Meï has been doing ballet since she was 10 years old. She danced her way across France, from Vienne to Chalon-sur-Saône and Lyon to Avignon. But still she wanted to broaden her horizons. That's how she got the idea to study abroad, in Quebec. "It's good for artists to travel and study abroad. It shows that you're mobile,” she says. This is the story of how she settled in and all the people who helped along the way.
Making the big move
At first, Meï thought she would go to Montreal, where she could soak up the local culture and improve her English. But the pandemic hampered the immigration process and slowed down her admission to school. It was frustrating, but there was a silver lining in Quebec City. Meï ended up getting accepted to L'École de danse de Québec, which is renowned for the classical ballet training she wanted. She moved into a cute apartment in the Upper Town, and quickly fell in love with one of North America's oldest cities. Meï was fascinated by the history of Old Quebec, which reminded her of "little France."
Putting down roots
Meï has been busy since day one. She dances Monday to Friday, teaches on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and works in a coffee shop from Friday to Sunday. Having a part-time job is a good way for Meï to meet different people and make friends outside the dance studio.
"Quebecers are known around the world as welcoming, happy people with a good sense of humour. I wanted to get to know them."
She also spends a lot of time exercising to stay in shape. That means miles and miles of running to strengthen her cardiovascular system. Despite her hectic schedule, Meï has managed to do a solo number at the Festival de danse contemporain de Sherbrooke and perform in La Pomme de discorde, which was choreographed by Héloïse Le Bagousse.
Help every step of the way
We're here to help you make yourself at home. And that goes beyond your bank account. We provide support and advice all along the way to help you settle in. We'll show you how credit and debit cards work, look at your insurance needs and go over the different expenses to expect.
> Preparing to live in Canada This link will open in a new window.
Listening to yourself
They say dance is a universal language, but every country has its own unique style. In France, the focus is on technique, accuracy and body position. Meï was pleasantly surprised that her training in Quebec paid a lot of attention to emotion. She was encouraged to express her feelings through her movements.
"In Canada, we rely more on our feelings and really listen to ourselves. We're trained as artists rather than technicians."
Good advice helps
When the time came for Meï to choose a financial institution, Desjardins came highly recommended from a friend in Montreal. Meï booked an appointment at a Desjardins caisse, where an advisor explained everything she needed to know and gave tips to help her build solid financial habits.
"Opening my account was so easy. I love how I can do everything on the AccèsD app, rather than juggling a bunch of different ones."
Hot tip: Open your account online
Between moving into your new place, checking out local businesses and exploring your new surroundings, there's no doubt your first few weeks in Quebec will be busy! Save precious time by applying for a Desjardins account online before you arrive.
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Meï is in the last year of her studies and sees a bright future ahead. She's happy in Quebec City, loves teaching there and has research opportunities to further develop her art.