From an early age, I was fascinated by how buildings and structures come to life. This curiosity led me to pursue a career in engineering, where I have developed expertise in site supervision and continue to learn project management. I find joy in traveling to new places, doing morning jogs, and cooking.
Moving to the UK from the Philippines to start a new chapter in my engineering career has been both exciting and overwhelming. From the moment I arrived, everything felt different: the weather, the culture, and especially the work environment.
At first, I found it quite challenging to adjust. The way people communicate here is more direct but also layered in ways I wasn’t used to. I often second-guessed how to respond during meetings or when to speak up. Even small things like the accent, work humor, or local customs made me feel like a stranger trying to catch up.
In a nuclear project as massive as HPC, its engineering standards, tools and processes are very different from what I was used to back home. There is a strong emphasis on documentation and independent problem solving. At times, I felt lost or slow, questioning whether I could keep up.
But instead of getting discouraged, I decided to shift my mindset. I reminded myself why I came here – to discover, to learn and grow. I realized that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. What matters is showing up, asking questions, and being open to learning. Slowly, things are making sense, I am beginning to find my rhythm.
The transition is far from easy, but I know it is shaping me into a stronger and more adaptable professional.
From an early age, I was fascinated by how buildings and structures come to life. This curiosity led me to pursue a career in engineering, where I have developed expertise in site supervision and continue to learn project management. I find joy in traveling to new places, doing morning jogs, and cooking.
One step • Nina Angela GACURA
Moving to the UK from the Philippines to start a new chapter in my engineering career has been both exciting and overwhelming. From the moment I arrived, everything felt different: the weather, the culture, and especially the work environment.
At first, I found it quite challenging to adjust. The way people communicate here is more direct but also layered in ways I wasn’t used to. I often second-guessed how to respond during meetings or when to speak up. Even small things like the accent, work humor, or local customs made me feel like a stranger trying to catch up.
In a nuclear project as massive as HPC, its engineering standards, tools and processes are very different from what I was used to back home. There is a strong emphasis on documentation and independent problem solving. At times, I felt lost or slow, questioning whether I could keep up.
But instead of getting discouraged, I decided to shift my mindset. I reminded myself why I came here – to discover, to learn and grow. I realized that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. What matters is showing up, asking questions, and being open to learning. Slowly, things are making sense, I am beginning to find my rhythm.
The transition is far from easy, but I know it is shaping me into a stronger and more adaptable professional.
