For Martin Andres Sanchez Vargas, nursing was never just a career choice — it was a calling.

Born and raised in San Andrés Ixtlán, a quiet town on the edge of the Sierra del Tigre in Jalisco, Mexico, Martin grew up surrounded by nurses in his family. He always knew that helping others would be at the center of his life. But what he didn’t know then was that his path would lead him over 9,000 kilometers away — to Germany. 

Germany wasn’t the obvious choice at first. He considered the U.S., where some of his family lives. But deep down, Martin wanted something different. A life built on his own terms, where he could step out of the familiar and grow. “I wanted to live far from my family and friends, to start from scratch, where nobody knew me,” he says. “It was something I always dreamed of.”

Martin discovered our team the way many great journeys begin — by chance. While scrolling on Facebook one day, a post caught his eye. He hadn’t come across any other opportunities like it before, but something about it felt right. With a single click, he took the first step toward a new chapter — one that would lead him all the way to Germany. 

Soon after, he had his first interview with one of our recruiters. “She was very pleasant and very professional,” Martin recalls. “She stayed and supported me throughout the process — even helping with the translation during interviews with the hospital.” Step by step, he moved through the structured process: German language courses, exams, visa requirements. Our team provided the roadmap, and Martin followed it with focus and determination. 

“Nothing was difficult for me,” he says. “I always kept a positive and focused mindset. And, as I mentioned, Keyla was incredibly supportive.”

When Martin arrived in Hamburg, he was immediately struck by the city’s charm. “A beautiful country. Beautiful buildings and constructions — the climate was clearly very different from what I was used to in Mexico, but from then on, my first impression exceeded my expectations,” he remembers.

Still, settling into a new life came with its challenges. One of the most significant was finding accommodation — a common hurdle for many international newcomers. “Once we were here, we realized how complex the housing market in Germany really is,” Martin reflects. “That made it difficult to align expectations with the reality on the ground.”

While Martin felt fully supported, by our team, in terms of language preparation and work-related steps, the housing experience revealed a broader issue — one that isn’t always within anyone’s full control.

His openness and reflections have helped us strengthen our approach and improve how we prepare future candidates for this part of the transition. That kind of practical feedback is valuable to us. We see it not as criticism, but as insight — and we’re committed to improving the housing experience wherever we can, even in a market we can’t fully control.

Despite the housing setback, Martin didn’t let it define his experience. He adapted quickly. “I came with the mentality that I was starting a new life, in a totally different country and culture,” he says. He built routines: morning workouts, studying German and medical terms, walking through the city, shopping, cooking, exploring. Soon he joined a gym, started making friends, and found a vibrant community — not just of Mexicans, but of people from all over the world: India, the Philippines, Brazil, Iran, Poland, Turkey, and beyond. 

“Now I have a support network — colleagues, classmates, friends. It really helped me feel like I belong.” 

One of the most powerful parts of his integration? Movement. “Exercise is everything for me,” Martin says. Back in Mexico, he studied sports science alongside nursing, and staying active helped him settle in. “I signed up for marathons and started covering Zumba classes. The gym even helped me improve my German — I had to interact with people constantly.”

Passing the German recognition exam was the moment everything shifted. “It was a cool experience,” he says. “We were people from so many countries, all working toward the same goal. I was the only Spanish speaker in my class — not just the only Mexican, but the only one speaking my language.” It wasn’t easy. But he had help. Two mentors stood by him through the process, giving tips, answering questions, and keeping him motivated. “Not everyone had that,” he says. “I was lucky.” 

This official recognition — completing the process and becoming a fully certified nurse in Germany — wasn’t just a paper. It was the tangible result of every hour he’d studied, every moment he’d doubted himself, and every step he’d taken since leaving home. “It meant everything. I realized that all the sacrifice had been worth it.”

Today, Martin is proud to say he works in a hospital where he has all the tools he needs. “Here, we have all the materials and medications to provide quality care,” he says. “In Mexico, we often had to make do with less — to improvise.” But what struck him even more was the openness of his German colleagues and patients. “They are incredibly patient. They know we’re still learning the language. But they try to understand. They support us.”

From his very first interview to the day he received his professional recognition, our team walked alongside Martin. We helped him navigate the application and visa process, offered language training and technical preparation, and made sure he had the resources and guidance he needed at every stage. People like our recruiters and our extended team became his go-to support system — answering questions, translating interviews, offering advice, and staying connected through the process. We’re proud to have been part of his journey, and we know his story is just getting started.

Now, Martin is focused on growing his experience as a nurse and enjoying life in Germany. After such a demanding year, he’s choosing to take a breath — to settle in, learn more, and prepare for what’s next. He dreams of one day showing Europe to his family, not just through stories, but in person. “I’m proud of myself,” he says. “I arrived here full of fear. I didn’t know how I would manage. But I made it. And I’m happy. That’s something no one can take from me.”