A Newcomer’s Journey to The Canadian Medical Field

It all started with a visit to Anderson. Read Gustavo’s journey, written in his own words.

After moving to Canada alone as a healthcare professional in 2017, spending 6 months looking for a job without any success, frustrated, homesick and trying to overcome the winter blues, I decided to contact Anderson College, Bloor Campus, and enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Technician program.

“I was challenging myself and had a new purpose, and that felt so, so good! Life does change when you decide to take a step forward.”

At my first visit, I was warmly welcomed, I felt confident that I was taking the right step towards a healthcare career in Canada. If I really wanted to keep working in my field, a college program would be the best way to kick start my plan. Two weeks later and voilà … there I was attending my first class, feeling productive, useful, active and integrated into society again. I was challenging myself and had a new purpose, and that felt so, so good! Life does change when you decide to take a step forward.

At Anderson we were like a close family, always helping and cheering each other on when needed. We had some great workgroup projects, and the Halloween and Christmas door decoration contests were certainly memorable! Potlucks were also common, with cuisines from the Philippines, Brazil, Iraq, Portugal, and Estonia.

“We struggled at times with all the assignments, presentations, homework, tests and exams, but that’s how it is: first you strive, then you thrive!”

We struggled at times with all the assignments, presentations, homework, tests and exams, but that’s how it is: first you strive, then you thrive! I am very thankful to all my colleagues and staff who were part of my learning / resettling process in this wonderful land that I now call home – Canada.

Finally, I wish all my former colleagues and Anderson graduates a bright and prosperous professional future in this land of opportunities. May we keep up learning, giving the best of ourselves professionally and succeeding.

Best wishes,

Gustavo C.