Voices: Catherine Duré- Don’t Give up Even if it Feels Uncertain
August 17, 2026
Human Resource Management alum finds strength through hardship.
Like many future students, when Catherine Duré was applying for post-secondary education, she had a list of colleges and universities.
At Holland College, one thing stood out completely: the Recruitment and First-Year Advising team.
“Unlike other institutions, they were incredibly supportive, patient and genuinely invested in helping me navigate my options,” Duré said.
The level of care and empathy she received made her decision clear, she said.
“One advisor in particular, Shannon Rush, guided me through every step of the process. She was always just a phone call or email away, which made a huge difference during such an uncertain time.”
Challenges to moving away from the Caribbean
Duré’s journey from Haiti to Canada wasn’t easy.
“I had to gather documents, complete prerequisite courses and overcome several challenges back home before I could even be admitted,” she said. “There were moments when it felt overwhelming.”
One of the challenges was getting her English proficiency through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), so she could be admitted into the Human Resource Management program.
“I had to take the TOEFL exam online on a specific date and time, but where I’m from, access to electricity isn’t guaranteed. There are times when we go months without power, and when it does come, it’s unpredictable. Sometimes you only realize you had electricity overnight because the fridge is cold in the morning.”
She also had to complete two prerequisite courses over the summer before she could be admitted.
“That meant relying on online classes again, without consistent electricity or internet. There were days I had electricity but then the network would be down completely, making it almost impossible to plan or stay on track,” she said. “I think I must have paid for and scheduled that TOEFL exam at least three times due to cancellations and power or connectivity issues before I was finally able to complete it.”
Nothing is guaranteed in Haiti.
“You have to learn how to adapt, pivot quickly, and make sacrifices just to move forward.”
However, the college’s motto: “You’ll make it here,” became her inspiration.
“It felt like a promise I held onto during the hardest parts of the process. Honestly, it proved true when I arrived at Holland College.”
She arrived in Canada in September 2022, and that’s when everything started to work out.
“Because of the support system at the college, I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I felt prepared and supported. Honestly, even the cold weather didn’t phase me; I had already overcome much bigger challenges just to get here.”
The promise of a better life pushed her forward.
“I needed a break from the instability and uncertainty back home, and going back to school to build a better future felt like my only real way forward. It wasn’t just a goal; it was a necessity.”
The support she received from the advisors at Holland College also played a huge role in her success.
“They helped make something that felt almost impossible seem achievable. I felt like I just needed one door to open, and they helped open that door for me.”
She didn’t lost sight of where she began.
“No matter what challenges I face, I remind myself of everything I had to overcome just to get here. That perspective keeps me motivated, focused, and moving forward.”
Feeling welcome and accepted
Belonging is having a safe space where can she be comfortable in her surroundings and be herself, she said.
“It’s that sense of ease where you don’t feel like you have to explain who you are or prove your place. Wherever I feel that sense of comfort and acceptance, I consider it home. And for me, home isn’t limited to a place; it can be a country, a city, a community, a person or even something as simple as my dog.”
As an immigrant, there was always a part of her where that felt like an outsider, and it was something she had come to accept.
Belonging happened step-by-step.
“Through being included in different parts of academic life; interacting with classmates, engaging with instructors, and feeling supported by the college community, I slowly became more comfortable being myself.”
Inclusion makes the biggest difference, she said.
“It creates an environment where, even if you come from a different background, you can still feel at ease and valued,” she said. “So rather than one defining moment, it was a series of experiences that helped me grow into myself and feel more at home in the space.”
Advice for present and future Holland College students
Take advantage of all resources available, she said.
“Connect with advisors, ask for help when needed, and do not hesitate to reach out when things feel overwhelming,” she said. “Lead with kindness and avoid comparing your journey to others. Everyone’s path is different, and you will get where you need to be in your own time.”
Final advice
No matter how uncertain things get, never give up on your future, she said.
“I think my experience shows that even when the path feels uncertain or extremely difficult, it is still possible to move forward if you keep pushing and do not give up,” she said. “At the time, it does not always feel like things will work out, but I have learned that what is worth achieving is rarely easy.”
She hopes her journey can encourage others to stay consistent, trust the process and keep going even when they cannot yet see the outcome.
Written by Dean Ramos
Journalism & Communications, Class of 2026.
This story is part of the Voices Project, a collaborative initiative between the Holland College Office of Culture and Inclusion and Holland College's Journalism and Communications Program. Additional stories from The Voices Project can be found on The Surveyor's Substack, which will return in October.
General School of Visual Arts and Journalism
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