Triumphs and Downfall - How to be an OFW?
Life being away from your family is not what everyone dreamt of, There are times that all you can do is go to your own corner and reminisce all the things you are doing when you are together.
All are just happy thoughts, right? But what if you cannot do anything? You're away and you carry with you the promise of helping them with their needs
What is OFW?
OFW or Overseas Filipino Workers are a land-based worker of Filipino in origin who work outside the Philippines for a limited or definite period of time. They were often called Bagong Bayani wherein they're known to bring income to the Government thru their remittances.
So, How is it to be an OFW
Being an OFW is hard, We carry the pressure of expectations from our companies/employers that Filipinos are hard workers and brings world-class talent in any fields we choose to work in. As a worker outside your own country, you have to deal with so many differences/barriers with your fellow workers.
such as :
- Language
- Religion
- Culture
- Climate
Let's talk about it one by one...
Language
There is an estimated of almost 10.2 million Filipinos outside the Philippines that deals with different languages depends on what country they are in. I've talked to a lot of Pinoys and most of them find it hard to learn the language of the country they are in. There is a big advantage for Filipinos for being an English speaking country wherein we are able to communicate easily to other nationalities using English which is the international Language, But, what if the country you are going doesn't speak English like in Saudi Arabia, Japan, Korea, etc.
To be able to work properly you have to blend to your surroundings, first you have to understand what they are saying and learning a Language you don't even hear being spoken in your country of origin is really hard. The secret is you have to listen carefully how it is pronounced, and very important is don't hesitate to ask questions what He is talking about, don't you ever, ever pretend that you understand everything.
Trust me in no time you will be able to understand them and if you're eager enough to learn, maybe you'll be speaking just like them too.Religion
Talks over Religion is quite interesting, actually this is the topic which we can call undebatable cause everyone has its own prerogative over religion, everyone is right in their own way and beliefs. In religion, we cannot say that I am right and you are misguided cause everything is right according to each and everyone's faith.
So why do we need to consider religion as one of the big factors in working overseas? It is because religion affects the relationship with your co-workers and the key to surpassing this barrier is called respect as much as we respect our own religion we have to consider respecting theirs as well especially here in the middle east where Islam is a big factor of their daily lives. So why not stop condemning each other and try to respect each and everyone right?
Culture
Just like Religion, Culture plays an important role on how you can work and live well outside your country. There are 195 countries around the world today all of them displays different culture.
As an expat in a certain country, you have to study their culture. It will give you tons of ideas what is prohibited on a certain day like the holy month of Ramadan wherein you cannot spit, eat, drink and smoke or any other things that give pleasure for a month until the sun sets. You better get ready to see those women wearing all black with only their eyes is available for you to see.Climate
Last but definitely not the least is weather. Before entering other countries you should be knowledgeable also about the climate and weather condition. We all know that it is hard to get sick without our mom, aye? So, you have to be ready for whats about to come. Base on my experience here in the middle east, the temperature can go up to almost 46 degree Celsius during summer and as cold as 14 degree Celsius during winter. Weather condition is almost sunny and very minimal chances of raining.
There are a lot more barriers you will encounter once you enter the world of working overseas, it's up to you whether you accept the challenge and try to penetrate it or go around and find a way not to run through it.
Triumphs
Working outside your country is so much fun. You will meet new friends that will accompany you thru all your journey. Some of them may even last forever.
Dealing with a lot of people is one of the best experience you'll ever have. You will learn something from them especially everyone's favorite, FOOD!! There are so many new dishes for you to learn from the main course to side dishes, from cold to hot beverages, all you have to do be eager to learn and spend some time to it. Back to the topic, what is the triumph of being an OFW? The triumph of being an OFW is simply to become SUCCESSFUL. Being an OFW brings so much promise for your self, all people who make this type of sacrifices are surely be aiming for a better future. So let's break this down one by one according to my own perception.- Career
- Financial Stability
- Assets
- Financial Support
This is the four things I'm looking forward to being an OFW. For me to be able to achieve all of this four aspects makes me says that I can officially go back in my home country. Let's elaborate this again one by one.
Career
Building a career opportunity is one thing all of us are trying to achieve and one of it is going overseas. We Filipinos know that we are having a hard time looking for a stable job and the final solution is to go outside the country. Many of us believed that having a stable and decent job is a key to a successful future and being an OFW is one of the best ways to establish yourself. Grabbing a job here in the middle east is quite easy than trying your luck elsewhere companies here hires enough manpower and never hesitates to take workers whom they think to have enough skills to perform the said task. It's up to you now on how you will perform simply by giving your best. And let me tell you something, The long you persevere and be loyal to them the higher is your chance to be promoted. You might end up as one of the highest-ranking officials in your company. So, Go for it!!
Financial Stability
Financial stability can be define as the state wherein you are resistant to any economic shocks or sudden decline of economy. Being financially stable is one of the goals of any person especially OFWs, achieving this is almost the sole purpose of why we are here overseas. Success can be seen in the financially stabled person. A person who is not worried about any financial problems that may come in the future.
Assets
Aside from financial stability, one of the biggest factor why we go and work outside the country is assets. Assets are things that we possess such as cars, houses, lands, company, money that can reach value and available to meet debts. OFW also become triumphant when He manages to possess things that make him stable at the time of his retirement, many OFW is looking for investments to maintain their financial status and assets not only for themselves but for their children. This factor is one of the reasons why some OFWs are working so hard especially for their dream to own a house someday. Some assets come in the form of gadgets such as iPads, Mobile phones, Appliances, etc..
Financial Support
I guess this is the main and most important reason we are here working in a foreign country. It is financial support, We Filipinos are very supportive of our loved ones especially our parents. We even often give everything and save nothing just to support our parents financially and that makes us a lot of joy even if it is a hard fought battle we are dealing every day for 2 years or even more.
For some, It's not their parents they are supporting but their own children. We all know that being a parent needs a huge amount of patience, hard work, and courage to be able to provide them all their needs such as clothes, food, toys, and more important is education. Dreaming big for their children is something parents always have and to fulfill that dream sometimes we need to sacrifice.
Achieving this four goals makes me say that I am fully successful as an OFW. My decision of going outside my country is such a gamble that all I need is to play all my cards to win this game. Setting these goals as my target gives me inspiration and greater visions. Along with my family, I'm striving hard to be successful someday and retired without thinking of losing everything and to have enough money to support my family and my future children.
DownFall
Not all workers here overseas succeed some fails and go home without anything. You cannot blame anyone for failing, cause there are so many reasons why and how things happen here outside the Philippines. Some of it is because we didn't even think and just go for whatever the world dictates us. It is how our destiny plays with us it is either we give up or stand up and try again. Life is too playful and there are so many temptations in front of us. It's up to you if you will let yourself be defeated by these elements or resist it and think for a better future. Here is the list of what I think can be a reason for our DOWNFALL.
- Financial Support
- Shopping
- Homesickness
- Hang-outs
Let's start
Financial Support
Why financial support is on top of my list? It is because the fact that we OFW provides money for our loved ones sometimes becomes a burden because we give help that much they become too reliant on us and contented on what we are giving them. The result is we cannot save anything for ourselves leaving us with less money for our own future. We can avoid this by giving them money for them to keep and use for their own welfare like putting it on business. We must teach them how to invest and save for their self and not rely on the money that we are giving them.
Shopping
This is what girls do love!! Then what is this doing on my list? We all want to give or send our loved ones something from other countries or bring home with you something that they will definitely love. Over-shopping and spending that much money on items will surely drain up your wallet and leave you with fewer savings that hopefully you can use for your own future. Shop enough for your family and your necessity not for things that you don't need that much or without longterm benefits.
Homesickness
Homesickness is one of the worst enemies of an OFW like me. It is the main reason why people away from home ending up with the wrong decision to go home without anything and worst they even pay for the visa and ticket for going home with an unfinished contract. It can affect the person in so many ways both professional and personal. The cannot focus on their work and be alone everytime can cause health problems and some meet their tragic end. This is a psychological problem that every OFW must fight. Focus on things that make you happy and forget everything even just a bit.
Hangouts
After long day of work we use to hang with friends, right? Hang-outs like going to the bar or just drinking home can affect our financial stats here abroad. Going somewhere requires us to spend some money. Some lead us to vices like cigarettes and liquor which is ok for some time but excessive partying will lead you into bankruptcy. It's hard if you don't have any money here I've tried it.
We all know how hard it is to earn money. We as a Filipino needs to persevere not only for our future but also for the welfare of our family waiting for our support back in our country. Always remember that we are here to fulfill our goals so we must tell our family that life isn't that great here like everyone knows back home. We are not rich and we work hard with every blood and sweat they can imagine just to give them a better life
I've written all my opinion and I am waiting for yours in the comments. For those who are trying to go abroad, I must say good luck and God be with you all
