Sagar Singh Dhingra is a Health Care Assistant at Peace Portal Seniors Village and Bayshore Home Support
Daljeet Kaur Dhingra is working as a Customer Service Representative at Tim Hortons
Harsimran Dhingra is two and a half years old
Getting Here:
Hoping to secure a better future for his young family, Sagar Singh Dhingra, applied for Canadian immigration under the Skilled Worker’s category. Four months later, he obtained his visa and moved to Canada along with his wife Daljeet and daughter Harsimran
in December 2012.
Upon their arrival, the family stayed with relatives for two weeks, before shifting to their own basement apartment. During this time, Sagar also secured employment as a production worker at Sunrise Kitchen Cabinets in Surrey.
About a year later, he decided to pursue his studies and enrolled in a Health Care Assistant course at PACE Canada College.
Talking about the difficulties that he faced after immigrating, Sagar, who obtained a Masters in Physiotherapy back in India, says that it was initially difficult for him to handle his studies and work simultaneously.
Despite the difficulties, he says that he managed to juggle both due to the support provided to him by the college where he was studying.
"Because we were also working along with studies, management helped us by giving us extra support and time, even going out of their schedule, which was a big help to us. I strongly recommend PACE Canada College to all those who want to earn while they learn," says Sagar, who secured employment immediately after completing his practicum placement at Peace Portal Seniors Village.
Sagar, who was working in Nirmal Ashram hospital as the Head of Department (Physiotherapy) in Dehradun, India, before immigrating, currently works as a Health Care Assistant at Peace Portal Seniors Village. He is also employed with Bayshore Home Health. Daljeet, who completed her Masters in Computer Applications back in India, currently works as a Customer Service Representative at Tim Hortons. She is also planning to go back to school and pursue her studies.
Reflecting on his experiences, Sagar shares the following advice with new and future immigrants: "Just don't put your credentials in the bag. Use them and study ahead. You will have a better future for sure!"
“This country can give you everything, but it depends on your own thinking. You have to implement your hard work and ideas, and you will be paid according to your potential, which will make your inner self satisfied!”
Biggest Obstacles:
Sagar: Initially, while doing labour job, it was hard to cope up with work and studies. But after completing my course, everything went smoothly. Right away, I got hired at the same place where I did my practicum.
Daljeet: Biggest obstacle has been working while taking care of my two-year-old
daughter. I work the night shift and then take care of the family in the morning.
Resolutions:
Sagar: To become an licensed practical nurse
Daljeet: I am planning to pursue my studies
Advice:
Sagar: “For future immigrants, the basic advice is do not waste time thinking about whether or not to pursue your studies. Just go for it. Either do small courses or even choose a big one, but just get into something and then you will have a bright future.
Memories of Homeland:
Sagar: I miss spending time with my family and childhood friends.
