Hien Huynh and Family

Alberta just what the doctor ordered

A great place to be – that’s how Hien Huynh describes Edmonton, Alberta. He, his wife Sock-Khim and their three daughters immigrated to Canada from Melbourne, Australia in 2001. They arrived in Toronto first, then chose to move west in 2003 when Hien was offered a job that “could not be matched.”

Originally from Vietnam, Hien is a paediatric gastroenterologist at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. Hien’s employer, Capital Health, now Alberta Health Services, recruited him through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program. The program helps Alberta attract and retain foreign nationals who have the skills Alberta needs and who would like to become permanent residents.

“The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program was very helpful in assisting us with all the forms, and guiding us through all of the paperwork,” explained Hien. “Each time we talked to people on the phone, they were always very friendly and helpful, and that made the immigration process a lot easier.”

Alberta’s highly-rated education system is one of the things that attracted Hien and his family to Edmonton. “The school system here is amazing, catering to a wide range of students from different ethnic backgrounds,” said Hien. “It’s also a very friendly, family-oriented city, it’s easy to get around, and it’s close to the stunning Rocky Mountains where there are many opportunities to go skiing in the winter, and hiking and camping in the summer.”

Before arriving in Canada, Hien encourages others to do their research, especially when it comes to the weather in Alberta! “Alberta winters can be extreme. We have never lived in a place that goes below 0 degrees Celsius, let alone minus-20 Celsius! We always make sure that the kids are dressed properly when they are outside and we bought a more reliable car for winter driving. If people are prepared, they will enjoy it a lot more,” laughed Hien.

 

Date Updated: Jan 14, 2010
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