3 Steps I Took to Live in the UK
As a young immigrant to the UK, I remember feeling panic and dread as I wondered how to survive this life. The following questions kept running through my mind:
How would I survive whilst trying to go to school?
Would I ever find a job I like with no work or previous experience?
Was I even smart enough to get a real job?
Was I going to be broke forever?
Would I ever realize my dream of living a decent life in the UK?
Fast forward ten years and I have now worked in, not only London, but the United States of America, as well as other Middle Eastern countries practicing a profession I absolutely love. I work in a job that’s pretty close to my dream job and, I get to travel and see new places.
When I think back to the nervous 20-year-old me, I am so proud of myself for not giving up and so thankful for a few little decisions that changed the trajectory of my life.
Decisions that have allowed me to be right where I was meant to be – globetrotting across the world- while meeting new and fantastic people all the time.
So, how did I get here?
There’s no rule book or guide, and definitely no set timeline to getting what you want out of life. But thinking back on what I’ve learned so far, there are four rules I’ve always tried to live by:
- Write your vision to God
- Make it plain
- Speak faith declarations daily on your vision
- Take massive action
Faith without work is dead so remember that you need to work on your vision, take massive action, and do those things that scare you daily to achieve your dream.
When I was in the sixth form, I did a 1-week observation in the hospital. (If you’re in college, I highly recommend doing an observation program/preceptorship if you can!)
It was the first time I had ever taken the initiative to follow my dreams, although I was nervous I still took the leap of faith. I fell in love with physiotherapy, the job, the culture, and most importantly the ability to help transform other people’s lives in a short period of time. I vowed (to myself) that one day I would become a traveling PT.
A couple of years later, prior to graduating from college, I finally landed a job as a paid physiotherapy assistant with no degree. Not exactly what I was looking for – however, it will get me started on my journey to becoming a qualified physiotherapist, I was clearly ready for a full-time role.
Two years later, I graduated. Life was pretty good.
I loved the company, my boss, and the people I worked with. I already had some core work experience and networked with a few of the staff in the hospital prior to my graduation; which made it easier for me to transition from an assistant to a qualified physiotherapist from my years of experience I have been able to travel some while in the job too – Saudi Arabia, the USA, and a few other places.
Fast forward recently, I read that the UK government was offering visas for healthcare professionals.
I hadn’t been looking, but something piqued my interest when I clicked through.
I reached out and took action by applying for jobs again in the UK. A promotion, a change and the chance of re-visiting the United Kingdom. I interviewed and got the job. Little did I know then just how important that decision would be.
It reignited my passion, vision, and promise that I made to myself that I would surely help others in the same situation that I was in a couple of years back.
And here I am today.
Considering getting a working holiday visa or a Tier II Sponsorship Visa as a healthcare professional healthcare assistant? Do not hesitate to reach out to me for help.
I had to apply to a lot of different jobs and contacted my previous agencies where I had worked in the past to get a job. The job didn’t come looking for me and it didn’t just land in my lap. I spoke to people, I made my ambitions and my dreams to live in Europe known to everyone I met.
For you to succeed, you do the following…
Go ahead and do the leg work.
Organize your resume, and prepare for the interview.
Contact those you need to contact.
A sound advice” I asked my mentors for references ahead of time. I like to think it was a little bit of fate and a little bit of luck, but it was also a lot due to the connections I made and the hard work I put in.
I also can’t pretend that it was all on my own – I had friends who supported me, my family was (mostly) supportive and God helped me to achieve my dreams.
There were lots of other circumstances at play, but ultimately, I moved to UK!
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So like I said, a little bit of faith, trust in God, and action.
A lot of knowing what I wanted, being kind, making connections, and working hard.
Always asking and always seeking out opportunities that might get me closer to my dreams. Relying on people I loved and trusted. And never letting anyone else decide for me.
Trusting in God, following my gut instincts, and taking the necessary action have taught me more about myself in the last two decades.
“I’ve learned that life is cyclical; a dream is only a wish if you do not take steps to make it a reality.”
The universe will always give you what you ask for. I love the thrill of taking long walks alone or scaling new horizons to discover a new country. I’ve read more books, learned many languages, I’ve done more exercise classes, I’ve laughed louder and hugged my friends and family harder, I’ve made new friends, I’ve traveled more and I’ve just grown to appreciate the time.
That’s not to say that it wasn’t hard being so far away (and that it’s not still sometimes hard, especially right now under lockdown), but I am so happy with the choices I have made – the easy ones, the hard ones, and the downright scary ones. Because they all got me here.
In London, I have gained so much and learned so much.
I love shopping in the street markets and finding hidden gems in London I never would have had the time to find if I was only on vacation.
I uncover a new British phrase every week and I’ve gone from a 15-year-old immigrant girl with no life experience to a 37-year-old who has been to 10 countries and has a list of double that I want to see.
I’ve fallen in love with travel, with new friends, with old friends.
So what’s my advice to you? If your dream is to live abroad one day:
- Trust God
- Have faith
- Take action.
- Think about the things that will get you there
- Work hard
- Become the best you can at whatever it is you do
- Be kind
- Talk to people, ask them about their days
- Be curious
- Be bold
- Tell people your dreams and your ambitions and listen to theirs too
For all the people who have helped me, I’ve always tried to help others just as much – I love editing resumes or sharing jobs with people and you never know when you’ll need the favour returned.
Things don’t always happen on the timelines you set for yourself and with the world in such an unknown state, that’s going to be even more of the case. But don’t stress about the unknown. Life is short and the runway is long.
Work hard, be kind and be yourself. (And I hope you too are blessed with the same little bit of luck and fate that I found!) Remember life is sweeter when you live your dreams and do it by serving others.