Growing up in Bangladesh then moving to Canada was not an easy adjustment for Mourin Moyen. In her home country, she had studied nursing and arrived in 2018. Driving past Durham College, she decided to attend the Open House. While there, she realized the college had an Addictions and Mental Health program.
“I’m a Muslim girl, I do hijab and everything, so, first day when I entered into the class, I could see even in my classmate’s eye, like, Oh, okay, this girl is Muslim, she is doing hijab and everything, she’s not gonna understand.”
Moyen found the Addictions and Mental Health program to be intense, but rewarding. While in the program, Moyen said her professors were very helpful.
“I had some of the best professors who not only guided me academically but also provided support during challenging times,” she said.
Professor Ann Kidd taught Moyen more than once with courses such as Youth and Family Counselling, Field Placement, and Case Management.
“Mourin was always in class on time, she’d stay after class working on assignments and helping others. She was very kind hearted always came to class with a smile,” said Kidd.
At Durham College, Moyen valued practical, hands-on learning which she says played a crucial role in preparing her for her career.
“Mourin was a hard working student. She was dedicated to her studies and made sure she understood what she had to do,” said Carl Legault, who taught Moyen Trauma-Informed Practice and Addiction II.
“Overall, each professor brought expertise, compassion and support to their subjects, shaping me into the professional I am today. I’m grateful to each of them for their dedication and guidance,” said Moyen, who graduated from the program in 2024 after doing her field placement at Durham College in the International Office.
Filippo Savone an advisor in the International Office at DC assists students with fees and offers one-on-one guidance.
“I’ve worked with Mourin since her placement, she had a very positive attitude she was very helpful with the students who came in. She treated everyone kindly and she brought coffees for everyone,” Savone said.
After completing her placement, Moyen was hired as a student mentor for international students at Durham College, a job she still has. Moyen said she became a mentor because she wanted to help students with the same struggles she faced.
“If I can help anyone, it would be great. So that they don’t face same difficulties like me,” said Moyen who also works part-time as a mental health/addiction worker at Community Care Durham.
Moyen said when she’s not work and has some free time she likes to travel and spend time with her famliy. Moyen said she hopes to continue evolving her education and career by helping those in need.
Looking towards the future, Moyen said she is considering pursuing a master’s degree to become a psychotherapist and she plans to continue to be involved with global initiatives.
“I’ve always wanted to help people who are struggling because when you don’t have the right support it can be hard to ask for help. So I want to be that person for people,” said Moyen.