Going from high school to the real world can carry a host of challenges, but it tends to also see triumphs. In the Upper Keys, look no further than Coral Shores High School 2012 graduate Anouk Bellion.
Despite the struggles she faces when it comes to staying in the states, the licensed nurse is chasing her dreams and working on the front lines, testing and vaccinating community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Born in France, Bellion came to the U.S. and the Florida Keys in 2008 with her mom, Alex, and dad, Pierre-Marc, and her sister, Emma. Bellion says it wasn’t an easy move, having not spoken English before. In due time, however, she’d become fluent in the language — a welcoming Keys community would be the impetus behind her desire to quickly learn.
“I could tell the Keys community was strong and close,” Bellion said. “I wanted to get to know everybody.”
Upon graduation, Bellion entered a college search process that was unfamiliar to her. She applied to several places and ended up choosing the University of Florida. With interests in science, medicine and children, she prepared to declare nursing as her major. She couldn’t start nursing studies until her junior year, however, so she chose to pursue an education in family youth and community science, with a plan to eventually get into accelerated nursing program.
“I always had an interest in medicine,” Bellion said. “When my sister was little and sick, I always knew what to give her. My mom would supervise me, but she always allowed me to help out.
“I thought about pharmacy, but I knew I wouldn’t get the interaction with kids and patients,” she continued. “I thought about maybe becoming a teacher, but I realized I could do that later on. My roommate was a nursing student and told me what she was learning. I thought it was something I’d enjoy since you’re helping people.”
Bellion started her college career at the University of Florida on her parents’ visa they had through their business in Cafe Moka, but she was kicked off once she turned 21. She secured a student visa through graduation in 2017. She then received a work visa upon taking a position as a paraprofessional at Key Largo School.
“They actually wanted to keep me as a kindergarten teacher full-time. I thought about doing that to make more money for nursing school, but my visa seemed to catch up with me again,” she said. “I was allowed a work visa for a year for something I studied. Teaching went with the social science part, so I was able to do that.”
Her paraprofessional career lasted a year with the visa.
Pursuing a nursing degree was back in Bellion’s mind as she applied to a number of programs. Another hurdle came about for Bellion: many accelerated programs were not accepting student visas. While frustrated, she was told to look into nursing school at the College of the Florida Keys. Sure enough, she was able to apply right away and start in fall 2018.
While residing in the Keys, Bellion’s college career was subject to exorbitant out-of-state tuition costs since she was technically an international student. Help from then-state Rep. Holly Raschein and assistant at the time, Erin Muir, allowed Bellion to pay the in-state rate while attending the University of Florida.
“That’s a big part of the Keys community,” she said. “I didn’t ask for help. I don’t know who told who, but it was amazing to have this happen to me.”
At 24, Bellion couldn’t claim residency with her parents, thus forcing her to pay out-of-state tuition during her education at the College of the Florida Keys. But her parents helped along the way as she helped out at the cafe in exchange.
Having graduated from the nursing program in May 2020, Bellion again had the need for a work visa. She searched for a job and was set to work with the travel nursing company ADEX Medical Staffing at a hospital in Rockville, Maryland last fall. Not only was she on the way to securing a work visa, but after two-and-a-half years, she’d be able to be sponsored for a green card by ADEX. She signed the paperwork last summer to begin.
An immigration freeze hit not a week later. It not only put a halt to green cards for new immigrants, but it also put a temporary stop to work visas for skilled workers like Bellion.
“They said they couldn’t file a visa and hire me right now. It was terrible. I was getting ready to move,” she said. “They told me to find another job until April 2021, and hopefully the freeze will end.”
With a freeze in place, she searched for work and a visa. That’s when she decided to work with the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County last November. Since then, she’s conducted COVID-19 testing on county residents from Key West to Key Largo.
She also supervised a mass vaccination clinic on March 6 at the Murray Nelson Government Center. Some 400 vaccines were given to residents.
“I actually used to come into the health department as a patient. I didn’t have health insurance being international,” she said. “I have interest in public health and helping people like me who don’t have access to insurance and health care.”
The freeze on temporary work visas is set to expire March 31, meaning Bellion will be able to retrieve the visa she needs to continue her work. Unfortunately, Bellion says she can’t stay in the Keys with her visa expiring next month. She’s set to go to Maryland to begin her work. As much as she’d love to stay here, she said it’s been a pleasant experience in the Keys.
“I’m glad I was able to help the community like this,” she said.
Bellion said her goal is to become a pediatric or a neonatal nurse.
Like many Upper Keys students, Bellion was able to receive financial assistance through the Upper Keys Rotary Club. Through its signature event in the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market, around $200,000 is raised to support students’ next journey, whether it be college or trade school.
“It helped me a lot,” she said. “When I was on my parents’ visa, I wasn’t allowed to work at all. I used it for books, housing and anything I could use it for.”
For the first time in 26 years, the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market wasn’t held in person due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A fundraising effort continues, however. Those wishing to donate can visit www.keysrotary.us or send a check payable to Upper Keys Rotary Foundation to P.O. Box 1514, Tavernier, FL 33070.
