Meghan, from Quebec to Europe: how two WHVs changed her life

I’m from a small town on the North Shore in Quebec, and I’ve always wanted to explore the world, especially to live abroad. In school, I was pretty quiet, a slow-flowing but powerful river that wasn’t easy to stop, as one of my high school teachers used to say.

I went on to study communications at university. At the end of my program, I left everything behind and headed solo to Europe. That three-month stay truly changed everything.

Today, I live in Rudná (near Prague) in the Czech Republic.

I left for France in August 2022 with my France Working Holiday Visa in hand. When I arrived, I was 23, with no apartment and no job – just a backpack. I settled in Lille in northern France, to be close to my favourite city, Brussels, where I had lived earlier in 2022.

At the end of my WHV, I obtained an APS to stay another year. I think that year was my favourite: I had a job that let me work from anywhere, I travelled, stepped out of my comfort zone, and most importantly, met people I’ll never forget.

When my APS expired, I stayed in France a few more months while waiting for a new residence permit, but then I completely changed plans. I finally left France in January 2025, which, surprisingly, was heartbreaking. Two years doesn’t seem like much, but it’s enough to build a whole life and put down roots. Thankfully, I had other plans that kept me motivated. As they say, don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.

In May 2024, I travelled to Albania and the island of Corfu with a friend. Long story short, I met a Czech guy in Paleokastritsa. I went back to France and we kept in touch. There were just too many signs, so I suggested visiting him. As fate would have it, we ended up falling in love.

I went back to see him several times and he visited me too. At the same time, I was job hunting and by pure chance, came across a job posting in Prague that was looking for a native French speaker. So out of curiosity, I started searching for more French-speaking opportunities in Prague. There were tons.

Yes, that Czech man – now my boyfriend – was the reason, but the job opportunities also played a big role in my decision.

“Czechia” is simply a shorter version of “the Czech Republic”. Some Czechs don’t like “Czechia” for its Eastern Europe connotations, but both are used.

In French, I still say “République tchèque” out of habit, and in English I say “Czechia” for simplicity.

It might surprise people, but it’s much simpler than for France.

In my case, it was a bit of a race against the clock, but I managed to do everything remotely since the embassy is in Ottawa (my family lives in Quebec). First, I had to renew my passport because it was expiring in December 2025 and it needed to be valid for three months after the end of the Czech visa. I arrived in Quebec on January 20 and went to Chicoutimi the next day to renew it. My return flight to Paris was April 1, and the embassy can take up to 60 days to process the application, so you can imagine my stress. Still, I felt confident.

Meanwhile, I filled out the form in Czech (thanks to my boyfriend for translating), signed a document confirming I’d get insurance, provided a passport photo, and sent a cheque for the consular fees (around $100, if I remember correctly).

Once I got my passport back a week later, I mailed everything to the Czech embassy.

In early March, I received an email confirming my application was approved and that my passport would be returned. I also got a letter confirming my right to work in the Czech Republic, which I would be able to show to Czech employers. I wish France had done this for me too, it would have been very useful!

I went with Globe WHV simply because it’s straightforward and reasonably priced. With that insurance, you’re covered for everything and don’t have to overthink it. Moving abroad is stressful enough as it is.

One key detail: for the Czech Working Holiday Visa, you don’t need insurance when applying. You just have to sign a document committing to getting insurance later.

Also worth noting: when Canadians arrive in the Czech Republic, they have three working days to register with local immigration. That’s when proof of insurance is required.

Every day feels memorable when you live so close to Prague! Jokes aside, I mostly work (in French) but the country has so much to offer.

I’ve explored different sides of Prague and took a van trip through western Czechia with my boyfriend over a long weekend. I’ve also done a lot of hiking and visited plenty of castles. The country is full of beautiful nature spots.

I skated on a frozen lake for the first time, did cross-country skiing, road cycling, and more. Czech people are very active, so you have to keep up.

Travel-wise, we went sailing in Croatia and spent a few days in Denmark. I also checked off a small bucket list item: alpine skiing in Europe, in Kaprun, Austria.

Czechs have many traditions so it’s been a year full of cultural discoveries. Adapting to a new country takes time, so I know there’s still a lot for me to explore. And I’ve got a long list of places to visit.

I often tell my boyfriend that I don’t know how I would have managed without him, especially for paperwork. I really admire people who move here solo.

It can be challenging. Older generations, even those of our parents’ age, usually don’t speak English. Among younger people, some are eager to speak English, others are too shy. It’s a bit funny since I’m not a native English speaker myself either, so it’s actually similar to Quebec in that way.

There are also a lot of French and Québécois in Prague. At work, I’m part of a French team, so I speak my native language daily, even though I also use a lot of English. That’s helped me build a social circle.

Overall, you can get by without Czech, but learning the basics is important out of respect. I now understand some words, can follow certain conversations, and manage basic interactions.

I find that Canada has more similarities with the Czech Republic than with France, especially when it comes to hockey culture.

In some ways, being Québécoise here is easier. In France, people often commented on my accent, constantly reminding me I was a foreigner. In the Czech Republic, since I speak English, no one really comments. If I start with “Dobrý den,” people just continue in Czech without questioning it.

Instead of talking about my accent, people ask things like, “Do you watch hockey?” or “Do you like living here?” That contrast makes me smile. It reflects a different way of approaching foreigners.

Overall, I’ve noticed many cultural differences, but none have really shocked me. My time in France also helped me adapt more quickly. Today, I feel like a mix of Québécois, French, and Czech cultures.

Yes, and without leaving the country.

I got an Employee Card valid for two years (renewable). I’m not tied to one employer; I can change jobs as long as I report it within 60 days (otherwise, it can lead to deportation).

The Czech job market has been open to Canadians since July 2024, which makes things easier.

I could also have applied for a “private life” residence card. In Czechia, you don’t need to be married to apply.

After five years here, I’ll be able to apply for permanent residency.

That I’m brave. People who move abroad often downplay that, because it’s a choice, not a necessity, but it still takes courage.

I’ve also realized how adaptable I am. I speak French all day, hear Czech on my commute, and switch to English at home. And when I’m with other Québécois, I get to reconnect with my original accent, even if it’s now mixed with European French expressions.

The 22-year-old version of me, in Brussels with a backpack and limited English, would be very proud of how far I’ve come.

I want to keep building my life in the Czech Republic, grow professionally, travel, try new things, and keep learning Czech (which isn’t easy!).

Travel-wise, we’re going to Quebec this summer for two weeks. It will be my boyfriend’s first time there.

I think this will be my last working holiday… but you never know. Two years ago, I would’ve never imagined meeting a Czech guy in Greece and moving here. That’s the beauty of life – it is unpredictable.