Onze huiswerkopdracht vòòr we op Exploratory Visit gingen

Augustus 2008 - Toen we gemeld hadden dat we op bezoek naar Manitoba kwamen, kregen we vooraf via e-mail een serieus aantal opdrachten. Hier moesten we direct mee aan de slag, want 4 weken later vertrokken we die kant op. Hieronder staat de mail van maandag 21 juli 2008 met ons "huiswerk".

Dear William Smit:

With reference to your upcoming visit to Manitoba, I have taken the liberty of making some suggestions to accommodate your exploratory needs. As mentioned in our last phone call, you would prefer to stay in the city of Winnipeg. I have taken that into consideration when suggesting suitable accommodations.

It is also important that you cover off the following whilst on your exploratory visit:

• Explore opportunities in your field of work and meet with prospective employers;
• Consult with employers about your potential employability in Manitoba;
• Explore the community in which you would like to live;
• If your intention is to settle in an area outside of Winnipeg and meet with its economic development offices to discuss employment opportunities and available settlement services in the area.

Near the end of your visit, you will be required to have a meeting with a Manitoba Provincial Nominee immigration officer. For your interview with the immigration officer, you should:

• Be prepared to speak about what you have done during your visit to Manitoba and your plans for successful settlement in Manitoba;
• In which community you will reside and which places did you visit;
• In which field(s) you intend to seek employment;
• Who you have made contact with to explore your employment options and their feedback about your employability.

Also: be prepared to answer questions about your education and work experience. It is recommended you bring your and your spouse's (if applicable) original education and work reference letters to the interview and CV.

Let me know if there is anything I have overlooked.

Province of Manitoba
Immigration Promotion & Recruitment Branch
7th floor 213 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, MB Canada R3B 1N3
In de korte aanloop naar ons bezoek, hebben we al deze kwesties zo goed en kwaad als ging voorbereid. Verder hebben we online sollicitaties verstuurd, onze contactgegevens achtergelaten op meerdere informatieve websites, gebeld met makelaars en contact opgenomen met een aantal Nederlandse gezinnen die al in Manitoba wonen. Ook lieten we alvast onze diploma's vertalen, vroegen we werkgeversverklaringen aan en vulden een aantal benodigde formulieren in.
Tot slot hebben we dit allemaal in een schema gezet, om zeker te zijn dat we onze tijd zo goed mogelijk zouden benutten. Met dit alles in de tas, waren we klaar voor ons officiële bezoek aan Manitoba.