Tell us about your journey so far. What are some of your favorite things about America? What are some things you have learned or skills you have picked up along the way?
“I have been living in the United States now for more than a year and I can say that I am adapting quite well. The people are all warm and friendly; and there is a wide variety of food, especially that of Asian cuisines! Though, it feels like home because there are a lot of Filipino restaurants and markets. One of my favorite things about living in California is the diversity and different cultures. I learn from them, but at the same time, I get to share my knowledge as well. I have become an experienced driver as well. That is one of the skills I have picked up. I have gone on long drives as of late and I love it!”
Tell us a little bit about your family and home, what was it like growing up?
“I am from the Silang, Cavite, a beautiful and peaceful province in the Philippines. It is a place far from the noise and hustle of the city. We have a front yard where my mom and I grow several plants, like papaya, okra, squash, tomatoes and much more. My two brothers, Ellyzar and Nash, are also there, and we have 10 adorable cats. My favorite is, Mucho. He is so fluffy. I can’t help but pet and scratch him all the time!”
What are some of your favorite places you have visited in America so far? What are a few places you would like to visit in the future?
“I recently got back from my favorite trip so far. My friends and I went on a road trip, which started in California and across six-different states. We also went to Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The whole experience was exhilarating! I never could have imagined myself doing it, but we did it and I was able to explore more of the country. I am looking forward to eventually visiting both New York, N.Y., and Chicago, Ill., in the future.”
How important has the MedPro Experience been for you during your time in the country and is there anyone at the company that has played a big role in your development?
“MedPro has been a huge part of my journey, both personally and professionally. I appreciate the constant communication from my journey guide, Rebekah McCoy, who is dedicated to helping me. It also always brightens my day in receiving emails from Sue LaCkore. The MedPro Experience makes me feel so appreciated and the rewards always inspire me to do better.”
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
“I go to work at 7am and, once I arrive, I prepare the reagents for my assays, which are Hepatitis, Aspergillus and COVID-19 tests, which I usually average 3-4, each shift. During incubation, I’ll take a quick lunch and then go back to continue the procedure. In all, the process takes about six hours to finish. I also check pending samples, emails for endorsements and I also read plates. I edit and print results, in conjunction with another CLS for verification. I then pull the positive samples to be repeated the following day. I will then release my results and put all reagents back into the fridge.”
Have you adapted to American culture yet, what are some of your favorite meals and what is the biggest difference when compared to your home country?
“I somehow have adapted well to American culture. I really enjoy the holidays here and how festive everyone is on the 4th of July. I do love the food though. Some of my favorites are steak and the burgers at In-n-Out. The biggest differences between America and the Philippines is the means of transportation. Public transportation is more accessible in the Philippines. The use of cars in California is a necessity, but it is a luxury as well. Traffic is also more controlled here, while drivers are far more disciplined as well.”
What are some of your favorite things you have done or seen while in America?
“I have enjoyed hiking trails and mountains, while engaging myself in nature. We have explored geothermal wonders, like the geysers of Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Prismatic, the world’s largest hot spring. We also experienced our first snowfall here as well. The John Moulton Barn at the Mormon Row Historic District looked just like a postcard and the snow-capped Tetons are extraordinary.”
What are some of the highlights you have garnered over the course of your journey in America?
“After three years, I was able to see my brother, Ellyzar. He has a job as a seafarer, which he started in 2017. His ship navigated both Central and South America for a year. When he finally made it home, I had already left the Philippines. Although I was ecstatic when his next assignment was here in California. I was able to take him on a tour of Los Angeles and we saw tourist spots like Hollywood and the LACMA urban lights. Having him here made me so happy and was a priceless moment. I’m quite grateful to have been able to experience that.”
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