Dr. Seyedehgiti Noghabaei, an internal medicine specialist, attended the June session of the Welcome Collaborative.

Dr. Seyedehgiti Noghabaei, an internal medicine specialist, found not only a place to practise but a welcoming community when she moved to Nova Scotia.

“I wanted a place where I could contribute clinically and build a life,” says Dr. Noghabaei. “Nova Scotia felt like that place.”

“I knew there was a real need for physicians here, and I felt that Nova Scotia offered a welcoming environment for internationally trained doctors like me.”

Originally trained in Iran, Dr. Noghabaei described her transition into the province’s health-care system as both rewarding and challenging. “The biggest surprise was how approachable and collaborative the system is,” says Dr. Noghabaei. “Colleagues are genuinely supportive, and there’s a strong sense of teamwork across disciplines.”

“It was refreshing to see how respectful and cooperative the working culture is here.”

Dr. Noghabaei’s experience with the Welcome Collaborative—a program designed to support physicians trained outside of Canada transition into practice—was a turning point. “It addressed practical details like billing and system navigation, but more importantly, it reassured me that I wasn’t alone,” says Dr. Noghabaei. “Meeting others transitioning into practising in Nova Scotia gave me confidence and a sense of community.”

Reflecting on her time in the Welcome Collaborative, Dr. Noghabaei said, “What has stayed with me the most is the human side of the program. It wasn’t just information—it was the feeling that we are seen, supported, and valued.”

“The overall warmth of the program was evident—it felt like people genuinely cared about our success and well-being. That meant a lot.”

Dr. Noghabaei encourages physicians trained outside of Canada to reach out and ask questions. “Asking for guidance doesn’t make you less capable. It actually builds trust and connection,” says Dr. Noghabaei.

Moving forward in her practice, she hopes to give back and help other physicians trained outside of Canada successfully transition into practice. “I truly hope I can support others in the same way the Welcome Collaborative helped me,” says Dr. Noghabaei.