My Name is Kuo Yau, I am a General Practitioner. I came to NZ in September from Singapore.
The process to come to NZ took me 9 months. The easiest part of the process was looking for a job. Prudence was very helpful with advice on how to tackle the interviews. She was also constantly checking in on me when I first arrived, to make sure I was settling in OK.
The most challenging part of the process was the paperwork (council registration, visa application etc.).
My first impressions of NZ were fresh air and wide open spaces. The best parts of NZ are her beautiful nature and friendly people.
What I miss the most is my family.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is don't be afraid to give it a go.
Questions about your new workplace
Are there any major differences between your current role in NZ and your previous role overseas?
Being a GP in NZ is quite different from Singapore. Some conditions that would be managed by specialists in Singapore are being managed in Primary Care. There is more communication between specialists and GPs here, which is a good thing. Certain medical conditions are also more common here compared to back in Singapore.
Is there anything specifically done differently in NZ that has interested you and the way you practice your profession?
I certainly enjoy the fact that I have more time allocated per patient (compared to back home) and this makes my work more fulfilling as I can work with my patients to look after their own health.
