Evans’ Story: Achieving the American Dream

Evans, a medical laboratory scientist from Kenya, started his U.S. journey back in 2022, when he applied to Conexus MedStaff to pursue his American dream. In 2024, he finally made the move and now, after living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a year and a half, Evans shares his experience.

A passion for care

My interest in medical laboratory science stemmed from my commitment to provide objective evidence for the presence of disease and to evaluate the effectiveness of patient management strategies. I started off my career during the Covid-19 pandemic which made it easy for me to find a job since there was a high demand for laboratory scientists.The thing I love about working in the laboratory is that I get to find out for a fact what’s making a person sick; from finding abnormal cells in the body to isolating bugs from blood or other body fluids.

From Kenya to the United States

I decided to move to the United States to gain professional experience in a developed country, achieve financial stability, and explore greater opportunities within the medical laboratory field. As I was searching for avenues to immigrate, a friend of mine referred me to Conexus, a well-known healthcare staffing agency in the U.S., and after filling out a simple application, my journey started.

But, leaving Kenya to start all over away from my family and friends that I had known all my life was a huge sacrifice. The hardest part of the immigration process was enduring the long wait times. I consider myself fortunate to have been selected through the H-1B lottery system, which made my journey a bit shorter than most.

During the waiting period, I learned the value of patience and the importance of focusing on what was within my control. That mindset helped me stay grounded and eased much of the anxiety that comes with uncertainty.

The new normal

Adjusting to life in the U.S. has been fairly smooth for me. Work life isn’t too different from back home, though here, every “i” has to be dotted and every “t” crossed. The abundance of resources, however, makes getting work done so much easier.

The one area that’s been a bit tougher is the social life. It takes time to build genuine connections in a new environment. People here are very independent, and it can feel a bit lonely at times as everyone seems to move within their own busy worlds.

What I genuinely enjoy about living in the U.S. is the abundance of opportunities that create a sense of financial stability and growth. I also appreciate how organized and reliable the systems are, and how well the infrastructure is maintained; it makes everyday life feel smoother and more predictable. Santa Fe is a calmer, less busy city compared to many others, and that suits me well as I look to find my grounding in the U.S. It’s an historic place filled with breathtaking art galleries, and the local cuisine is simply amazing.

Outside of the microscope, I love taking my family on road trips to soak in the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and the lush forests of New Mexico. There’s something refreshing about driving through winding roads surrounded by nature’s beauty. We also make it a point to explore different cuisines, sampling flavors from around the world in the many cozy restaurants and local dining spots we come across.

Looking back, moving forward

Since moving to the U.S., my life has become more settled and fulfilling. The experience has given me the opportunity to explore more, grow in my career, and appreciate life from a broader perspective. The new challenges I’ve encountered in my profession have been both rewarding and inspiring.

To my fellow medical laboratory scientists in Kenya, I can confidently say that working in the U.S. is truly living the dream. The systems here are highly structured, and everything we learned from textbooks is applied in real-life practice with precision and consistency.

Working with Conexus has been a remarkable experience. Their support throughout the entire journey, from immigration to professional adjustment, has been exceptional. The team is always available, responsive, and genuinely invested in my success. Conexus has truly been a guiding partner in helping me build a comfortable and fulfilling life here in the U.S.