Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, as second generation immigrants, the expectation was that all children would obtain a bachelor’s degree at minimum and only from the top schools in the country. The provincial government makes it very easy to obtain educational loans (almost everyone wanting to pursue higher education is approved) and interest does not start calculating until six months after graduation. I lived close to campus and was able to live at home for free and save any earnings I made. I worked throughout the school year and full-time hours during the summer months. My annual tuition was fairly low (average is $6,000 based on program) and I was able to earn enough to pay for all school related costs throughout the year and made a lump sum loan payment on graduation date, thereby paying $0 in interest. If I could do it again, I would have invested the savings and made the lump sum payment just before the six-month grace period ended, but the feeling of being debt free felt as good as the graduation.

