Canadian Experience Acquired

The most important moment in my professional life was the day I knocked on the door of the Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto. There I met people who treated me with respect and consideration. They let me know that my skills were important for the work that they were doing. For the first time since moving to Canada, I felt useful.

I arrived in Canada in 2005 under the Skilled Worker program. The beginning was hard; I didn't know anybody and everything was new. Not being able to communicate made me feel isolated, confused and lost.

During those first months, different people extended their hands to my family. For me, these helpful, caring people became the face of Canada: a teacher who gave my daughter her first Canadian doll; a family who showed us how to enjoy winter. However, in spite of helpful people and my best efforts, I could not find a job where I could use my training and experience as a psychologist. Canadian jobs requi5red Canadian experience!

At the New Life Centre, I met other internationally educated professionals with the same interests and experience. We received training from an experienced supervisor, who shared her knowledge of the Canadian mental health system.

At the same time, I was able to use my experience and expertise. I became part of the Special Support Services team, a group of internationally trained psychologists offering counselling in Spanish to newcomers from Latin America. In this work, I accompanied refugee claimants in their immigration process, gave emotional support to families separated by migration and helped women who are victims of abuse find their place in a fairer and safer society.

Having a job where I can help other newcomers has given meaning to my life here. At the Mennonite New Life Centre, I have found a community were people from other countries have room to express themselves, cope with immigration barriers and find their place in Canadian society. I am proud to be part of an organization that gives hope to people as they begin to build a new dream for their lives.