Many overseas Filipino workers I’ve met agree that it is very important to be prepared mentally, emotionally and spiritually before leaving.
An OFW has to go through a lot of difficulties in the course of working abroad. One has to adjust to a different culture, strange laws, not to mention a different climate. This is apart from enduring the loneliness of being away from your family.
Here are some tips for those who are leaving the country to work overseas for the first time:
Learn as much as you can about your destination country—its people, culture, food, language, among others. You can use the Internet to find relevant information about your country of destination. You’d be surprised how past and current OFWs from the same country are willing to share personal experiences in forums or blogs. I personally like to find commonalities between the Philippines and my destination country, which I always bring up when I meet new people.
Plan how you will communicate with your loved ones on a cost-effective and regular basis. Some OFWs spend their first salary to buy a laptop computer so they can communicate with their families through Skype. This may be a significant investment and can motivate you to save towards it as, in the long term, you will save more.
Maintain your favorite pursuits. With a new working routine it would be difficult to enjoy all your leisure or spiritual pursuits. However, do find time to incorporate a few of them in your day—whether it is praying, exercising, listening to a favorite song or taking a few minutes to reminisce over photos and letters from family and friends.
Karlene Denolo Hayworth, a Filipina who moved to England to pursue operatic singing, kept busy with rehearsals, auditions and performances and explored new interests like photography, cycling and camping. “I took advantage of everything that the United Kingdom had to offer. I visited museums and parks, went to exhibitions and went to see many concerts, performances and productions, and traveled around to enjoy city life and the idyllic countryside,” she shared.
Know you’re not going to be alone in your “new home.” Try to find out if you have friends or relatives living in your destination country. If you are part of a church or social organization, find out if they have a chapter in your destination country. Also, check out the Philippine Embassy for any events they may host. There’s nothing like being with those who have similar interests as yours. They’re also the first ones you can run to in cases of emergency. “I made an effort to familiarize myself in my local area and got involved in the community by becoming a member of the local library, getting involved in volunteer organizations and doing some charity work,” said Karlene.
Stay true to your roots. When Karlene felt a bit homesick, she would listen to Filipino music while waiting for the bus or shopping for grocery. She would also attempt to make adobo to remind her of her mom’s cooking and would snack on Filipino delicacies such as dried mangoes and chocnut as comfort food. To her, these “keep you real and grounded and remind you of your roots.”
And always keep a positive attitude. You’ll adjust sooner than you think.
Patricia Riingen is Senior Vice President of Western Union for Pacific and Indochina. Western Union has Pinoy Care handbooks that cover what to expect at selected destination countries of OFWs. They are distributed at predeparture orientation seminars and are also available at the new OFW Center in Kalaw. For questions and comments, email BetterTimes@westernunion.com