Born in Martinique and having travelled throughout Europe and Asia as a consultant, Christophe was eager for adventure. His curiosity led him to Canada, where he felt drawn to the vast territories and the wilderness. It’s ultimately a whole other lifestyle that appealed to him and kept him in Montreal.
The outdoors is calling
While he was studying in Bordeaux, Christophe used to ski in the Alps and Pyrenees. It’s this type of scenery that attracted him to Canada: this idealized vision of immense untouched land. All these fields, valleys and mountains. His first winter was a showstopper: he felt the season was more intense there than in southwestern France, where January temperatures were close to 10 °C to 15 °C. He was impressed by the abundance of natural resources.
Life outside of work
In addition to his 3 days in the office and 2 days teleworking, Christophe’s schedule is packed with the gym, swimming, the Gospel choir … he also bikes to festivals and concerts or just strolls around Parc Jean-Drapeau
I like this lifestyle, in which your week doesn’t seem like a chore. You can do something other than just work.
Being somewhat hedonistic, he is used to patios, fine restaurants and bars where mixology is prized. He likes to constantly discover new and trendy places … especially if plants are on display!
Tip: save on service charges
With so many things to see and do in their host country, Desjardins welcomes newcomers by offering a regular account with a free monthly plan and unlimited transactions1.
From comparison to integration
When he arrived in Quebec, Christophe expected easy integration. That’s not quite how it went. He’s faced the same challenges as many Europeans when they first arrive in his native Martinique. The natural tendency is to compare the local situation to that of your old home. To surround yourself with familiar social codes. By letting go of his French traditions and getting closer to more people here, Christophe has been integrating himself into the community and fully embracing what Quebec has to offer.
If I’d met more people who had been living here for a long time earlier, I would’ve saved time. When you stop comparing and spend time with more Quebecers, you start to understand.
Adapting to the North American reality
A lot of things are very different in North America than they are in Europe, such as architecture, history, culture, the price of goods and services and the lifestyle. In deciding where to invest his money, Christophe turned to Desjardins, grateful for the same cooperative foundations as the French financial institution he grew up with. By some happy coincidence, his Desjardins advisor is also from another country and helps him learn about a new financial reality and an equally unfamiliar banking system.
Tip: Use credit responsibly
Credit is an important part of the North American way of life: helping you develop your credit history to show you can meet your financial commitments. Use it responsibly to carry out projects that are important to you without harming your financial situation.
“I feel really good about this lifestyle,” he admits. Between his challenging career, his growing circle of friends from Quebec and the city’s excitement, he has now fully embraced Montreal and Quebec as his home by becoming a permanent resident.
Notes
1.The fee waiver only applies to the unlimited plan for a single member folio (individual or joint account).