Moving from Taipei to Toronto was a life-changing decision for my family and me. Although I had spent 13 years in Montreal as a child, returning to Canada after 24 years in Taiwan felt like stepping into the unknown. This time, it wasn’t just me—it was my wife and our 14-year-old son, and we had just 20 days to settle everything before the school year started. The pressure was immense, but through resilience, hope, and a bit of luck, we made it happen. Here’s a look at how we navigated finding a school, securing a rental home, buying a car, getting a driver’s license, and adjusting to life in Toronto—all within 20 days—and the key lessons we learned along the way.
搬家從台北到多倫多對我們一家來說是個改變人生的決定。儘管我小時候在蒙特利爾住了13年，但在台灣生活了24年後，帶著妻子和14歲的兒子重返加拿大，這感覺像是走進未知的領域。這次不僅僅是我自己，而是我們全家，並且我們只有20天的時間來完成一切，為兒子的學年開學做好準備。壓力巨大，但通過堅韌、希望和一些幸運，我們成功了。以下是我們如何在20天內找到學校、租房、購車、更換駕照並適應多倫多生活的過程，以及我們一路上學到的關鍵經驗。
(Arriving at Toronto airport at 2024/08/19 11:15 PM, picking up our 6 large suitcases and waiting with our dog for customs inspection.)
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Our 20-Day Impossible Journey: 5 Challenges That Tested Our Beliefs and Perseverance
我們的20天不可能旅程：五大挑戰，考驗了我們的信念與毅力
(1) Finding a School: Adopting a New Communication with "Yes & No" / 尋找學校：接受全新的"是和不是"的溝通模式。(2nd Day in Canada / 加拿大第2天)
(top 30 secondary school out of 700 some Ontario school)
Our first priority was finding the right school for our son. In Taiwan, the process is relatively straightforward—you simply provide proof of residence, and for some schools, you must have lived in the area for several years. However, the admission process in Toronto, particularly with the York School Board, was a whole new experience for us.
我們的首要任務是為兒子找到合適的學校。在台灣，入學過程相對簡單——只需提供住所證明，某些學校甚至要求您在該地區居住幾年。然而，在多倫多的約克學校教育局的入學過程對我們來說完全是一種全新的體驗。
Since my son was entering Grade 9, the stakes were high. Due to an influx of Canadian families returning from overseas, many schools were already at capacity. We were told to contact schools directly to secure a spot. The pressure was mounting. In Taiwan, I would’ve simply gone to the school office, filled out some forms, and waited. But here, we had to navigate multiple steps, including English proficiency exams and placement tests, all while juggling the uncertainty of whether our son would be admitted.
由於兒子即將進入九年級，情況非常緊急。由於大量加拿大家庭從海外回流，許多學校已經人滿為患。我們被告知要直接聯繫學校才能確保入學名額。壓力越來越大。在台灣，我只需要去學校辦公室，填寫一些表格，然後等待消息。然而，在這裡，我們不得不面對多個步驟，包括英語能力測試和分級考試，同時還要應對兒子是否能順利入學的不確定性。
(Morning walk to the school for an admission meeting, 3 days before the official start of school.)
During our second day in Canada, we learned an important lesson about communication. When we met with the school’s administration staff, hoping to understand if there was space for newcomers, the staff asked if we had secured a residence within the school boundary. We answered vaguely, “maybe likely will,” thinking we would confirm once the school spot was available. The response we received was firm: “It is either YES or NO, there is no ‘maybe.”
This was a wake-up call for me, reminding me of the logic and clarity I had learned during my schooling in Canada 37 years ago. I quickly apologized and adjusted my answer: “No, as of today we don’t, but within the next 3 days we will.” Once we provided a clear response, the staff fully understood our situation and proceeded with helping us. This lesson on communication helped us adopt a more direct approach in Canada, where clarity is crucial, unlike the ambiguity that might be acceptable in Asia.
在我們到達加拿大的第二天，我們學到了關於溝通的重要一課。當我們與學校管理人員會面，希望了解是否還有空間接收新生時，工作人員問我們是否已經在學區內租房或購房。我們模糊地回答“可能會”，以為等確認學校有名額後再決定房子。然而，我們收到的答覆非常堅決：“答案要麼是‘是’，要麼是‘不是’，沒有‘可能’。”
這讓我想起37年前在加拿大求學時所學到的邏輯和清晰性。我迅速道歉並調整了回答：“今天還沒有，但我們會在接下來的三天內解決。” 一旦我們提供了明確的答覆，學校就完全理解了我們的情況，並開始協助我們。這次溝通上的學習幫助我們在加拿大採取更直接的方式，在這裡，清晰至關重要，不像亞洲的模糊回應有時會被接受。
(2) Securing a Rental Home: How to Sign in 8 Hours When Facing Landlord Advantage / 找到租房：如何在八小時內，面對房東優勢。完成租約條件。(5 days in Canada / 加拿大第5天)
(Found a rental home just a 15-minute walk from school, in a great neighborhood)
Finding a rental home in Taiwan is a relatively straightforward process. You find a listing, contact the landlord, and if you meet their criteria, you’re good to go. In Toronto, however, things were much more complicated. The rental market was highly competitive due to rising interest rates, which meant more people were renting instead of buying homes. It wasn’t just about finding the right place anymore—it became a race to outbid other potential renters.
在台灣，租房過程相對簡單。找到房源，聯繫房東，如果符合他們的要求，你基本上就能租到房子。然而，在多倫多，情況要複雜得多。由於利率上升，更多的人選擇租房而不是買房，這使得租房市場競爭激烈。這不僅僅是找到合適的房子，而是與其他潛在租客競爭出價。
One of the most stressful moments came after visiting 10 properties in just two days, all of which we were rejected for. My wife and son were growing increasingly anxious—what if we couldn’t find a place in time? What if the school admission depended on it? I remember that overwhelming sense of urgency, where every hour seemed to matter. But then, on the fourth day, we found a property that seemed perfect. We made our offer and waited. The negotiation process was intense—our real estate agent went back and forth with the landlord five times in less than eight hours. Finally, we secured the rental with a six-month prepayment, an additional deposit for our dog, and even my LinkedIn profile and teaching credentials as added proof of our reliability.
最壓力的一刻是在兩天內參觀了十個房源後，所有申請都被拒絕了。我妻子和兒子的焦慮越來越強烈——如果我們無法及時找到房子怎麼辦？如果學校入學依賴於此怎麼辦？我還記得那種壓倒性的緊迫感，每個小時似乎都至關重要。然而，在第四天，我們終於找到了看似完美的房子。我們提出了報價，然後等待。談判過程非常緊張——我們的房地產經紀人在不到八小時內與房東來回協商了五次。最終，我們以六個月的預付款、額外的寵物押金以及我的LinkedIn資料和教學資歷作為誠意，成功租下了房子。
(On the third day after securing our rental unit, the furniture retailer's truck arrived for delivery.)
That mid-night at 2am, as we sat down to have late dinner, the relief in the air was palpable. My son finally relaxed, and my wife smiled for the first time in days. It was a small victory, but in that moment, it felt like we had conquered a mountain.
那天凌晨2點，我們終於坐下來吃晚餐時，空氣中的鬆了一口氣。我的兒子終於放鬆了，我的妻子也在幾天來第一次露出笑容。這是一個小小的勝利，但在那一刻，我們感覺自己像是征服了一座山。
(3) Car Purchase: A Seller-Driven Market with Surprise / 購車：一個賣方主導的市場，充滿了驚喜。(20 Days in Canada / 加拿大第20天)
Buying a car in Taiwan is usually a quick and painless process. You pick a model, test drive it, and make your purchase within a few days. In Toronto, however, due to the global chip shortage, the car buying experience was completely different. Popular models, like the Toyota SUV, had wait times of up to two months. If we wanted a car quickly, we had to be flexible—sometimes accepting a canceled order or a color and spec we didn’t initially want.
在台灣，購買汽車通常是一個快速且輕鬆的過程。你選擇一個車型，試駕，幾天內就可以購買。然而，由於全球芯片短缺，多倫多的購車經驗完全不同。像豐田SUV這樣的熱門車型需要等待兩個月。如果我們想快速買車，就必須靈活應對——有時需要接受取消的訂單或我們最初不想要的顏色和規格。
Over the course of five days, my good friend Mark, who had been my guide through many of these new challenges, drove me to six different card brand and dealerships. Some of time, I found the same aggressive sales tactics: extended warranties, unnecessary services, and loans we didn’t need. It felt nothing like the customer-focused Japanese car dealerships I remembered. But then, on the fifth day, we stumbled upon a Nissan dealership. To my surprise, the service was exceptional—reminiscent of the Japanese standards I had hoped for.
在五天的時間裡，我的好朋友Mark帶我參觀了六家不同的品牌及經銷商。他在這些挑戰中一直是我的向導。常會遇到相同的銷售策略：延長保修、不必要的服務和我們不需要的貸款。這一切與我記憶中的日本汽車經銷商完全不同。然而，在第五天，我們偶然發現了一家外國人經營的Nissan經銷商。令我驚訝的是，服務非常出色，讓我想起了我所希望的日本標準。
(excited to pick up our new car at the Nissan Avenue Dealership! Big thank you to my mother)
We ended up purchasing a 2024 Nissan Rogue (X-Trail), and for the first time in days, I felt like things were finally falling into place. The sales manager even followed up with us after the purchase to ensure everything was going smoothly. It wasn’t just about the car—it was about finding a company that treated us with respect and care, even during difficult times.
我們最終購買了一輛日產Rogue（X-Trail），這是幾天來我第一次感覺事情終於落到實處。銷售經理甚至在購車後跟進我們，確保一切順利。這不僅僅是關於汽車的問題，還是找到一家在困難時期也能尊重和關心我們的公司。
(4) Changing a Taiwanese License to a Canadian Ontario One: A Miracle of Timing / 台灣加拿大安大略省駕照更換：一個幸運的時機。(18 Days in Canada / 加拿大第18天)
(Province of Ontario's official driving exchange and license test center)
One of the biggest mistakes I made was not knowing that in Ontario, you can’t purchase a car without a local driver’s license. I assumed that an international driver’s license would be enough, but I soon realized that I also needed to provide a zero-incident certificate from Taiwan in order to proceed with license exchange. Unfortunately, I had not applied for it before we left Taiwan. In a race against time, I quickly arranged for the certificate to be sent to Canada via FedEx, but this caused a lot of delays.
我犯的最大錯誤之一是沒有意識到，在安大略省，如果沒有當地的駕照，你無法購車。我以為國際駕照足夠了，但很快意識到還需要提供台灣的無事故證明來完成換駕照的程序。不幸的是，我在離開台灣前沒有申請這個證明。於是，我趕緊安排通過FedEx將證明寄到加拿大，這導致了很多延誤。
When the certificate finally arrived, my wife and I took an Uber to a location where we could change the license. On the way, the Uber driver told us not to get frustrated—he had been to three different locations trying to get his own license sorted. His warning was valuable, as we were denied at our first stop. The first location didn’t allow walk-ins and required an appointment, but booking one would have taken three weeks! With only four days left before I had to return to Taiwan, we couldn’t wait that long.
證書終於到達後，我和妻子搭乘Uber到了一個可以更換駕照的地點。在路上，Uber司機告訴我們不要感到沮喪——他曾經去過三個不同的地點，試圖解決自己的駕照問題。他的提醒很寶貴，因為我們在第一個地點被拒絕了。這個地點不接受無預約現場排隊的服務，而預約會花上三週的時間！距我必須返回台灣只有四天，我們時間更本會來不急。
As we ate dinner, scrolling through available appointment slots on our phones, a miracle happened. A slot opened up at a location 30 minutes away for the very next day! We quickly booked it, and the next afternoon, we nervously went to the office. Based on what we’d heard, there was some uncertainty as to whether my wife, traveling on a tourist visa, would be allowed to change her license. But we were lucky—two kind ladies at the office walked us through every step, despite our fatigue and nerves. In less than 30 minutes, my wife’s Taiwanese license was exchanged for an Ontario license, and we could now officially purchase the car.
就在我們吃晚餐時，手機上突然出現了一個奇蹟。距離我們30分鐘路程的一個地點出現了第二天的預約名額！我們迅速預約了，隔天下午，我們緊張地來到了第二間監理所。根據我們聽到的消息，我妻子持旅遊簽證是否能更換駕照還有些不確定。但我們很幸運——辦公室裡的兩位親切的女士引導我們完成了每一個步驟，儘管我們疲憊且緊張。在不到30分鐘的時間裡，我妻子的台灣駕照被成功更換為安大略省駕照，我們現在終於可以正式購車了。
5. Final School Admission: More Than Just Filling Out Form / 最終學校入學：不只是填寫表個。(10 Days in Canada / 加拿大第10天)
Completing our son’s school admission process in less than 10 days felt like a miracle. While in Taiwan, school admissions are primarily about paperwork and proof of residence, the York School Board took a much more holistic approach. They cared not only about academic performance but also about the student’s well-being.
在不到十天內完成兒子的入學過程，真的是一個奇蹟。在台灣，學校入學主要是關於文書工作和住所證明，而約克學校教育局則採取了更全面的方式。他們不僅關心學業成績，還關心學生的身心健康。
During the third and final visit, a guidance counselor was assigned to help new students not only with course selection but also to collaborate with the ESL teacher’s feedback in creating a course timetable that best suited the student’s condition and proactiveness. The goal was to balance the time spent between ESL classes and regular English-taught classes to assist the student in transitioning to full English-taught courses within 1 to 2 years.
Additionally, another important role of the guidance counselor was to ensure the child’s safety at both home and school, as Canadian schools truly prioritize student safety and emotional well-being. It wasn’t just about getting grades; it was about providing each student with a safe and supportive environment to thrive, preventing issues like bullying, home abuse, and drug addiction.
在第三次也是最後一次的拜訪中，學校分派了一位輔導老師來協助新生，不僅是幫助選課，還會與ESL老師的反饋合作，為學生創建最適合其狀況和積極度的課程時間表。這樣做的目的是平衡ESL課程與普通英語授課課程之間的時間分配，幫助學生在1至2年內逐步過渡到像正規課程一樣的全英文授課。此外，輔導老師的另一個重要任務是確保孩子在家裡和學校的安全，因為加拿大的學校非常重視學生的安全和情感福祉。這不僅僅是關於成績，而是要確保每個學生都有一個安全且支持性的環境來茁壯成長，以防止校園霸凌、家庭虐待和毒品問題。
To complete the final session, my son prepared a three-minute self-presentation. He spoke about his background, his dreams, and why he wanted to be part of the school. I remember watching him rehearse—his voice wavered slightly, a mix of excitement and nervousness. It was a proud moment for us as parents. Here he was, taking charge of his future, speaking in a second language, and putting himself out there. When we met the deputy principal and guidance counselor, they were impressed by his preparedness and maturity. That moment alone gave us hope.
在最後一次會議中，我兒子準備了一段三分鐘的自我介紹。他談到了自己的背景、夢想以及為何想成為學校的一員。我記得看著他排練時，聽著他那略帶激動與緊張的聲音，這對我們父母來說是個驕傲的時刻。他勇敢地掌控著自己的未來，用第二語言表達自己，展現自信。當我們見到副校長和輔導老師時，他們對他的準備和成熟度印象深刻。這一刻，讓我們充滿了希望。
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Top 6 Lessons Learned: What It Takes To Achieve The Impossible / 學到的六大教訓: 完成不可能的關鍵
Stay Focused on the Desired State / 專注於期望狀態
Why it’s critical / 為何重要：
During any life-changing event, it’s easy to get distracted or feel overwhelmed by challenges. Staying focused on what you want to achieve helps you keep your eye on the bigger picture, allowing you to stay motivated and navigate obstacles with more clarity.
在任何改變生活的事件中，很容易被挑戰分散注意力或感到不知所措。專注於你想要達成的目標，可以讓你專注於大局，幫助你保持動力，並更清晰地應對障礙。
Example / 舉例：
Be Flexible and Open to Adjustments / 保持靈活，接受調整
Why it’s critical / 為何重要：
Life changes rarely go as planned. Flexibility allows you to adapt quickly to new circumstances and find alternative solutions when things don’t go as expected
生活中的變化很少按計劃進行。靈活性使您能夠快速適應新環境，並在事情不如預期時找到替代方案。這可以防止挫折感，並讓您繼續前進。
Example / 舉例：
Build a Support System Early On / 及早建立支持系統
Why it’s critical / 為何重要：
Having a reliable support system—whether it’s friends, family, or professionals—can significantly reduce stress. Knowing that you have people to turn to for guidance or emotional support makes the process more manageable and less overwhelming.
擁有一個可靠的支持系統——無論是朋友、家人還是專業人士——可以顯著減少壓力。知道您有可以依靠的人來提供指導或情感支持，使過程更容易管理，不會讓壓力壓垮你。
Example / 舉例：
Don’t Let Emotions Drive Decisions / 不要讓情緒左右決策
Why it’s critical / 為何重要：
In high-pressure situations, emotions can cloud judgment. Making decisions based on logic and long-term goals instead of short-term emotional reactions helps ensure better outcomes. It’s important to remain calm and think through the long-term effects of any action before moving forward.
在高壓情況下，情緒很容易讓人失去理智。根據邏輯和長期目標做出決策，而不是基於短期的情緒反應，能夠幫助確保更好的結果。保持冷靜，並在行動之前考慮長期影響是非常重要的。
Example / 舉例：
Prepare Thoroughly / 充分準備
Why it’s critical / 為何重要：
Proper preparation can mitigate the unknowns and give you a clearer path forward. Whether it’s arranging necessary documents, understanding local laws, or practicing for an interview, thorough preparation builds confidence and increases the likelihood of success.
適當的準備可以減少未知數，並為您提供更明確的前進方向。無論是準備必要的文件，了解當地法律，還是為面試做準備，充分的準備都能增加信心，提高成功的可能性。
Example / 舉例：
Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst / 為最好的結果祈禱，為最壞的情況做好準備
Why it’s critical / 為何重要：
Maintaining optimism is important for staying motivated, but being prepared for setbacks ensures that you can handle unexpected challenges without being blindsided. This balance between optimism and realism is essential in any life-changing process.
保持樂觀對於保持動力至關重要，但為挫折做好準備可以確保您能夠應對意外挑戰，而不會措手不及。這種在樂觀與現實之間的平衡是任何改變生活的過程中必不可少的。
Example / 舉例：
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