Amy Rice and her fiancée Darren left Leixlip in Co. Kildare for Hamilton, Southern Ontario in Canada, where they live with their daughter Ava (6) and son Rhys (4).
So, why Canada?
“Darren has family here (aunt, uncle and cousins) and had visited throughout his childhood so I guess it’s always been a dream of his to live here one day. When I graduated from college 13 years ago we came to Hamilton to live on a one year Visa. We returned to Ireland a year later and saved up to buy a house together. A few years passed, we had two beautiful children, a house in negative equity and Darren at risk of losing his job every time there was a reshuffle within the business. We applied for the two year working abroad Visas in March of 2014 and got them. They sold out in minutes that year- we weren’t the only ones with plans of a better life across the sea! I applied for a two-year career break from my job and was granted it. Darren got redundancy and we began to plan our big move.
How was the move?
Coming back to Hamilton feels very different to what it did 13 years ago. This time I’m older, more mature and also a mother, so it’s not really about me anymore! In the first few months being so far away from home was really tough but I couldn’t dwell on it too much – I didn’t want the kids to see me upset as they were finding it difficult too. We had many days that one or both of them would be crying asking for their Nannie or Grandma… it broke my heart. I felt so guilty but tried to help them understand that we moved to give them a better future – hopefully. Before moving over that summer, I made a deal with Darren that we would come home that Christmas and also in the summer. I know that twice in the first year is crazy, and boy did we spend an absolute fortune, but it was worth every single cent.
What’s your favourite thing about Canada?
Canada is an extremely culturally diverse country. There are so many different cultures, beliefs and religions but they make it work. That reflects the type of people that Canadians are. I’ve always found them very friendly and helpful (crazy drivers though!). I know the Irish are known as being “drinkers” but honestly I think the Canadians drink more alcohol than us.
What do you miss about home?
Canada used to be a lot cheaper then Ireland, not any more. You’ll still always find some things – cars, PlayStation, petrol etc. but pretty much everything else is relative. I tell you, they’re in need of a Penney’s over here! God, I miss that store! Clothes and shoes are so expensive here and they’re all into their named brands so I don’t get to shop as much as I’d like to.
What’s the food like?
Canadians are healthy eaters. Lots of raw veg, meat and fruit trays. Thankfully we can get very similar items that we would’ve purchased at home. We even found an Irish store about 45 minutes away – we treat ourselves every so often to a frozen batch pan and some Irish sausages! I miss Irish bread so much. No other bread here tastes like it. I have a stash of Taytos in the cupboard so when I start to run low I’ll get onto the family at home to send supplies.
How do you find the school system?
I was very lucky to get a job in my son’s preschool, which meant I wasn’t relying on anybody to pick him up or drop off. We live just outside of the school bus area so I do the the four-minute drive. This September both of my kids will attend elementary school. As with a lot of things in Canada, education is taken very seriously. They have, as far as I know, the fifth best education system in the world. That’s pretty impressive, however I feel that there is way too much pressure put on the kids here. My daughter was five starting school and was coming home with graded work and percentages and goals attached to every item. When I met with her teacher in the first two months I very politely told her that I wasn’t interested in what percentage she was achieving (unless there was a problem). I was more concerned that she fit in socially within her new class and gained some confidence.
Do you socialise much?
Darren and I try to have some sort of “date night” at least once a month. Darren’s cousin’s daughter is 15 and is such a responsible girl that we have no worries leaving her with them for a few hours every so often. Sometimes we really need that break too.
Tell us about the healthcare system
The health system here is called OHIP. We have free health care basically. All GP visits are free, any dermatology, gynaecology and psychology references are all free. Certain procedures are also covered. We have to pay for our dentist visits but Darren has really good benefits in work here so we get the money back at the end of the year! The same goes for maternity care. All public/general care is free and if you want private rooms after the birth, it’s more than likely covered on your benefits.
I was recently at a party and got talking to a NICU nurse. She was explaining to me the care and support that mothers received here before and after their babies were born and it sounded fantastic. They have lactation nurses that are available 24/7 for the first six weeks to help you with breastfeeding, should you choose it. They also insist on skin- to-skin contact immediately after birth- whether that be vaginal or C-section.
How do you manage childcare?
I choose to work and send my son to what’s called a cooperative preschool. It’s a preschool that the parents are involved in the everyday running of. Parents sign up for two duty days a month that they get to spend the morning helping out in their child’s preschool. Canada is new to the idea of play-based learning, which I think is the best way to teach preschool children.
What’s the best thing about living in Canada?
The best part is experiencing so many new things together as a family. The country is so big and so diverse that it’s really broadening our kids and our own horizons. Living here has probably brought us closer together too – we don’t have any choice but to be together! But it’s also shown us how strong we can be. It’s a very big deal moving a family away from everyone and everything they know and love. It’s very difficult to feel uncomfortable, but we worked through it together.
Is there anything you don’t like?
I am dreading the winter. It snowed here from mid-November until April… that’s just ridiculous! It was -35 with a wind chill of -43 for endless days. We kitted ourselves out to protect ourselves from the frostbite – when it’s that cold though you literally run from the car to the house. Winters are very lonely. I hated driving in the ice and snow. They are well equipped with snow ploughs and salt etc. but the roads are still extremely slippy and dangerous. The summer has been really nice with a few very hot and humid days but I will never complain about that!
What’s your favourite thing to do at the weekends?
Canadians like to live. Many enjoy going for hikes, bike rides and just enjoying being outdoors really. However they are also very regimented when it comes to their work. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Canadian say ‘Well I’m in work early tomorrow, but feck it!’
Darren thinks the Canadians work to live, I don’t necessarily agree. I sometimes think that they take themselves way too seriously. On weekends we usually go on a day trip (whenever Darren’s not playing football and taking up nearly a full day just to play 90 minutes). There are so many cool and interesting places to see that we are really trying to make the most of living here.
Any plans to come home?
We don’t know if we’ll apply to stay longer or return home at the end of our Visa but we’re going to make the most of it. We may never get this opportunity again!”
