Meet Maria Alejandra Suárez, a determined woman from Colombia who recently graduated from Lambton College in Toronto. With Admis' expert guidance, she successfully obtained her 3-year PGWP in February 2024, just months after completing her classes in December.
In this heartfelt interview, Maria shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering hope and inspiration to fellow immigrants. Her story testifies to the power of perseverance and the life-changing impact of organizations like Admis
1. What inspired you to choose Canada, specifically Toronto, as your destination for studying at Lambton College?
I remember that after years of working and getting experience, there was a specific time when I felt that it was the right time to continue expanding my studies with a specialization or a master's. After analyzing different factors such as the economic ones, the job opportunities, all the opportunities for international students, stability and others, I decided that Canada was the country that offered me all those opportunities that I was looking for.
I came here as an international student in 2022. Now, I'm about to get my degree with a graduate certificate in chemical laboratory analysis from Lambton College. After analyzing that it aligned with my professional profile, I chose this institution and this program. I also chose it because the focus of the program offers me what
I want for my future or my profession. It gave me all the skills I was looking for or needed to complete or improve my professional profile.
For all those professionals who want to continue growing or focusing their careers in a specific area, I just tell them to take action. And what better way to do it than enrolling in this master's degree, specialization or certificate abroad? It's going to be an opportunity that helps you grow, either professionally or personally. And Canada is such a great country to do this.
2. After completing your classes in December, what was your biggest challenge while preparing your PGWP application, and how did Admis help you overcome it?
I finished my classes in December after receiving all the grades and the official letters from the college. I started the application for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). I found during the process that the biggest issue I faced was filling out the forms because there were so many complex questions. Also, there are so many days that you have to enter, like the number of days of the college, the beginning dates and the start, the end days of the entries in the country and of the study permit and all of this.
Admis was very helpful for me in that way because the software reformulated all those complex questions and asked you simple questions. So you have to answer the simple questions. Once all questions were answered, the software filled out the form for me.
It was helpful because it was easy to answer all these questions, like entering all the dates and double-verifying the information. Another thing that I like a lot is that Admis gives me a detailed list of my documents! I attached all of them and the software, and then the software verified all those documents for me. And when the documents were verified, I was more confident about uploading them to the application.
3. Now that you have your 3-year PGWP, what are your plans and aspirations for your future in Canada, especially after your recent graduation?
Thanks to Admis support, I could properly fill out all the forms and apply for the post-graduation work permit. A few days ago, I received my three-year post-graduation work permit. So in the next three years, I'm going to gain a lot of professional experience.
This is my main goal because, with this, I'll be able to find the proper way to apply for permanent residence. This is one of our main goals as international students. We would like to continue growing or building a professional career here in the country. So yeah, that's the idea.
Now I'm applying to jobs related to my career. Let's see what happens. But I know there is a long way to go, like a long process. We have to be very patient, but there are a lot of opportunities, and that's what I want: to pursue my permanent residence.
4. As a Colombian woman who successfully navigated the Canadian immigration process, what message of encouragement do you want to give to fellow Colombians and other immigrants who dream of building their future in Canada?
As a Colombian woman who decided to come to Canada as an international student, and after entering through all those immigration processes, I have to say that Canada is a country full of opportunities. Here, it doesn't matter what your nationality, gender, or beliefs are. In Canada, what really matters is your attitude, your discipline, and your skills.
So if you want to come to Canada, you have to set a goal and work for it. This will make a difference and give you all the opportunities you are looking for.
