From Shanghai white-collar to Canada: There is a gap but no regrets.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, many Chinese people feel more disappointed and have the idea of “running” abroad. A Shanghai white-collar worker who left his high-paying job to move to Canada said that the difference was significant from what he expected, but he has no regrets as life has become more fulfilling.

According to Central News Agency, a man from Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, known as Xiao Wu, had studied and worked in Shanghai for 15 years. He started from telemarketing and, before being laid off due to the pandemic, he was working in a company related to artificial intelligence (AI) with a monthly salary of 27,000 yuan, equivalent to a 15-month annual salary.

In his mind, Shanghai was the best city in China. However, in 2022, after the two-month lockdown due to the pandemic (some communities even experienced lockdowns for three months), Shanghai had taken a nosedive in his perception.

The experience of the lockdown was the catalyst for Xiao Wu to consider going abroad. In March 2023, after three months of job hunting, he felt that the job market in China was not as good as before. After applying to over 30 companies, only one state-owned enterprise responded with a monthly salary of about 20,000 yuan including benefits. He decided to save money to leave China, with a target of 500,000 yuan.

Xiao Wu put his plan to go abroad into action. In the second half of 2023, he began researching information about schools online. In early 2024, he enrolled in an IELTS preparatory course at a cram school. After taking the IELTS exam in July, he sought help from agents, got the school admission permit in September, submitted his resignation in late October, and arrived in Canada in late December. He started his classes in January 2025.

Xiao Wu caught the last wave of relaxed immigration policies in Canada. His student visa obtained last year also came with a work permit for three years after graduation, laying the foundation for long-term stay abroad.

Regarding the living environment in Canada compared to Shanghai, Xiao Wu said he felt a “significant difference.” His first impression was that it was a bit cold and less convenient, with limited options at small supermarkets. The dormitory could be described as sparsely furnished and dimly lit.

Before going abroad, he would spend 70 to 80 yuan on premium coffee without frowning. Now, he has to be frugal with money and can no longer provide financial support to his family back home. When shopping at the supermarket, he always checks prices first, with “price taking precedence.”

Xiao Wu was 36 years old when he moved abroad, starting anew in a foreign land in middle age.

As for regrets about the decision to go abroad, Xiao Wu said he rarely regrets it. As the course progresses, life also becomes more fulfilling.

He mentioned that unlike some people who have properties back home, he has put everything into this move and will push himself to survive overseas no matter what.