Welcome Centre and UMG Welcome Cohorts of International Nursing Staff to Göttingen
“A year and a half ago I could not imagine that I would be at this point. I work independently, speak German, and I feel great at work. It wasn’t easy but I am happy!” (Laila Radif from Italy)
Since 2019, the Welcome Centre for the Göttingen Campus has been working in cooperation with the Nursing Service of the University Medical Centre Göttingen (UMG). Sarah Kreckel looks after cohorts of internationally recruited nursing staff as well as internationally or domestically recruited individuals who transfer to the University Hospital. Thus far, UMG has welcomed two cohorts from the Philippines and one from Italy. The hospital expects a large group from Eastern Europe to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2021. Individual applicants have come from India and Serbia.
Sarah’s work consists of handling bureaucratic matters, introducing the nurses to their new city, getting their studies recognized in Niedersachsen, and helping them to become acclimated to life in a new country. Shortly before the nurses arrive, Sarah gathers paperwork and plans the nurses’ first days in close coordination with UMG Recruitment, the Pflegedienstleitung and, most importantly, a newly appointed member of the international nurses office team, Katrina Saager, herself a Filipina.
Farah Angalot arrived in Göttingen from the Philippines in October. She reports: “Working and integrating into life here in Germany is a challenge. It takes a lot of courage and determination to leave the comforts of home. But the Welcome Centre has helped us every step of the way. That made our life here in Göttingen a lot easier.”
Sarah places top priority on enabling the nurses to focus on their jobs, because after all, they are here to take care of our community! To that end, she tries to solve daily life problems, such as where to get a bike fixed or how to use the laundry machines. Before the coronavirus pandemic struck she was able to invite the first group of Filipinos to a calming afternoon of crafts, coffee, and a (less calm!) Kahoot quiz about Göttingen. The nurses are a real win for Göttingen, particularly as many of them already have significant international experience. In fact, one of the Filipinos, Kenneth Aquino, who had previously worked in Saudi Arabia, told Sarah that he acted as translator for a patient here in Göttingen who spoke only Arabic. Although the effort required from all sides is great, the benefits for Göttingen are clear.
Contact:
Sarah C. Kreckel
International Office
Welcome Centre Göttingen Campus
Phone: +49 (0)551 39 212
Email: sarah.kreckel@zvw.uni-goettingen.de
