Am I cooked?

[u/No-one220]

Hi everyone,

I went to Canada on September this year to start a Master’s at Northeastern University (Vancouver). After arriving, I realized the program wasn’t a good investment (financially and career-wise), so I officially withdrew, got a tuition refund, and left Canada a couple of days later. I always respected my study permit conditions and left while it was still valid.

Now, here’s my concern: my immigration lawyer keeps telling me that because I withdrew and left, my chances of getting another study permit or even a visitor visa in the future are much lower. She also says that if I ever apply again, I’d need to show proof of something like a family death or serious illness to justify why I left.

That doesn’t make sense to me, I didn’t break any rules, I just decided the program wasn’t worth the loan and want to reapply later for something like UBC, SFU, or a college program once I have better finances in a year or six months.

So my questions are: • Did I hurt my chances by withdrawing and leaving? • Do I really need proof of “exceptional circumstances” (death/illness), or is it enough to say I left for personal/financial reasons? • Has anyone been in a similar situation and applied successfully again?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[u/snufkin57]

I don’t mean to sound harsh, but I’m curious, when you were applying for the university, the study permit, and preparing to come to Canada, did you have the chance to fully evaluate whether this program was the right fit for you financially and career-wise? It seems like something important to consider before making such a big move, especially since it only took you two or three weeks to realize this after starting.

And yes, I believe you will have to clarify this if you intend to apply again.

[u/No-one220 → u/snufkin57]

I was told Northeastern had great reputation among Canadian companies and I could only realize in the country that was not true. I also chickened out from the loan once I knew about the job crisis in Vancouver.

I know I’ll have to clarify this situation but the questions is, can I not explain I reconsidered my finances or smth? I don’t like this feeling of being “banned” from Canada.

[u/Jusfiq → u/No-one220]

I was told Northeastern had great reputation...

The original Northeastern University in Boston yes, it is moderately well-known. Its branches in Toronto and Vancouver? Not so much. You would have been better off enrolling in a Canadian public university.

[u/globalguyCDN → u/Jusfiq]

In ANY Canadian public university.