The journey to Canada for one individual was marked by a series of significant setbacks and persistent challenges, beginning with the highly competitive IELTS examination. The initial attempt to write the exam was thwarted by being a few minutes late, resulting in a closed door and a missed opportunity. This incident served as the first of many hurdles encountered on the path to immigration, highlighting the unforgiving nature of the process.

Between September 2018 and February 2020, the individual undertook the IELTS exam an astonishing seven times. The Canadian Express Entry pool demands near-perfect scores to maintain competitiveness, and at the time, a single weak section in reading, speaking, writing, or listening necessitated retaking all four parts. This rigorous requirement meant each attempt carried considerable financial, emotional, and psychological weight, coupled with the uncertainty of future performance.

The seventh attempt, in February 2020, was approached with strong confidence due to extensive practice and a deep understanding of the exam's format. However, the initial results revealed a suspiciously low score in the speaking section, leading to intense disappointment. Trusting a gut instinct that the grade was incorrect, a risky decision was made to apply for a remark. This gamble paid off, as weeks later, the score was revised upward, finally achieving the crucial 8.5 out of 9, signaling the presumed end of the arduous IELTS journey.

With the new, higher score, the individual promptly updated their profile, watching points increase and feeling genuinely close to an invitation for permanent residence. This sense of nearing the goal was abruptly interrupted when, within a week, the global landscape shifted due to COVID-19, leading Canada to pause Express Entry draws in March 2020. This unforeseen event ushered in another period of anxious waiting, lasting nearly six months.

In July 2020, the Express Entry draws finally reopened, and the much-awaited invitation to apply for the Canadian Permanent Residence Program was received. By this stage, a sense of cynicism had developed, born from the understanding that the process was anything but straightforward. As a coping mechanism, the individual adopted a mindset of living life as if the relocation wasn't actively happening.

The permanent resident visa was approved, and the passport returned in January 2021, creating a renewed sense that everything was finally aligning. A flight was booked, ready to embark on a new life chapter in Canada. Yet, another unexpected obstacle arose at the airport: denial of boarding due to an unannounced government travel restriction related to the pandemic. This left the traveler in profound disbelief, with an entire life packed into suitcases and emotional goodbyes already exchanged.

What followed was a protracted nightmare of back-and-forth communication, repeated flight bookings, and the continuous need for COVID tests, each valid for only two days. Every delay necessitated a new test, compounding the stress. Ultimately, advice was sought to try a different airline that had not yet implemented the same restrictions. This meant sacrificing another ticket and hastily booking a last-minute flight with Ethiopian Airlines.

This time, the boarding was successful, initiating a two-day journey with multiple layovers: from Lagos to Addis Ababa, then Dublin, Toronto, and finally, Edmonton. The exhaustion of such a long-haul trip was amplified by the prior emotional and psychological drain. Upon touching down in Edmonton, the overwhelming feeling was one of quiet relief that the ordeal was finally over, rather than contemplation of the journey's length.

Reflecting on the entire experience, it was undeniably a bumpy road filled with setbacks: seven grueling exams, a depleted bank account, a global pandemic, and being turned away at the very finish line. The two-and-a-half-year process served as a testament to the immense patience, consistency, and resilience required to navigate such an intricate path. While moving to Canada is a significant milestone, the narrative underscores the often-unspoken grit and tenacity necessary to endure and succeed in the complex immigration process.