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A change in altitude and perspective
From the heights of La Paz, Bolivia, to the shores of Nelson, New Zealand, Dr. Andrés Contreras Pierola has journeyed far – not just in miles, but in life.
With a 16-year career as a medical doctor and 11 years as a specialist in internal medicine, Andrés brought a wealth of experience when he decided to tackle a Master of Applied Management(external link), majoring in healthcare management, at NMIT.
“I was on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador,” Andrés says. “It was a very shocking experience that even led me to be separated from my family for weeks to avoid transmission.”
“As a result, to be able to share more as a family and live each day to the fullest, we decided to have an extreme change in life.”
Andrés and his family were always interested in New Zealand and NMIT was a recognised institution with an attractive syllabus structure.
“Also, when we started researching the city [Nelson], we felt it was the ideal place for this family adventure,” he says.
For his thesis, Andrés explored complementary and alternative therapies (CAMs) in hospice care. He investigated how these therapies could improve operational efficiency in New Zealand hospices, generating plenty of interest from healthcare professionals.
“I had the opportunity to present the results at the Australia New Zealand Society of Palliative Care (ANZSPM) Tensions in Palliative Care MDT Hui 2024” Andrés says.
Studying at NMIT wasn’t without its challenges, however.
“I had to become a student again in a language other than my native language, with a different teaching model than the one I was used to,” Andrés says.
“However, I must admit that the rules were very clear from the beginning, and we had a clear path to follow. SANITI's [NMIT’s Student Association] support in various aspects, from personal to academic support, was also beneficial.”
Looking ahead, Andrés hopes to contribute to the New Zealand health system, focusing on more respectful and understanding healthcare strategies.
His advice for anyone in a similar situation? “Be resilient, stay connected with your support network, and embrace the experience day by day.”
Learn more about the Master of Applied Management(external link) programme.
