“I am grateful to Discovery Community College for the support and education i received during my Health Care Assistant program. the instructors were knowledgeable, supportive, and truly cared about our success. this program helped me build confidence, gain hands on skills, and prepare for meaningful career in healthcare. Thank you for creating such a positive learning environment and helping me take this important step toward my future.”

“Thank you so much to Discovery Community College for giving us the opportunity to complete our education as Health Care Assistants. The instructors and staff were very helpful and supportive throughout the program. Although we had many instructors, each of them contributed positively to my learning experience. I would especially like to thank Charmaine Lafleur, Sonia Sidhu, and Gaganpreet Dhingra for their guidance, patience, and support. Overall, I’m very grateful for my experience at this college.”

“I was in dental assisting program and had a really positive experience at this college. The environment was welcoming, and my instructor Carolyn Youssef was amazing—very kind, supportive, and always encouraging. I truly appreciated her guidance.”

“Discovery Community College gave me the knowledge and the strength to pursue my dream career in healthcare. The college taught me so much about how to become a phenomenal Healthcare assistant. A big shout out to the BC Career College Association (BCCCA) for being able to fund me through this experience, making my dreams come true. I wouldn’t have done it without a few friends and family & the opportunity I received from Discovery Community College.”

“I chose to go to school because I wanted to grow professionally and open more opportunities in health care. While I loved my work as a support worker, I realized that experience alone was not enough to advance my career. My goal in enrolling at Discovery Community College was to earn a certificate as a Health Care Assistant and become a registered care aid, not just for myself, but for my family. I wanted to provide a better life for my family while serving others in a meaningful way.

Before coming to school, I was working as a support worker. I loved helping people, but I also recognized that further education and certification would help me grow in my career.

Coming to Canada was not easy. I had to leave everything I loved back home, my family, my comfort, and my sense of belonging. I was hesitant and afraid of failing when I first enrolled at Discovery Community College Surrey. The school, especially Ms. Neeru, believed in me when I did not believe in myself. Their guidance, encouragement, and support helped me overcome my fears and gain confidence. Balancing school and family life was very challenging. There were nights I studied with very little sleep while caring for my baby. Moments of exhaustion, tears, and self-doubt came often. But through prayer, perseverance, and faith, I kept going and discovered strength I did not know I had.

I am most proud of graduating from Discovery Community College and I am now officially a Registered Care Aide in British Columbia. Completing the program while managing family responsibilities showed me what dedication and faith can accomplish. My experience at DCC was supportive, inspiring, and transformative. The instructors, especially Ms. Gayatri and Ms. Pia, along with my classmates, encouraged me throughout my journey. I learned patience, gratitude, and the value of perseverance, not just academically, but personally.

I am still working as a support worker at Lower Mainland Society for Community Living. Through my education and certification, I now have more options and can make choices that allow me to settle things at the right time.

To anyone considering school, keep improving, keep learning, and trust yourself. Choose kindness, be patient, and remember that everyone faces different challenges. With faith, perseverance, and compassion, you can overcome even the hardest seasons of life.”

“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to Discovery Community College (DCC) and to everyone who supported me throughout my journey in the Community Support Worker program. Upon reflection, this experience proved to be both meaningful and transformative, contributing significantly to my professional development and personal growth.

When I first enrolled in the program, my goal was not simply to earn a diploma but to gain the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become an effective and compassionate community support worker. From the beginning, I committed myself to giving my best academically, professionally, and personally, knowing that the work we do has a lasting impact on individuals and communities. This mindset guided me throughout my studies and helped me approach learning with purpose and integrity.

Like many students, I faced challenges throughout my journey as an international student adjusting to different time zones while balancing academic responsibilities, work, and personal life in a new country. There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming and when certain concepts required extra effort to understand. Being away from home was not easy, but I chose to view these challenges as opportunities for growth. The support I received from DCC made a tremendous difference. My instructors were patient, kind, and always willing to guide and encourage me whenever I needed clarification. From the application process onward, the school staff helped ensure a smooth transition into the program and made me feel welcomed and supported. My classmates were also friendly and supportive, allowing me to build genuine friendships and meaningful connections. Their encouragement reminded me that I was never alone and helped me develop confidence, resilience, and perseverance—qualities essential in community support work.

I am especially proud of how I navigated life in Canada while successfully managing both work and school. More importantly, I am proud of the personal growth I experienced throughout the program. I became more compassionate, empathetic, and understanding in supporting others. The kindness and dedication shown by my instructors inspired me to carry these values forward in both my professional and personal life.

My practicum experience further strengthened my confidence as a future support worker. Although securing a placement came with challenges, the guidance and consistent check-ins from the DCC staff made the process smooth and rewarding. Their genuine concern for my success left a lasting impression on me and motivated me to continue growing.

To anyone considering returning to school, my advice is simple: give your best in everything you do. Education is a valuable opportunity that, when embraced fully, becomes truly transformative. I am deeply grateful for the lessons learned, the support received, and the growth I have experienced throughout my journey at Discovery Community College.”

“Returning to school while supporting my family and working part-time has been one of the most challenging and meaningful decisions of my life. I chose to pursue the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program because I have a deep passion for helping others, especially seniors who deserve compassionate, respectful, and quality care.

Supporting people in need gives me a strong sense of purpose, particularly when I see their comfort, happiness, and appreciation. More than twenty years ago, I began a college teaching program in Ethiopia, but was unable to complete my higher education at the time. That unfinished goal stayed with me and motivated me to return to school and finally achieve a professional qualification. Before enrolling at Discovery Community College (DCC), I was working full-time at Garibaldi Glass Industry in Burnaby, where I continue to work today. I am sincerely thankful to the Garibaldi family for their understanding and support in adjusting my work schedule, which made it possible for me to succeed academically.

DCC was the first college to contact me about the HCA program, and from the beginning, I felt welcomed and supported. Balancing work, studies, and family life was a significant challenge. Still, the encouragement, flexibility, and guidance from DCC instructors and staff helped me overcome obstacles and build confidence—especially as an adult learner and ESL student.

Completing this program is one of my proudest achievements. My experience at DCC has been supportive, empowering, and life-changing. I am now prepared to build a meaningful career in healthcare and make a positive difference in my community.

My advice to future students is simple: it is never too late to return to school and invest in yourself.”

“I completed the Education Assistant program at Discovery Community College, and it was a very positive learning experience for me. The Instructors at Discovery Community College very supportive, patient, and knowledgeable. They explained concepts clearly and always encouraged questions. The program gave me strong knowledge, practical skills and confidence to work in school settings. I am grateful for the learning and support I received at Discovery Community College.”

“I am Larissa Teke a career-changer who traded food service management for compassionate care. As a Food Service Supervisor, I saw the impact of nutrition on health and wanted to make a more personal difference in people’s lives. I relocated to Canada a year after achieving a BSC in integrated agriculture.

I’m glad to be part of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program sponsored by Vancouver Coastal Health. Through out my study at Discovery Community College (DCC), I’ve mastered both hard and soft skills like patient care, infection control, clinical documentation and recording, empathy, patience and calmness, adaptability and effective communication just to name a few. I have equally discovered my passion for supporting seniors with dementia.

My proudest moment came when i redirected a resident with Alzheimer’s who had been saying “they wanted to go home” even though this was thought in school and it is in the textbook, it is quite different when you actually get to experience it . It is far from just asking them to tell you about their home because everyone is different, I did ask them to tell me about their home but that wasn’t helpful until I pulled out pictures of their family and ask them to tell me about those who were in the picture and how it was like to be with them. This brought a smile to their face, and afterwards, I let them have a rest as they were tired from too much talking. ‘Then I said to myself “This is where I’m meant to be” because I felt happy calming them.

Today, I work in the community as a community support worker, combining my food service expertise with HCA skills to enhance clients quality of life. Changing careers was the best decision I made, I’m making a difference, one meal and one smile at a time.

I’m so grateful to have been part of your family and I’m thankful for all the knowledge, skills and support DCC has provided me with.