What It’s Like to Live and Work in Iceland
In the land of fire and ice, Marion Gay Renegado readies herself for another morning shift at the Landspitali University Hospital, the largest healthcare facility in Reykjavik. Hailing from the town of Cortes in Bohol, Philippines, she is a Filipina Nurse who has mastered the Icelandic language, thus securing the license to practice her profession in the heart of the country.
For seven years, she immersed herself in Iceland’s rich culture, visited the country’s majestic attractions, and remained in awe of the enchanting northern lights often found on many people’s bucket lists, including mine.
It was in 2017 when Marion and I sat down together, shared loud laughs, and enjoyed each other’s company at a small café in Tagbilaran City. She was on vacation leave that year: a hard-earned break after more than a year of adjusting to the Icelandic environment. Hours flew by like a blink of an eye as we chatted endlessly; she recalled and shared her tales of how challenging it was to live in a different country.
We have known each other since high school and even sat side by side during practices for graduation day. It was never a dull moment with Marion; her quirkiness was charming and contagious wherever she went.
Fortunately, technology has enabled us to reconnect this year and catch up with each other through a video call. And here we are again: still giggling and laughing at old jokes that don’t seem to tire out despite the years that passed. Marion, or Yawn as friends fondly called her, has always been this type of gal who kept a sunny attitude that warmed every friend she met. I’m grateful that we share and cherish this remarkable friendship together.
She may have a petite figure, but her feistier personality made her a standout. And despite being in a foreign country with an entirely different culture and climate, Marion remained grounded, unapologetic, and resolute about what she wanted and who she wanted to be in life.
How It All Started
In 2015, Marion arrived at Keflavik Airport with a bag full of aspirations, dreams, and a hint of nervousness about what the future would look like in this unfamiliar place. With a population of just over 370,000, she mentally prepared herself for what was to come in a country halfway around the world.
Fortunately, she has two older sisters who have settled ahead and kept her company during this transition. Her sisters’ presence comforted Marion and eased her homesickness whenever she thought of home from far away–a house in Cortes, Bohol, where her four-year-old daughter and mother resided.
She entered the country on a student visa; it was a prerequisite for skilled workers to pass the Icelandic exam to obtain a license to practice their profession. Marion juggled her time between study and work for two semesters–a challenging feat common to overseas Filipinos who work in a non-native English-speaking country.
“It was hard to understand everything at first, but I got the hang of it,” says Marion. She recounted old memories where she found herself lost in translation and had to strive harder to learn and master the Icelandic language as much as she could.
Fortunately, her hard work paid off when she successfully passed the exam, enabling her to officially work as a nurse at the most prestigious hospital in the country. Marion spends most of her time caring for the elderly at the rehabilitation unit and ensuring that every patient receives the best treatment. Meanwhile, she also extends her work at the endoscopy unit on separate days.
After six months of working, she was integrated into the nation’s system and finally enjoyed benefits befitting someone who works in a first-world country. Free health care, well-compensated hourly pay, an outstanding work-life balance, annual paid vacations, and social and professional support are just among the incredible perks that Marion can experience first-hand as part of Iceland’s workforce. In addition, the picturesque and stunning world-class tourist destinations we usually see in movies and wallpapers are now just a few hours away from her abode.
Making a Mark in Iceland's History of Healthcare
In 2020, a deadly disease disrupted the world, threatened the economy, and affected millions of lives across the globe. Covid-19 completely changed the landscape of healthcare protocols and challenged leaders to find the quickest and most effective solutions to subduing the health crisis.
By the end of the year, Iceland received the first doses of the vaccine given to Icelandic elderly patients. On December 29, 2020, two healthcare providers were chosen and tasked with administering the vaccine on the first rollout. Marion was honored to be part of this team, making her mark in Iceland’s healthcare history.
“It was an amazing and unforgettable experience. But we had to be quick on our feet to beat the clock,” Marion explains. For two days, they jogged from one ward to another to administer the vaccines on time. Once a vial has been opened, it must be consumed within a specific time frame before it expires. It was an arduous and challenging task for Marion and her colleague, but their competent skills and determination helped them overcome the difficulties during this period.
The Splendor of the Northern Lights
One of the exciting moments that Marion enjoys while living in Iceland is seeing the northern lights in their glory and brilliance. It only takes a step outside the balcony of her home to see the elusive aurora borealis hovering above as it entertains locals and tourists alike.
In a Facebook post captioned ‘Good evening Aurora,’ Marion caught the attention of news media outlets with her snapshots of the beautiful northern lights. She was featured in the Daily Guardian and the Philippine Star, which quickly went viral: an incredible moment she didn’t expect to happen.
Indeed, it’s easy to fall in love with Iceland’s mesmerizing sights and sounds–the rugged landscape adorned with waterfalls, glaciers and volcanoes, a colorful history with the Vikings, and the famous Blue Lagoon where tourists soak themselves in a magical outdoor spa located in Grindavík, Iceland.
Embarking on a New Chapter
For Marion, Iceland has become her new home away from home now that she has reunited with her eleven-year-old daughter after being apart for many years. Along with her partner, they live in a cozy house in Reykjavik, which offers a favorable view of the aurora borealis when it comes out during the winter season, starting from August to February.
“Every sacrifice was worth it. Don’t easily lose hope when things don’t work according to your plan,” she reveals. The pandemic ruined and delayed some of her plans, causing heartaches, worries, and disappointment. However, Marion remained resilient and hopeful that things would improve as long as she continued to move forward and become the best version of herself every day.
“Life has twists and turns that lead to different paths, but as long as you stay focused on your goals, you’ll definitely reach them one way or another.”
Working overseas and away from loved ones is a tough challenge. It demands grit, a lot of patience, endurance, and a strong mindset to withstand obstacles along the road.
Marion’s journey in Iceland depicts a life of constant evolution after overcoming each hurdle and conquering self-doubts during difficult moments. “Nothing worth having comes easy. But no matter how hard life gets, never forget to smile,” she says.
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