A Nurse’s tale: My Silver Anniversary of Migrating to UK

LONDON, England — Twenty-five years ago today, 61 young nurses (including me) arrived at London Heathrow Airport, carrying not only suitcases but also dreams, hopes, and the courage to begin a new life far from home. We came from different parts of the Philippines — from the northern provinces of Luzon to as far south as Zamboanga. The plane was filled with nurses, and we jokingly said that anyone feeling unwell during the flight was in luck because they were surrounded by people ready to care for them.

I still vividly remember our arrival at the accommodation at Northwick Park Hospital. The Filipino nurses who had arrived before us warmly welcomed us by organising a party at the hospital’s social club. It was a simple but heartfelt gathering filled with familiar comfort foods — rice, noodles, and lechon manok (roast chicken). We even brought some leftovers back to our shared kitchen because, as Filipinos, we believed nothing should go to waste (Sharon was already popular then).

The following days felt both unfamiliar and exciting all at once. Summer in England was something entirely new to me. The sun would rise at around 5 a.m. and would not set until nearly 9 p.m. — a striking contrast to life back home in the Philippines. Everything seemed different: the weather, the culture, the people. Yet amid all the changes, there was also a strong sense of possibility in the air.

Among the memorable moments from those early days was being featured in a local newspaper alongside Emily Fernandez, who is now a Division Head of Nursing in Cambridge, as well as Mikyung Nho from Korea and Hauwa Lima from Nigeria, both international nurses. I still have that newspaper clipping safely tucked inside my photo album, a treasured reminder of where our journeys began.

During our free time, we would often gather at the large grassy park behind Northwick Park Hospital. We would bring snacks, sit together on the grass, sing popular songs, and I would often play my guitar while everyone joined in. As the evening stretched on, we would watch the sun slowly set, enjoying the cool summer breeze and each other’s company. Life felt simpler and more laid-back then. Those quiet moments of laughter, music, and friendship helped ease our homesickness and created memories that remain deeply special to me even after all these years.

Our group of nurses was eventually assigned between two hospitals: Northwick Park Hospital and Central Middlesex Hospital. I was assigned to cover vacancies in the Accident and Emergency Department at Central Middlesex — or “Centralmid,” as we fondly called it.

Each working day began early. We would catch the 6:40 a.m. shuttle bus to Central Middlesex Hospital and return on the 3:20 p.m. trip back. Seats were limited, so it was always first come, first served, and queuing became part of our daily routine. Despite the early mornings and long shifts, those shuttle rides became moments of camaraderie, laughter, and shared stories among us nurses adjusting to life in a new country.

On our days off, we occasionally used the shuttle for a different purpose. Quite cheekily, we would ride it to the hospital and then head to the local ASDA store to do our grocery shopping. To avoid being noticed with bags full of groceries, we would usually sit at the back of the shuttle, hiding our shopping where no one could easily see it. Looking back now, those small adventures and simple acts of resourcefulness became some of the fondest and funniest memories of our early years in England.

During that time, call cards such as Unity were extremely popular among overseas workers and immigrants because they were one of the cheapest ways to stay connected with family back home in the Philippines. International calls were expensive, and hearing the voices of loved ones, even for a few minutes, meant so much to us.

One of our friends, Wingi, saw a business opportunity in it. He would buy call cards in bulk at discounted prices and then resell them to us at the normal rate — what a businessman he was! He kept track of everyone’s purchases in a small notebook, carefully writing down our names and how much we owed. Then, on payday, he would go around collecting payments. It became part of our little community life as newly arrived nurses trying to make ends meet while supporting families back home.

Looking back now, it is amazing to think how different communication was back then. We relied on prepaid call cards, queued for payphones, and carefully counted the minutes during long-distance calls. How I wish we had apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger at the time. Life would have been so much easier, and staying connected with our families would not have felt so expensive or difficult. Yet perhaps those challenges also made every conversation more meaningful and every connection more deeply treasured.

During weekends, our flat would often come alive with parties and laughter. The ground floor of our accommodation became especially popular because we would open the door that separated the flats, creating one long corridor that we turned into a fashion runway. Dave and Wingi were always the stars of the show, confidently strutting down the “catwalk” in their skimpy girly dresses, making everyone burst into laughter and applause.

Music filled the hallways, people danced without a care, and the weekends were full of joy, friendship, and unforgettable memories. Those were happy times — simple, carefree moments that brought us closer together and helped make England feel a little more like home.

Twenty-five years have passed, and I now realise that our journey was about far more than work. It was about sacrifice, resilience, friendship, and building a life in a country that eventually became our second home. We arrived as young nurses filled with uncertainty, yet over the years we grew not only in our profession but also as people. Many of us built successful careers, raised families, and contributed to the healthcare system with dedication, compassion, and pride.

Last Saturday, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at the DoubleTree by Hilton London. Together with our loved ones, we reminisced and shared beautiful memories of our early years in England. It was a night filled with laughter, singing, dancing, and games — not only for us but also for our children, who were able to witness and appreciate the friendships and bonds we had built over the past 25 years.

The evening was full of joy and nostalgia as we recalled funny stories, unforgettable moments, and the challenges we faced together as young nurses starting a new life far from home. Friendly banter and teasing became part of the celebration, just as they had been during our younger days. Despite the passing of time, it felt as though we had simply picked up where we left off — older, perhaps wiser, but still connected by the same friendship, humour, and shared experiences that brought us together all those years ago.

Today, as I reflect on that life-changing journey, I feel immense gratitude — for the opportunities, the friendships, the memories, and the countless patients whose lives we were privileged to touch. Twenty-five years later, the memories remain as vivid as ever, and the bond shared by those 61 nurses continues to hold a special place in my heart.

Happy 25th Anniversary to the London North West Hospital Batch of 2001.