Volunteer service is a key value in Canada and you may find volunteer organizations almost everywhere. Volunteer services will typically train you to provide you with valuable skills and experience that look great on your resume and can help you get a job in Canada.

Practice Interview Questions
Once your resume has been received by an employer, and he or she calls you in for an interview, make sure that you are prepared. Practicing common interview questions and responses is a smart way for African immigrants to gain confidence for employment interviews and impress the employers. Common interview questions include:

1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

2. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

3. What do you believe that you can bring to the company?

4. Why did you decide to relocate to Canada?

5. What is your ideal working environment?

Search the Web
The internet is an extremely useful tool when it comes to job searching. African immigrants can look on an Africa blog about immigration jobs or keep an eye out on more common job seeker websites such as Workopolis.com and Edujobscanada.com. When searching for jobs available, try many different search terms and remember to check out classifieds like Craigslist in Canada.

Look for Hidden Jobs
It is often said that about 80% of jobs are not advertised in newspapers, signs or on the internet; they are instead a part of a hidden job market. To get around this difficultly, networking can be extremely beneficial for finding work. If you are interested in a particular company or business, you should speak with current employees at the location and get as much information on applying as possible.

Take What You can Get
As an African in Canada, surrounded by little to no African culture and way of life, it is important to adapt as quickly as possible. One way of doing this to take any job offer that comes your way and work to move up from there. One other advantage of this method is that these easier to get positions can put food on the table and will help to take the first steps to financial and cultural stability. They also help you avoid landing on social insurance for your survival.

Moving to any new city can be difficult, let alone a new country. Finding a job quickly is a great way to help any immigrant survive in a new country, as well as help his or her adaption to a new way of life go more smoothly.

© Africa MeetNet : http://www.africameet.net

Rokia Traore is one of the top African female musicians in today's world. Having been born in Africa, Traore helped bring popularity and commercial success to the African music world by performing in multiple other countries who came to love and embrace her ethnically-influenced, African music.

Early Life

Rokia Traore was born in Mali as a member of the Bambara ethnic group of which her father was a noble member. Growing up, her father served as a diplomat and brought her with him on many of his travels while she was still young. Traore traveled to countries such as Algeria, France, Belgium and Saudi Arabia while still a child, exposing her to a large range of influences and life experiences, as well as musical styles.

Being a Bambara

Though Traore had a passion for African music and dance, noble members of the Bambara were often encouraged not to perform as musicians, despite the fact that the Bambara have a long tradition of performing at wedding ceremonies. However, regardless of the discouragement from the Bambara, Traore began performing publicly in college, where she studied in Bamako. Though attending school earlier in Mali, it was not until she reached Bamako that she finally let go of the African culture's thoughts on Bamako members of nobility and started to sing for audiences.

Her Music

While acoustic guitars are not common for female musicians in Africa, Rokia Traore plays one, along with singing to the instrument. Additionally, Traore uses vocal harmonies in her musical arrangements, something which is rare in Malian music of any kind. It was not until 1997 that Traore's public profile was raised as a musician when she was compared to Mali musician Ali Farka Toure. Following the much-publicized comparison, Traore went on to release her first album in late 1997 in Mali, entitled Mouneissa. Traore's album went on to sell over 40,000 copies in Europe, where it was released in September 1998 as a huge success.

The Second and Third Albums

Rokia Traore later released her second album, Wanita, in July of 2000. Her second album received a large amount of musical accolades and became even more popularized when The New York Times nominated it as one of the critic's albums of the year. This recognition came as heart-warming news to Traore, who wrote every song on the album and arranged the entire CD by herself. Traore's third album, entitled Bowmboi, is sung in the Bambara language and has two tracks that were recorded with the Kronos Quartet. Traore's third album was awarded the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award, which is one of the most prestigious awards to be given in the music industry. 

Rokia Traore comes from African culture, having grown up on African music and dance. However, despite her heritage, Traore has grown to be one of the most influential and top African female musicians in all parts of the world, bringing success to popular African songs that would otherwise have never of had exposure in places outside of Africa.

When moving to a new country, African women and men leave behind their culture, music, dance, languages and unique industries. With such a drastic change of lifestyle, it is still important for you to meet and connect with other African countrymen while abroad. Presented below are some useful tips for immigrant Africans looking to meet and connect with other Africans while abroad.

Attend African Social Events

Attending African social events is a great way for immigrants to meet new people. You can look online, or explore African shops to see if they know if any events that are taking place. There are African Student Associations in all major university or college around the world; it is easy to find their contact details on the Web or from their institution and ask them to invite you to any African social events they may organize.  Along with meeting new friends, African social events can often provide the homesick with the music and food of Africa, bringing pleasant memories of their homeland. Additionally, joining an African social group can help with the feeling of homesickness and provide a safe place for anyone in need of friends.

Furthermore, those events may help African singles meet other African girls and men in search of friendship.

Volunteer at Multicultural Events

Another way for you to become more active in the community and meet other Africans immigrants is by volunteering at multicultural events in the area. You can volunteer in your city or province to represent your home country. Additionally, many immigrants who have traveled from Africa will feel a sense of pride in representing their homeland and being able to bring some African culture to a new country. Volunteering at multicultural events is also a good way to rack up experience for when you are job searching. 

Use Connection Websites

In today's world, you have to use technology to your benefit. One way the internet can help you meet and connect with other African immigrants is by providing social meet up websites. Finding an expat blog or forum on the web will often lead you to many more African people looking for the same thing, and hopefully, provide you with the chance to find other countrymen in your area.  A great and natural place to start is obviously AfricaMeet.net which is a dedicated social networking site for African of the diaspora. You may participate in the African forum to seek advice from other Africans or share your own experience.   

Join African Clubs

Joining an African club can provide immigrants with a regular group of people to interact with and will certainly help you find other African immigrants while abroad. Whether it be at a school, college or workplace, joining an African club can also offer opportunities for an immigrant to date African girls or African men in the area if they are interested in doing so.

Join an Interest Group

Aside from looking for African-specific clubs, you can also join an interest group. You may for instance start your own interest group or join one at Africa MeetNet. One benefit to joining an interest group is the chance to meet with other African immigrants who have similar interests to you, as well as any non-Africans that are in the same group.

All in all, as an African immigrant, you do not want homesickness for Africa to settle in and leave you feeling alone in a country you do not know. Looking to meet and connect with other African immigrants in the same area is one excellent way to help you engage in the people and places that surround you while in a new and unfamiliar country.

African immigrants are sure to undergo a culture shock when arriving in Canada. The best way to adapt to a new country is to prepare for it. Below are some tips for African women and men wanting to know more about Canada's way of life.

Scented Perfume

Unlike many countries such as French-speaking African countries, in Canada it is improper to wear scented perfume in the workplace. Additionally, wearing any type of perfume in a school or hospital is also not acceptable. One of the reasons is to be found in the fact that a lot of people have allergies in Canada.  Scented perfume is still sold in Canada, but African immigrants, especially African women, looking for employment would be best advised not to wear any unless on their free time.

Cover Your Germs

Similarly to many countries, it is considered rude and improper to allow the potential of your germs to spread when it can be helped. An African woman or man in Canada, along with anyone else in Canada, should sneeze into their elbows and not their arms in order to help avoid spreading germs, especially in the winter time, when the flu and cold are so common. It is interesting to note that in many African countries, people sneeze in handkerchief or tissues. 

Be Tolerant to Minorities

While Canada is certainly not a perfect place when it comes to all types of discrimination, it is working towards a more inclusive and liberal future. Though it may sound too liberal to some types of African culture or beliefs, being tolerant of all minorities is an important value of Canadian life. This can range from homosexuals who can legally get married to ethnic groups who can freely practice all types of religion and uphold their traditions. Canada is diverse and filled with immigrants from all over the world, so multiculturalism is a living reality all over the country.

Cold Weather

Canada has significantly differing weather patterns from anywhere in Africa. African immigrants planning to move to Canada should prepare for much colder weather than they are used to having. Additionally, you should consider looking at historical weather patterns beforehand when it comes to choosing a city to relocate to.  You may find historical weather information on each city website. It also always helps to get some advice from the other members of the African diaspora. The experience of those African men and women will be fairly similar to what you may experience once you immigrate to Canada.

A good motto is that there is no bad weather, only bad clothing, so wrap up when it’s cold. In addition, don’t lament your lost African sun, but quickly learn to adapt by practicing winter sports such as ski and hockey. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Some neighborhoods in Canada, particularly in the large cities, are not very diverse and tend to be predominantly one ethnic group. If looking for more Africans to live near, it is not a bad idea to check city demographic statistics before choosing a city to move to. One great website that gives information on where in Canada most Africans are living is http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-621-x/2007010/t/4123263-eng.htm.

In addition, you may want to try to connect with other African women and men on our site AfricaMeetNet  or our online African forum to seek their input.  

The Tax System

In Canada, everyone must fill out a tax return of all the different sources of income at the end of every year. After this step, an adjustment is made by Revenue Canada and refunds are given out to anyone who paid extra in taxes. Similarly, if not enough was paid in taxes, additional payments must be made. For this reason, it is important for you to keep receipts of most purchases, as some of them may end up being tax deductible. Some possible receipts that would be tax deductible include daycare fees, public transportation and tuition.

All in all, no one can ever be too prepared when it comes to immigrating to a new country. Leaving behind African culture and becoming an African in Canada can be difficult on many immigrants, so it is important to learn as much about the country as you can before arriving.

African-born superstar Angelique Kidjo is one of the top African female singers in today's music market. Born Angelique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, Angelique Kidjo has had much commercial success in the music industry and been able to provide other parts of th  e world with African culture through her music.

Growing Up

Angelique Kidjo was born in Cotonou, Benin and grew up listening to all kinds of music. Along with regularly hearing traditional African music from her native Benin, Angelique also listened to more contemporary artists such as Otis Redding and Stevie Wonder. Angelique Kidjo's mother was part of a theatre troupe, and by the time Angelique reached six years old, she too was performing with the troupe. Having also participated in her school band, Angelique later recorded “Les Trois Z” which has played on national radio stations in Africa. However, faced with many political issues in Benin, Angelique later moved to Paris to pursue a career as an independent singer.

Years in Paris

While in Paris, Angelique Kidjo studied music at a Jazz school where she would later meet and marry the music producer Jean Hebrail. As her life continued, Angelique would go on to compose most of her music with Jean Hebrail. Initially, Angelique began as a backup singer in local Parisian bands and later became the front-singer of Jasper van't Hof's Pili Pili. Nearing the end of the 1980s, Angelique was one of the most demanded live performers in Paris. From there, Angelique went on to begin recording her own solo albums.

Languages

Angelique Kidjo is fluent in four languages. Along with French and English, Angelique speaks both Fon and Yoruba. To make her music even more interesting and diverse, she will sing in all four languages. Additionally, Angelique has her own personal language that includes a series of made-up words and phrases that will often arise in her self-written songs.

Like most Africans of the diapora, Angelique is a polyglot.  You may thus discuss her music and other African singers in both French and English in our online forum of Africa MeetNet.  

Her Influences

Angelique Kidjo has a wide variety of musical influences, all adding to her own eclectic career that includes Afropop, Afrobeat, reggae, world, world fusion, worldbeat, jazz, gospel and even Latin. Some of Angeliques's influences include Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana and James Brown. Additionally, Angelique has collaborated with such artists as Kelly Prince, John Legend, Bono and the Dave Matthews Band.

Recognitions

Angelique Kidjo has received numerous amounts of musical and activist recognitions, including the Grammy award, in her years of performing as a singer and songwriter. Time Magazine referred to Angelique as “Africa's premier diva”, while BBC included her in its list of the U.K.'s 50 top iconic figures. Additionally, Angelique has been listed as one of the 100 most inspiring women in the world by The Guardian.

Along with recording some of the most popular African songs and providing some of the top African music to her homeland, Angelique Kidjo helped to bring African culture into parts of the world where it did not yet exist. Her earliest passions for African music and dance led to a career that ceased to halt and brought enjoyment to all of her listeners.

You may get additional information about Africans of the diaspora from our African blog or African forum at Africa MeetNet.

When preparing to migrate to Canada, there are multiple steps that you should be prepared for and ready to face.  If you are still reviewing your options with visa application, you may want to read our blog about the African guide to preparing for immigration to Canada first. This article assumes you already have received a Canadian visa. 

The African culture is quite different from that of Canada, so African women and men moving to that country should try to educate themselves about the basic daily transactions that will ease their transition upon arrival. The good news is, there is a large African diaspora in Canada, and you may meet old or new friends online in our African forum to seek their advice about what to expect.  

 Below is some information that can help African Immigrants wanting to begin the relocation process in Canada.

Know where you’re Landing

First things first, selecting a city in Canada where you want to land is a key first step. You don’t necessarily have to land in the city you selected for your visa application. The African diaspora in Canada may be found in every province and city; however, they tend to concentrate in bigger cities and a few medium and small cities.  Many African immigrants choose to move to cities where they have friends from their native African country or there is a significant presence of their native countrymen.

In addition, some factors that may attribute to finding the right city are weather, job prospects and cost of living. African immigrants coming directly from Africa will have a lot of adjusting to do when it comes to Canadian winters, so choosing a location that is known for less snow and warmer temperatures is always a good bet. Still, most African women and men moving to Canada understand that a warm weather is not what they are primarily after when they decided to leave their ever sunny Africa.  

Additionally, if you already have a job lined up, choosing a close or neighboring town to live in is important. You should also take into account the cost of living in whatever city you are considering. One great website that provides a list of the most livable cities in Canada is http://www.moneysense.ca/2011/03/29/canadas-best-places-to-live-2011/

Traveling Forms

Before packing your belongings, you should know about items that are forbidden or you are allowed to bring into Canada; the law is very strictly enforced.  Once you arrive at the airport, you should follow the immigrant line for control, not the citizen line. Be sure to have your Canadian immigrant visa or Confirmation of Permanent Residence for yourself and any other family members traveling with you. Additionally, each person traveling must have a valid passport, two copies of a detailed list of all the household items being brought into the country and two copies of a list of all the items that will be arriving later in the country, including their monetary value.

You may be surprised at the airport to meet African women or men who already hold Canadian citizenship as immigration and custom officers. All services at the airport are provided in both English and French, because Canada is a bilingual country.

After the immigration control, your picture will be taken for your permanent residency card and a social insurance number card will also be mailed to you at the address you indicate on your landing form.

Health Care

In Canada, health services are free as you pay for those through your taxes. Health services are managed by each province, not the federal government. In order for an African immigrant to be able to utilize the free health services of Canada, he or she must make a visit to the provincial government offices. At the provincial government office, a health card will be given out, guaranteeing your right to free health care. African immigrants to Canada, especially those with kids, should make it a priority to apply for their health card as soon as they arrive for any health emergency that may arise.  

Looking for Somewhere to Live

In Canada most landlords prefer to accept housing applications from those who are willing to sign a one year lease. However, if you are unsure of your length of stay, or if you do not want to commit to any long-term agreement, you may look for a shorter lease or rent on a monthly basis. If you are financially restricted, you may want to consider renting out a basement room or bedroom in a house, as they are usually listed at lower monthly prices.

Alternatively, you may stay temporarily with an African friend in Canada, if you have any, as a roommate and share the cost of the rent.

Emergencies

Finally, when settling in a new Canadian location, you should promptly purchase a cell phone, or at the very least, know a close-by telephone that they can use in case of emergency. Similarly to what citizens in the USA would call, the emergency number for Canada is 9-1-1.

Canada is quite a very safe country with a multicultural culture. There are over one million Africans in Canada from all ethnic backgrounds including white Africans, black Africans, Arab Africans, etc., so most African immigrants should be able to adapt fairly well.

 Still,  adapting to Canada and leaving behind African culture is going to be a hard enough challenge for anyone migrating to Canada, so being as prepared as possible for relocation and the steps we described can be very helpful.

You may get additional information from our African blog series or ask questions by visiting our African forum on our website Africa MeetNet.

© Africa MeetNet : http://www.africameet.net

The African guide to preparing for immigration to Canada is extensive. African women and men planning to move are sure to face much change and go through multiple short-term struggles. Listed below are some great tips when it comes to preparing for a move to Canada and some advice that can help the process go more smoothly.  There are between 500,000 to one million African-born immigrants in Canada, the largest groups being from Egypt and South Africa and the smallest African immigrant communities are from Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe. The African diaspora in Canada includes white Africans, black Africans, African women , African men  and children from just about any African country.

Types of Visas

In immigrating to a new country, you want to be sure you know your exact legal standing and situation. There are many different types of visas available to Africans wanting to immigrate to Canada. Some of the most common visas include federal skilled workers, family-reunions, investors, refugees and student. The first thing you should do before trying to make the trip to Canada is to carefully choose what class of immigration visa you want or need. For more information, or to get answers to your visa enquiries, visit your local Canadian embassy, or take a look at the Canadian government site at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp. 

There is also a self-help wizard to guide you and help you determine your eligibility at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/app/ctcvac/english/index?utm_source=short-url&utm_medium=short-url&utm_campaign=come-to-canada 

Most of the immigrant visa application is straightforward and you normally don’t need a lawyer or consultant. In our opinion, refugee application may be a little more challenging and best handled by professionals lawyers, if you can afford to hire one. At any rate, if you decide to hire a consultant, lawyer or agency, you owe it to yourself to do your homework diligently. There are so many cases of frauds and scams that you should only deal with licensed immigration consultants. If an offer from someone to help you migrate to Canada sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

You may find more information about licensed immigration consultants in Canada on the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) website: http://www.iccrc-crcic.ca.

Standard of Living

Moving to Canada is sure to bring some excitement and exhilaration to any African who is immigrating. One thing to note, and one thing that will be obvious upon arrival, is the difference in the standard of living. Canada has a reputation as being one of the highest standard of living locations in the world, which can be a huge change in comparison to some of the most poverty-stricken areas of Africa. 

Additionally, you may be surprised by the level of efforts undertaken to build a true multiculturalism society that includes and guarantees equal rights to many diverse minorities. As a result, there is arguably far less racism or discrimination in Canada than there is to be found in some parts of Africa, especially between African ethnic groups. Whether you are a white African or a black African, a beautiful African woman or an elegant African man, you will be typically treated the same under the law in most areas of Canada. 

This is not to suggest by any means that Canada is a perfect country and a colour-blind society; there are obviously individuals who are openly racists or opposed to the very notion of immigration promoted by their goverment. Before making the move, take some time to learn about the differences between African culture and canadian way of life by talking with friends or other Africans in Canada to prevent culture shock.

The African forum on Africa MeetNet is a good place to meet Africans online and ask for advice.

Planning

Planning is essential when it comes to immigration matters. If hoping to immigrate to Canada, you should know that it may take over 1 year for your visa application to even go through.  It is very rare for any potential immigrant to find a job while outside Canada. Still, though it is difficult, it does not hurt for Africans to try and find a job before arriving in Canada or increase their chances of finding a job shortly after arriving in Canada.  In the event that work is not found prior to immigrating, try and budget for at least 4 to 6 months living in Canada so that there is ample time to find employment. 

Also take time to look carefully at various housing options to see what is affordable and become familiar with the ideal locations for standard of life, as well as proximity to schools and high employment areas.

There is an extensive list of the best places to live Canada published yearly by the Canadian Money Sense magazine, available at: http://www.moneysense.ca/2011/03/29/canadas-best-places-to-live-2011/ 

Job Searching

Job searches can be daunting, especially for Africans wanting to find work in Canada. Most Africans and all immigrants to Canada for this matter struggle upon arrival and may go through a soul-searching phase before finding a decent employment. While a manual job may not be your dream idea when arriving in Canada, the truth is that there is quite a higher demand for such positions than any type of intellectual jobs. There is an inflation of intellectuals and university graduates in most developed countries, including Canada, which translates into a fierce competition. Yet, there is an increasing higher demand for manual jobs that cannot be outsourced, while the labour supply is low. In most cases, those manual jobs may pay better than what used to be traditionally viewed as attractive intellectual jobs. 

Looking for a housing, construction, hospitality (hotel, tourism, chef, etc), health-related or home assistant job is not a bad place to start when looking to find employment in Canada. Once settled, it is always possible to advance into a more preferable position.

If you are looking to migrate to Canada, take care to follow the tips above and ensure that you have a solid plan of action. Always keep in mind that plans fall apart, so have a back-up plan in the event of an emergency (such as a job falling through upon arrival).  

This guide is part of a series of articles published on our online African blog; so you should check the other guides out or get more information from the African forum on our site Africa MeetNet.

Contrary to most African countries, and even Europe, it is fairly easy to buy a home in Canada or USA. This comes as good news to most African immigrants who have already had to deal with moving to a new country and adapting to a new culture and lifestyle separate from the African culture and lifestyle they left behind in their home country. Below is some helpful information for African immigrants wanting to buy a home in Canada or USA.

Mortgage Payment versus Rent

One advantage to living in Canada and USA is that mortgage payments on new houses have the potential to be similar in rate to renting a house or apartment. This means that it makes perfect sense to try and purchase a home as early as possible. Some people get caught up renting and years down the line they are no closer to owning a home and have spent thousands of dollars. Additionally, owning a home may help with any sense of pride for the African diaspora by providing African immigrants with a space of their own.

Build Good Credit

Building good credit is an extremely important factor when it comes to purchasing a home in any country. Obviously, most African immigrants do not have the kind of income to purchase a home at face-value in one, complete payment. For this reason, building a good credit score could be the determining factor on whether or not you will be able to purchase your own home in Canada. A great way to start building good credit is to apply for a secure credit card or a store credit card that offers a small credit line. Using a credit card for purchases and paying it off on-time can help raise your credit score. Never miss payments on any bills either to ensure credit stays up.

Small Home Down Payments

For most homes, only a 5% down payment is required at purchase. As for the rest of the payment, a mortgage can be taken out to be paid over time. With such a low down payment being needed, it is much easier for Africans to purchase a home in Canada. Additionally, if you want to put a down payment on a home, you always have the possibility of renting out rooms in the house for additional income to help pay off the mortgage.

Research House Prices

It always pays to do your homework, literally. Checking out Canadian house prices online using sites like http://www.mls.ca or any other property sales website can help give African immigrants a better idea of what the housing market looks like on a whole. Using the internet, you can search by city or price to find the perfect home. In researching housing prices before purchasing a home, you can be sure to make certain that you are not being taken advantage of in the housing market. Always remember to place an offer to try and save money.

Know Your Budget

Buying a house is always a major financial decision, under any circumstances. Don’t get carried away by the emotional excitement of your dreams like meeting a beautiful African girl or receiving a marriage proposal by an elegant African man.

Instead, use one of the many budget tools available online and determine exactly what you can afford, not only immediately but also under different work and revenue circumstances. Always remember why you left your native African country and exercise as much financial discipline as you can, in line with the frugal living so common in the African culture.

Get Pre-Approved by a Bank

To take the guesswork out, go to a bank and try to get a mortgage pre-approval. Your banker can help you determine exactly what you can afford and any other conditions you need to meet to get a mortgage. You may check out our other blogs about Africa and African immigrants, or ask your questions in our online African forum for recommendations about bankers or mortgage brokers that other African immigrants on this social networking site have worked with in the past.

Find an African Realtor

There are many African realtors in Canada and USA who can help African immigrants with searching for and purchasing their first homes. Additionally, many African realtors, some of them on this Africa MeetNet social networking site, have been in the same shoes as you are, so turning to them for advice may not be a bad option.

When it comes to purchasing a home in Canada or USA, it may not be too difficult for most African men and women in those two countries. The most important thing is that potential home-buyers do their research and learn as much as they can before purchasing.