Rising Beyond Rejections: A Nurse’s Journey to Canada

It was a busy afternoon in February 2018 when a client walked into our office to inquire about studying abroad. She was a Registered Nurse interested in going to Canada. Unfortunately, at that time, we were still in the process of learning about the country’s student visa programs.

Australia was our bread and butter - it was the option I offered her. She considered it, but when I learned about her previous visa refusals, I had doubts about her chances. If I recall correctly, she had two study permit refusals for Canada, one visitor visa refusal for Canada, and another visitor visa refusal for the U.S. Based on my assessment, her chances of visa approval were very low. Still, I didn’t want to close the door on her. I told her she could try another country - who knows? Maybe Australia was meant for her. Luck must have been on my side because she listened. She signed up that same month, and we began her student visa application process.

She was a jolly and friendly client, always cooperative and submitting good-quality documents. She was also receptive to my suggestions and advice. I remember exchanging messages with her late at night whenever she needed clarification, and it never bothered me. Serving respectful and appreciative clients like her was always a pleasure. In just two months, we secured her admission, completed her enrollment, and lodged her application. 

We submitted her application on April 17, 2018. Surprisingly, just after eight days, we received the email containing her visa grant letter. I was so overjoyed that I jumped before calling her to share the good news. Neither of us had expected such a quick and positive result. To be honest, I didn’t have that much expectation as well given her previous refusals. But we held on to our hopes and fortunately made it. She had a pre-departure orientation at our Laoag Office in May 2018 before she finally boarded her flight to pursue her Ageing Support studies in Australia.

Even after she arrived in Australia, we kept in touch. She was the first client with whom I built a strong relationship. In fact, instead of calling her "Ma’am," I started calling her “Ate.” It was always nice to hear her stories whenever I asked how she was doing. She would tell me it was hard, but she was managing. That resilience in her was truly admirable!

I remember one time when I asked about her work. She told me she was caring for an elderly person while also working as a cleaner. She mentioned doing a part-time job cleaning trains that paid AUD 25 per hour. She tirelessly juggled four jobs - caring for an elderly, babysitting, and alternating between a nursing home and a childcare center.

I was so amazed with her hard work at the same time, I am happy she was making things work. From time to time, she still managed to go out with friends, have fun and enjoy the beauty of Australia. 

She also shared that she still wants to pursue her Canadian dream, and I cheered her for that. From the very beginning, her heart had always been set on Canada. We remained in constant communication, and she even referred clients to me.

Fast forward to 2020, during the pandemic - she reached out to me again to renew her student visa in Australia. While she wanted to extend her stay for a few more months, she was also leaning toward applying for Canada. And before I knew it, she was already there. 

We didn’t assist with her application since it wasn’t within our scope, but she shared how her process went. I was beyond happy for her, knowing how determined she had always been to get to Canada. Despite the setbacks caused by the pandemic, she was finally achieving her goal. She continued pursuing her career as a Registered Nurse in Canada. We stayed connected on social media, and I often saw her posting about the beautiful places she visited.

Then, in October 2024, I saw one of her posts showing that she had taken her oath to become a Canadian citizen. 

I sent her a congratulatory message, reminiscing about how she started six years ago. She thanked me and said, “Yeah, the Lord had better plans for me. Thank you, Edz. Thanks for the help and support. This is our success!”

Indeed, it was a beautiful journey of failing yet continuously rising.

She is my client, Mylene Quitoriano, finally a Canadian citizen and a Registered Nurse.

Her journey reminded me that setbacks don’t define a person - perseverance does. From multiple refusals to finally achieving her dream, she never let obstacles stop her. Instead, she embraced every challenge, adapted, and kept pushing forward. Looking back, I realize that what seemed like an impossible case turned into one of the most inspiring success stories I’ve witnessed. It reinforced my belief in the work we do - not just assisting with applications but being part of someone’s life-changing journey.

Seeing her succeed, not just as an international student but now as a Canadian citizen, fills me with so much pride and joy. It’s a testament that dreams, no matter how distant they seem, are always within reach for those who dare to keep going.

And as we continue to guide other aspiring students, I carry this story with me - a reminder that with resilience, the right support, and a bit of faith, incredible things can happen.

EDELYN GARCIA

ENZ Consultant, 2018