The International Care Collective podcast

Welcome to a brand-new series of The International Care Collective Podcast.

In our opening episode, we meet Mohamad Fontenele, a dietitian who arrived in the UK in February 2025 and joined the NHS just one month later. Mohamad shares his experience of relocating to the UK, what he loves about living here, and how becoming part of the NHS has allowed him to support people when they need it most.

Passionate about making a difference, Mohamad reflects on the pride he feels in his role and the personal and professional growth that comes from caring for others. He also discusses the contribution that internationally educated professionals make to both the NHS and wider society, offering an inspiring message of hope for anyone considering a similar journey.

A heartfelt conversation about opportunity, belonging, and building a new life in the UK.

Prefer to watch? Follow and subscribe on YouTube by clicking below:

The International Care Collective - Podcast - YouTube

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🎙️ Mic check… we’re back! 🩵

Season 2 of The International Care Collective Podcast arrives on 27 October 2026, and we can’t wait to welcome you into the conversation!

Expect more stories, more laughter and more chances to meet the incredible international colleagues helping shape our healthcare community. We’re talking identity, belonging, starting again and everything that makes us human with honest conversations and plenty of heart.

Whether you’re joining us on your commute, popping us on while making dinner or watching with a cuppa, there’s a place for you here. 🌍☕

🎧 Listen and follow on your favourite podcast platform:

https://podfollow.com/1845314796

📺 Prefer to watch? Subscribe on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNE5dZul1O6fkUNNFxKyAqg

Hit follow, tell a friend and join us for Season 2!

Because together we’re better.

We’re humans before anything else, so be kind and be human. 🩵

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A few days ago on social media, we shared the news that The International Care Collective Podcast had been long-listed in the Impact Category at the British Podcast Awards .

To say we were surprised would be an understatement.

What started as an idea to create a space where internationally educated healthcare professionals could share their stories has grown into a truly global community. We’ve had the privilege of hearing inspiring stories of resilience, courage, kindness, belonging and professional achievement from colleagues across healthcare and around the world.

This recognition is not just for our team. It belongs to every guest who has trusted us with their story, every listener who has tuned in, every organisation that has supported us, and every person who has shared an episode with a colleague or friend.

Now, voting has opened for the British Podcast Awards Listeners’ Choice Award in partnership with Spotify .

If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, found value in the conversations we’ve shared, or believe in the importance of celebrating the contribution of internationally educated healthcare professionals, we would be incredibly grateful for your support.

You can vote here:

Listeners' Choice Vote

Whatever happens next, I remain immensely proud of what our team has built together and of the community that has formed around these conversations.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far.

Season 2 is coming this autumn, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

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In the extended version of this episode, we revisit Sibghat (Sib), a Nuclear Medicine Technologist from Pakistan who arrived in the UK on 4th May 2024 and began his NHS career at University Hospitals Sussex on 14th May 2024. Moving to a new country and stepping into a different healthcare system was both exciting and challenging, but for Sib, it quickly became one of the most meaningful chapters of his life.

Sib shares what he loves most about working in the UK — the culture of compassion, teamwork, and respect that defines his department. His role in Nuclear Medicine blends advanced imaging with human connection, supporting accurate diagnoses while helping patients feel at ease during moments of uncertainty.

For Sib, this work is more than technical; it’s a privilege to be part of a patient’s journey, to bring kindness into clinical moments, and to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values. In this episode, he reflects on his transition, growth, and sense of belonging at UHSx, hoping his story inspires others and celebrates the diverse journeys that strengthen the NHS.

🔊 Whether you’re considering a move to the UK, working in healthcare, or simply curious about the impact of international professionals, this episode is full of insight and inspiration.

**Since recording, Sib has now attained a promotion within the same department and continues to #stayandthrive **

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In what was the final episode of season 1 of , we bring you a story of extraordinary resilience, conviction, and leadership.

In this Extended Bonus Edit of what was the final episode of the season1 of The International Care Collective‪ , we bring you a story of extraordinary resilience, conviction, and leadership. Our guest, Justine Musiime, is a Physiotherapist and, at the time of recording, an AHP Clinical Fellow for ‪NHS England

but her path to this achievement was far from easy.

Originally from Uganda, Justine faced more obstacles than most: visa complications, broken job role promises, and countless challenges that internationally educated professionals often endure behind the scenes. Yet with every setback, she powered forward—driven by purpose, courage, and a deep passion for the patients and colleagues she serves.

Today, Justine stands as a powerful advocate for international AHPs, championing fairness, equity, and visibility for globally trained professionals across the NHS. In this episode, she opens up about the barriers she overcame, the lessons she learned, and the strength it took to keep moving when the road ahead felt uncertain.

Her story is more than a personal journey—it is a testament to perseverance, community, and the transformative impact of international healthcare workers within the NHS.

As we close the season, Justine’s episode embodies the heart of this series: honesty, hope, and the incredible journeys of those who leave home to care for others.

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Yes, season two is coming later this year, and we're excited to be returning with more stories, conversations and collective joy.

We cannot wait to bring you back into the studio with us, but we didn't want to leave you waiting with nothing.

So here's a couple of gifts from us to you whilst you wait for season two.

We'll be releasing the extended episodes with Justine and Sibghat. Both of these conversations were amazing, but we had to edit them due to timing constraints, and we missed out on so much because of it.

We hope you enjoy the full-length episodes, and we cannot wait to share what we've been up to at 'Collective Towers'

From all of us here, remember, Be Kind and Be Human!

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Season 2 of The International Care Collective Podcast is on the way!

After an incredible first season, we’re returning later this year with more meaningful conversations, inspiring international voices, and the much‑loved Board of Joy.

We’d love your ideas for new Board of Joy questions — message us on socials or email [email protected].

Plus, look out for new Factual Friday bonus episodes spotlighting those who support international staff across the NHS.

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For the final episode of the season of The International Care Collective, we bring you a story of extraordinary resilience, conviction, and leadership. Our guest, Justine Musiime, is a Physiotherapist and, at the time of recording, an AHP Clinical Fellow for NHS England—but her path to this achievement was far from easy.

Originally from Uganda, Justine faced more obstacles than most: visa complications, broken job role promises, and countless challenges that internationally educated professionals often endure behind the scenes. Yet with every setback, she powered forward—driven by purpose, courage, and a deep passion for the patients and colleagues she serves.

Today, Justine stands as a powerful advocate for international AHPs, championing fairness, equity, and visibility for globally trained professionals across the NHS. In this episode, she opens up about the barriers she overcame, the lessons she learned, and the strength it took to keep moving when the road ahead felt uncertain.

Her story is more than a personal journey—it is a testament to perseverance, community, and the transformative impact of international healthcare workers within the NHS.

As we close the season, Justine’s episode embodies the heart of this series: honesty, hope, and the incredible journeys of those who leave home to care for others.

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In this episode of The International Care Collective, we hear the inspiring story of Dr. Rayanna Pereira, who began her career as an International Medical Graduate (IMG) after qualifying as a doctor in Brazil.

Rayanna moved to the UK in winter 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. Despite the challenges of relocating and adapting to a new healthcare system during such an uncertain time, she found strength in the kindness and support of colleagues who made her feel welcome in the NHS.

Today, Rayanna is a HIV/GUM trainee in Brighton, a role that reflects her resilience, determination, and passion for patient care. She shares her journey from those early days as an IMG to where she is now, highlighting the lessons learned, the people who helped along the way, and the opportunities that shaped her career.

Rayanna joined The International Care Collective podcast to connect with international colleagues who may be navigating similar paths and to give local colleagues insight into what it takes to transition into the NHS. Her story is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the diverse experiences that strengthen our healthcare system.

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In this episode, we dive into the importance of preceptorship for internationally educated healthcare professionals during their first year in the NHS — a critical time for building confidence, shaping professional identity, and setting the foundation for future success.

Joining us are two passionate leaders in clinical education:

• Katrina (Kat) Dela Vina, Senior Clinical Educator for Nursing Preceptorship at University Hospitals Sussex, who brings both expertise and personal experience as an internationally educated nurse. Kat shares her journey since arriving in the UK in 2016, reflecting on the kindness and sense of community she’s found here, and why guiding new colleagues through this formative stage is both a responsibility and an honour.

• Zoe Rothery, Interim Head of AHP Clinical Education and Neurological Physiotherapist, who started her NHS career in 2001. Zoe explains why education delivered in a person-centred, non-hierarchical way is key to valuing staff and supporting wellbeing. She also shares how her dual role as educator and clinician allows her to empower professionals and patients alike, creating mutual learning and respect.

Together, Kat and Zoe discuss the challenges international recruits face, the support systems that make a difference, and why preceptorship is essential for retention, wellbeing, and professional growth. This conversation celebrates diversity within the NHS and offers practical insights for anyone supporting or starting their journey.

🔊 Want to learn more about preceptorship? Check out the dedicated Preceptorship Podcast series here: https://www.youtube.com/@PreceptorshipTeam/videos

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