Community Profile: Norma
Meet Norma who is one of our current students from The Philippines and learn more about how she spends her time in Vancouver as well as some of the challenges she is facing living abroad. Thank you for sharing this with us, Norma!
Tell us about yourself.
My friends usually call me my nickname, Nhormz. I’m 47 yrs old from the Philippines and have been been here in BC for 5 years. I am a midwife by profession and have been working as a child care provider since my arrival here in the country. I love walking and hiking as my hobby and sometimes just sitting in front of TV watching action movies.
How do you spend your free time in Vancouver?
I do a lot of walking and exploring here in Vancouver in my free time. Usually I could walk over 3 hours around Stanley Park going to Science World alone just to enjoy the seaside and scenery of each places. I enjoy watching the boats that goes back and forth and the birds flying high and a clear skies.
What some challenges you’ve faced with moving to Canada?
From the day I set foot here, I have faced a lot of challenges. One of most is to be away from your loved ones, friends and pets is heartbreaking which I struggle with and find it hard to overcome. Second is being alone in a country with no one to turn to is really depressing but remembering why I chose to be in this to fulfill my goal to be in this dream country gives me strength to move forward one day at a time and as the days goes by I realize that I am living the life I’ve been dreaming of for my whole life.
Which place would you recommend to someone visiting your country?
For me I highly recommend Mt. Mayon which is a place worth visiting in my country. We call it Daragang Magayon (meaning beautiful lady or beautiful maiden) and it’s an active cone shape volcano and a popular tourist spot in the province of Albay where I was born.
What are you hoping to achieve during your time at MOSAIC?
I am hoping to achieve to get my overall bench mark of 7 or higher in my IELTS exam. I am confident to get this benchmark with the help of all the kind hearted staff and admin with their dedication and patience teaching us.
