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Bibek Poudel had a very detailed plan for succeeding in Canada. He would graduate from college, then work to gain experience in his IT field, setting himself up as a digital nomad—someone who could get a job and support himself basically anywhere, at any time.

Then his luck ran out. On March 1st Bibek flew back to Nepal after five years, without getting permanent residency (PR). But in today's episode he tells me that is not an entirely bad development, and that he has another detailed plan to return.

Unlike Aayush Pokharel, who we talked to in our last episode, Bibek hit significant delays on his journey to PR status. He graduated, but had to strengthen a few specific skills before he could start a job. Then he had to wait to apply for an opening in the IT workstream that would lead to his PR until his employer had been given the green light. 

By the time that approval came, the Ontario government decided it no longer needed skilled IT workers and Bibek had to shift to a category that requires more points to qualify than he had. 

Eventually he just ran out of time.

Both Bibek and Aayush were well entrenched in Canada when the federal government started shutting the door to international students a couple of years ago. They had, and still have, good opportunities to succeed. 

But many other students are likely to cross Canada off of their list of countries to study in. I've been hearing that Australia is again a preferred destination. It's closer to Nepal and has a huge Nepali diaspora.

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Music by audionautix.com.

Nepal Now is produced and hosted by Marty Logan.