My First Time Abroad

It was really an exciting experience; however, I had mixed feelings while leaving. I was happy, because it was an opening of a new chapter in my life, and I could start to do the things that I had always wanted to do and will experience a new environment, meeting new people at work and lots of travel to do in different places.

On the other hand, I was also sad, because I had to leave my family and friends that are likely the most important people in my life, my beloved hometown and local food that I love and have grown so accustomed to. I'm gonna miss everything and thinking what would be my life when I came back after I give up my work, I have to leave them behind and start out all by myself in a foreign country.

I remember when I boarded the plane, I felt a really strange feeling on the flight; it was a sort of feeling not knowing what to expect when I landed. All I know in my mind that I have to take whatever jobs come along which will not be within my chosen career field, or even close to my major in order to be able to afford to stay in UK.

I also recall during my trip to my new accommodation, I was so fascinated with the new surroundings that I was in but my rent is quite expensive. But well, I have been living in the UK for about 6 months now, and I'm used to the country now.

It might sound glamorous getting to travel abroad for work, but it's really not.

Basically, some of the overseas Pinoys lend money from families and sometimes sold properties for expenses going or working abroad. Like me, I had a debt to pay while staying here and need to pay them whilst working every month. I've took a business course in a university in our country but then I work as a Health Care Assistant in a Nursing Home here. I believe it’s not only me; there are lots of overseas Pinoys that are working which is not in their field. Their field of expertise might be useful in some cases where our country need it most like our Nurses, Engineers and many more.

So, why I go abroad?

I have spent many years working in a city and even in my hometown in a variety of jobs but still I don't think I could find a permanent job so I decided to go abroad, it was a decision that was almost certainly taking me into new territory in the way I lived my life.

I go abroad with full of hope that someday I could grab an opportunity to make a change in a lifestyle with a goal of saving money for good. I want to pursue my dream when I come back home to become a successful businessman someday that could generate even a little employment in my community while serving my family as well within our place.

It is hardly surprising more people are choosing to work abroad - there are many reasons to go down when making the choice to do this.

It is redundancy that causes this move for many people - no jobs out there for their skills within their community.

 

I hope leaders in our government will hear our different stories here in PEBA and is sincere to their promise for a change and development of our country. That they will give importance to all the graduates to find a right job and not encourage them to go abroad. When this happen (if it happens) overseas Pinoys will go back home with joy and happiness, finally we can live together with our families and can support them locally.