From Iran to the UK: Arezoo’s Journey as a HallMark Official Veterinarian

Meet Arezoo, one of HallMark’s Official Veterinarians, whose journey shows that with determination, resilience and the right support, building a new life and career in the UK is absolutely possible.

Arezoo grew up in Iran, where her love for animals began at a young age. At 18, she made her first big move to Turkey to study veterinary medicine at Ankara University. It was a new language, a new culture and a whole new world to adapt to, but Arezoo embraced the challenge. “Those years taught me independence and resilience,” she says. “Turkey became my second home before I made the next big move.”

That next step was the United Kingdom, where she saw an opportunity to build a career in veterinary public health, and HallMark quickly stood out. “I wanted to work somewhere supportive and meaningful. HallMark had great reviews, helped overseas vets integrate and offered real opportunities to grow. When I learned about the OV role, I knew it was the right path as it combined animal welfare, food safety and public service.”

Arriving in the UK was, in her words, “quite an adventure.” From finding accommodation to learning to drive on the other side of the road, the first few months brought their fair share of challenges, including a broken car mirror and a window mishap. But Arezoo faced every hurdle with humour and determination.

What made the biggest difference, she says, was the support she received from HallMark.
“They didn’t just hand me a job and leave me alone. They helped me with training, paperwork, accommodation, and just generally making sure I didn’t feel lost. Having that support in the background gave me the space to focus on my work and adjust to life in the UK without feeling overwhelmed.”

Today, Arezoo feels proud of how far she has come. “The things that felt like big struggles are now the stories I laugh about and share with others. Each step, even the difficult ones, helped me grow. I feel more settled in my role, more confident in myself, and I’ve started to build a life here that feels truly mine.”

When asked what she enjoys most, she says,
“What I enjoy most about my work is that my company really supports us, which makes a big difference. Every day brings something new to learn, and I feel like I’m growing both professionally and personally. It can be challenging at times, but I like that it pushes me forward and gives me confidence.

Outside of work, I enjoy the independence I have here and the opportunities to build a good life for myself. Living in the UK has been full of new experiences, but those moments also make me stronger and more adaptable. I also like exploring new places, meeting new people, and slowly making this place feel more like home.”

Her advice for others considering a similar path is simple and sincere.
“My main advice would be to stay patient and not give up when things feel overwhelming. Moving to a new country, starting work, and building a life from scratch is never easy. There will be challenges like learning how things work differently here, dealing with setbacks, or even small struggles like driving or finding a place to live. But every difficulty also teaches you something and makes you stronger.

I’d also say, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I’ve learned that people are often kinder and more supportive than you expect. And try to enjoy the small wins along the way, because they add up. One day you look back and realise how far you’ve come. Everyone’s journey is unique, but if you keep moving forward and believe in yourself, it does get easier and it’s worth it.”

Arezoo’s story is a reminder that with courage, persistence and the right support, your career and life can flourish anywhere, even thousands of miles from home.