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“It has always been my dream to work abroad someday”

27 June 2024

Gerard Barcenilla managed to turn his dreams into reality over the past year, and Job Talent played a significant role in that journey. With a background in electronics and biomedical techniques, coupled with a passion for IT, he took the leap and moved from the Philippines to Belgium. There, he now works as a service desk engineer at TCR Group, a decision he hasn’t regretted so far.

At 32 years old, Gerard decided to relocate to Belgium. He recalls, “My career initially started as a biomedical engineer, but since 2017, I’ve been focusing on the IT sector. That shift eventually brought me to Belgium.”

“After going through a total of five interviews, I was thrilled to hear that I was selected to start. It was a fantastic moment; working abroad had always been my dream.”

They even done my grocery shopping

“Since April 2023, I have officially moved and settled in Zaventem. I must say, Job Talent handled everything related to the move exceptionally well. They arranged an apartment for me, assisted with all the paperwork, and even helped with integration, such as enrolling me in Dutch lessons. When I arrived, they had even done my grocery shopping for the first two weeks!”

“I’m glad I seized the opportunity, although it wasn’t always easy, of course. I don’t have any siblings and have a close bond with my parents. Being away from them now is sometimes challenging. But it was time for me to stand on my own feet and take on this challenge.”

“Initially, arriving in Belgium was overwhelming, especially with the numerous regulations here. For example, waste management is something we’re not familiar with in the Philippines. Fortunately, there’s a large Filipino community in Zaventem where I can always turn to for help in adapting.”

“Working at TCR Group in Belgium as a service desk engineer allows me to assess all incoming IT tickets, handling incidents and necessary adjustments.”

Gerard Barcenilla

From solo worker to team player

“TCR Group chose me because of my unique skills in SAP systems, for which I’m very grateful. In my previous job, I mainly worked alone, but I’m very happy to have colleagues to rely on now. They’ve been very supportive and helped me quickly find my way in my role.”

“Additionally, I now have a say in the IT decisions within the company, which I find very valuable. Even though some ideas might get rejected, it’s strongly encouraged to share your vision and make a difference.”

Mmm, Belgian fries…

“Outside of work, I’ve been exploring Belgium. I found Dinant very beautiful and even went rowing there for the first time in my life. And, of course, I’ve been getting to know and appreciate Belgian cuisine, especially the fries! Although I’m still getting used to the fact that you all love bread so much and don’t serve rice with every meal (laughs).”

“My biggest challenges are further integrating into Belgium and mastering Dutch, as it remains a difficult language. Nevertheless, I’m eager to continue building my life here. I’m grateful to everyone who has helped me get to where I am now, and I’m motivated to keep growing here.”