Help..

Ok so I'm thinking about moving to Canada and finishing school and stuff there my friend has offered to help me out..my only question is..

How much does it cost for a green card?

I don't think we have green cards in Canada (I could be wrong... I've lived here all my life so I never had to think about things like that)

I think you would need a study permit though.

There's some information there:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.html

If you're a minor (in most provinces, age of majority is 18), check this page:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/minors.html

If you're still in high school, I don't know if you would have to pay fees to go to school. I know if you're in Universtiy or College, the tuition fee is higher for non-citizens than citizens.

Originally Posted by marie-p

I don't think we have green cards in Canada (I could be wrong... I've lived here all my life so I never had to think about things like that)

I think you would need a study permit though.

There's some information there:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.html

If you're a minor (in most provinces, age of majority is 18), check this page:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/minors.html

If you're still in high school, I don't know if you would have to pay fees to go to school. I know if you're in Universtiy or College, the tuition fee is higher for non-citizens than citizens.

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well here's the plan..

I might be getting kicked out of the school i'm in now and if I do i will be going straight to canada and will attend those schools next year. I will be living with my friend if her mom allows it (If not then I will be very much SOL and will be stuck here.) If I don't get kicked out then when I finish my JR. year here I will attend my senior year in those schools.

So I'm wondering what all will I have to go through to accomplish this?

Because for personal reasons I have got to get out of this house..

If you don't have the discipline to stay in school in America, I don't recommend running to Canada. School isn't any easier here. In fact, it will be harder.

Moving to another country is not as easy as you might think. Its not like filling out some forms, paying some money and you are in. It doesnt work like that. You will have to go through a process and they might not approve you even after you pay the fees. I agree with Ryan, it will be harder in a school in a different country. And if your parents say no, then it will be a whole lot harder. I suggest buckling down in school and working hard.

I couldn't agree more. There are other considerations like who is going to support you financially? Getting serious about your education right now is your first step. I recall when you have posted in the past about being on TCS at school, etc. Not a good use of your time. If you think you are getting kicked out of your present school, I believe it's time to demonstrate that you have made some positive changes in your life and hope to reverse that decision.

Originally Posted by Kiwideus

Moving to another country is not as easy as you might think. Its not like filling out some forms, paying some money and you are in. It doesnt work like that. You will have to go through a process and they might not approve you even after you pay the fees. I agree with Ryan, it will be harder in a school in a different country. And if your parents say no, then it will be a whole lot harder. I suggest buckling down in school and working hard.

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I agree with this, but, as a semi-recent high school graduate (8 years isnt that long ago) who didn't go to public school, I'd have to say that the general public school system isn't for everyone. I got a great education and had a more pleasant experience at a private school and many of my friends who has at one point or another attended the town high school eventually moved over to the charter school in my town and were much happier there.

You might want to sit down with your school administrators and/or guidance counselors and ask them what options you have in terms of charter schools or alternative schools in your area. You may find in a more calm, smaller, more controlled environment you will blossom. I know I wouldn't have done as well in a public school. In a private school I got the attention from teachers I needed, was challenged academically, and was able to focus without the distractions of 5,000 other kids, drugs, alcohol, violence, etc.

And, last but not least, know that high school is just the beginning. By working hard now you can get into a great college that not only is academically challlenging but also has the social environment you're looking for. HIgh school was hard for me, but college was the best 4 years of my life-- or at least the most fun. And, now, I'm almost done with my masters and I never would've been able to do all this if I hadn't done well in high school. I know you don't want to hear it, but it's true!

Take advice from someone who DOES NOT like to study and has moved around from country to country.

Now im going to sound a bit weird but oh well, you either read it and listen or just make your own experience!
Youve only just turned 18, well im 19 1/2 so we are not that much appart although i have experienced things in other areas you havent yet.
BUt i guarantee you that there is alot of thinking differences from just turning 18 to someone who is nearly 20.

1. Never leave your family, Nobody and i mean literally NOBODY! on this planet is ever going to stick with you and forgive you as many mistakes you do and hurt their feelings, your parents will never leave you or just drop you.

2. Save alot of money, Do not ever think that finding a job is easy!

3. Never rely on friends or on their parents even if you grew up with them, because YOU ARE NOT THEIR CHILD. People want their own space and get pissy after a while even if its a friends daughter staying.

4.Education is not all the same in every country, I have lived in 4 countries All had different systems. You will only make it if you have the Will to achieve, no matter which school/country you are in.

I would advise you to change schools in the area you live in rather than moving to another country by your self.

I have made alot of mistakes with my education, and i regret it alot.. its too late to go back and change it.
You have to look foward and spread your mind appart.. Just because your best friend is in canada that doesnt mean you have to move there.

There is more than one road in life, you are the one that will choose the path.
Life is not easy, you will make plenty of mistakes... But please think straight before making a big decision

Very well said Fran

Can I also point out that if you're expelled from a school it will be on your permanent record and other schools will be reluctant to take you in!

Fran made some excellent points!

Originally Posted by OllyExtra05

You might want to sit down with your school administrators and/or guidance counselors and ask them what options you have in terms of charter schools or alternative schools in your area.

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As I recall, she is already in an alternative-type program.

And to you, Fran! That was a +1 fantastic post!

What ever you are going through, I am sorry that you feel that things are this desperate. Your idea that if you get kicked out of school, you will go straight to Canada, just won't happen. In order for you to be allowed to move to Canada for school, your parents have to give their permission, and your friend's parents have to sign legal guardianship, meaning that they will take legal and financial responsibility for you. Even if both sets of parents are willing to do this, it's going to take time.

I would suggest that you would be better served to fixing what's wrong at home, not "running away" like this. If you are a victim of abuse, there are places you can go for help. If you are not a victim of abuse, but don't " get along" with your parents, then you have to try and get through this difficult period in your life, and get your education, so that you have some life choices.

You are allowed to stay in Canada for up to 6 months without a permit, but you would not be allowed to work, or go to school, during those 6 months.

Well said, Fran!

I agree with the others especially Fran.
Life does not hand us stuff on a silver platter without putting some effort into it.
I know that you are attending an alternative school and if you are in a situation that is putting your education at risk do not think that a different location will make it easier for you.
I urge you to sit down with your schoold guidance counselor and express your thoughts. Are you failing classes or is it a different situation?? How can this be resolved??
A high school education is so important-you may not realize this now but later in life you will appreciate it.
You need to take a hard look at your life and decide what is important to you, what are your goals in life and how are you going to reach those goals.
Take a piece of paper and write this stuff down. It makes it more real than just saying it.
Don't forget you have friends on TCS.
Take care.

I think most people have ups and downs with thier family- but family will always be their for you.

Fran said it beautifully....

I realize your in "alternative school " now but have you checked out charter or private???

I barely survived in public school till 5th grade when I went to private and flurished till 10th grade when I went to public in a school half way accross the country..

DO you have relatives in another state>>?? I did say state not country

I agree with Fran-she sounds like a very level headed young woman with a firm grip on reality.
You didn't say much about your situation, or what was causing you to want to leave. Some months ago, I remember that you wanted to pick up & move to California.
Maybe you should think hard to yourself about why you are putting yourself in situations like this, without blaming the school systems or your parents. Maybe it's time to accept responsibility for your own actions & work at correcting them right where you are. Nobody else is going to do it for you. And if you don't learn how to do it now, it is only going to get worse.
You will be uneducated & unprepared & unemployed in a world where most people won't care about fixing your problems. Nobody is going to hand you a diploma unless you earn it. Independence is not easy..there are jobs, rent, groceries, bills, you name it. You have to learn how to deal with these things. You. Nobody else. Running away is not the answer, because your problems will follow you.
You could do 2 things..
You could decide to work hard to solve your own problems, graduate & have a chance for a decent job & a decent future, or you could refuse to accept the reality of responsibility, keep getting into trouble, fail to hold a job, risk the chance of making a real mess of your life & being even more miserable. You could put yourself in a position where you hang out with the wrong people & end up in jail!
The difference between a bad life & a good life is work. Think about it!

It's hard enough to live here now with all the favoritism crap that goes on in this house and Im tired of being left out and ignored.

The only time they seem to realize my very existance is when I screw up and even when I'm already fixing what happened they still scream at me.

I've had it with this place my general plan was to move to canada in the first place..seems like I will be arriving there sooner than expected.

That's if things go the way they are planned..otherwise I'm stuck here for that much longer which..I really don't want to happen.

at 18 you shouldnt care about favourtism...? You are an adult, go and make your own life, but with the people in your area.
My Mother treats me like an adult because she now sees me as an adult..
And so does my dad, You have to make something out of your self to prove to them you are getting older and wiser and that you arent going to tolerate their screaming..
But if you act like a teenager, then they will never see you as a mature woman

Fran's right. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but my impression is that you don't act your actual age, and you're choosing to "escape" rather than to face up to reality. Legally, you're an adult, so it's time that you act like one, and stop blaming everybody else for your dissatisfaction with your current situation. You need to get your high school diploma, get a driver's license and car, and start earning enough money to support yourself and any pets you have. Life really doesn't owe you anything. The outmoded expressions are, "Get real! Get a life!" You can hang around here and complain until everybody starts getting sick of your self-pity, or you can show some motivation and change what you're unhappy about. It's your choice, and it's about time that you decide. I'm telling you this for your own good.

Originally Posted by fwan

at 18 you shouldnt care about favourtism...? You are an adult, go and make your own life, but with the people in your area.
My Mother treats me like an adult because she now sees me as an adult..
And so does my dad, You have to make something out of your self to prove to them you are getting older and wiser

and that you arent going to tolerate their screaming..
But if you act like a teenager, then they will never see you as a mature woman

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Great post!
And the sooner, the harder you work for your own independence, the better. That way you can live on your own & not have to rely on anyone helping you.
Family can be a blessing or a curse, depending on who you ask so it is always good knowing that you are able to stand on your own & make your own decisions. If you always count on others to make your life a better one, you'll often be let down...that has to come from within. Do better for yourself & you'll see how much better you'll feel about yourself, & life in general. In the whole scheme of things, how you feel about yourself is what matters the most. It affects how you present yourself to the world, & how people see you, & treat you.
If you act like a troublemaker to get attention, you will be labeled as one, & in some strange cycle, you will come to believe that you truly are one, & keep acting like that, even in your adult life further on down the road, which can lead to serious consequences. Why not use all of that energy to do something better for you? Believe me, it's alot harder to change your life later on than it is now. So forget about other people for right now & work on what you can do to improve your situation where you are.