‘I really wanted to make my mark, so left Brazil for new adventures in Canada.’
I first visited Canada in 2017 and was captivated by it, but when I looked at options within GFT in 2020, a Canadian transfer wasn’t available. My sights then turned to Switzerland – until the pandemic hit and changed everything. Still, I kept my dream alive and applied for my Canadian visa in 2021. Just then, GFT Canada reached out with an interview, and I jumped at the chance.
From the moment I joined, I felt welcomed and supported. The commitment and warmth of the GFT team here in Canada made all the difference as I settled into my new life.
Because it was a big thing, and actually a bigger challenge than I expected. There were communication barriers, initially, as English and French are not my first languages. Toronto, in general, is a multicultural city with people from all over the world. So, there’s challenges understanding different accents and cultures.
But, over time, things have become easier. I was lucky to have good friends from the start. A Canadian, who had studied with me in Brazil, moved back around the same time, and his group of friends have welcomed me.
Perhaps the biggest shock was the Canadian winter. My first experience of snow! We definitely don’t get that in São Paulo. Yet, the limited daylight is the hardest thing, especially after having near-constant sunshine. Now that I’ve learned to dress properly and discovered winter activities, it’s become more enjoyable.
At work, I had to start almost from scratch with a completely new technology stack. I’d worked in digital insurance experiences since 2013, and since joining GFT in 2018. But, when I moved, I went onto Guidewire’s Jutro platform. Everyone was really supportive in helping develop my skills quickly, although I also committed a lot of time to the training tools.
Anyway, it’s come full circle. I’m now a recognised Jutro expert at GFT. That’s led to my most memorable and challenging role, where I now work with insurance clients to identify new business opportunities with the software.
The culture was a major reason I chose GFT; it’s truly ‘big enough to deliver, small enough to care.’ The support I’ve received here has helped me grow and succeed in ways I hadn’t expected. I was greeted with such a warm welcome that it eased my transition and helped me adapt to Canada’s cold temperatures – making me feel right at home.
