Working Abroad
By weird_oh_me
@LdeL0318 (6402)
Philippines
April 12, 2016 3:25am CST
Most people here in our country has a family member working abroad. Wherever country you go, you can see a fellowmen there. It became a notion here that life would be better if we can go and work overseas. Many are wishing for that, dreaming to go places to work and earn money.
Not me. I did not dream of leaving the country and work abroad. I am happy with my life here. I may not be earning big but I am earning enough to live a decent life. I don't want to live away from my family. My mom left and work abroad since I was 3 and goes home less often. I am now 33 and yet she doesn't have any plans of retiring yet. I don't want that to happen again. As much as I can, I would still choose to stay here.
27 people like this
28 responses
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
Indeed , it's so hard for those left here when one of their parents is working abroad . Some of the children would become wayward maybe because they are rebelling inside of them . Some spouses finds another woman or man as the case may be .
It's sad , when it's that , but they have to sacrifice a lot just to be able to give a good future to the children .
And just like you , my husband and daughter doesn't like me to go abroad and get them to be immigrants , so i gave up my desire of being a caregiver in Canada .
But i realized i am happy with what we have now . 
7 people like this
@LdeL0318 (6402)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@SIMPLYD Me and my mom lost a lot of time together. We cannot bring back the lost times anymore. But I must admit that I have lived a better life because of her sacrifices working abroad. But if I were to choose I'd rather grow up with her with a simple life rather thatn grow up without her by my side and have all the luxuries in life.
5 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@hereandthere Yes , my cousin and my friends all live there now . But hubby and daughter doesn't like to live there . So be it . I am happy that at least they told me , after i have been unsuccessfully looking for a sponsor from there .
5 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@simplyd why canada? you have relatives there?
4 people like this
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
12 Apr 16
Working abroad and living abroad is different. As you shall return when you are working abroad. It is not a long term plan. Perhaps you can earn better, but at the same time you don't have time for your family and friends. This is another loss. I agree that if it is not necessary, working abroad is not the first option.
3 people like this
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
12 Apr 16
@annierose In fact working abroad can be also risky. Once you can't get used to living there or can't earn as much as you expect, then you will feel very sad. And it is worse since you are alone.
2 people like this
@annierose (18974)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@youless Those things do not bother me. Maybe many will think that I am immature. But, I am really a curious person and want to have an experience for such. I have seen many who were able to conquer those things and are now enjoying their life.
1 person likes this
@annierose (18974)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
I have heard same comments from most of the people I talked with. Whenever I will say that I want to work abroad, they raised an eyebrow on me. It is like to say, what did I eat to think of such. I have my stable job and a good position at work so many think that my decision to work abroad is a crazy thing.
2 people like this
@annierose (18974)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
Your life is in your hands and you have the freedom to choose between staying in the country or living.
I have observed that those who have their families find it difficult to go abroad. Some go abroad and return. When my father went abroad, he just worked there for 3 years. When asked if he would return, he replied "not anymore." My father suffered so much emotionally there because that time he could only communicate using snail mails.
I have observed that those who have their families find it difficult to go abroad. Some go abroad and return. When my father went abroad, he just worked there for 3 years. When asked if he would return, he replied "not anymore." My father suffered so much emotionally there because that time he could only communicate using snail mails.2 people like this
@annierose (18974)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@hereandthere My brother got interested but his dream was not realized because the agency just cheated on him. Next to him was my sister who also dreamt of such but was not able to realize too because of health problem. My other sister do not have that dream of going abroad. She just want to stay here.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@annierose what about your siblings? are they also working abroad or interested like you?
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@annierose that's too bad for your siblings. i hope you make it someday.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
what about your siblings? did they follow your mother's path?
2 people like this
@rina110383 (24495)
•
12 Apr 16
I don't want to work abroad either. I'm satisfied with my source of income. If I'll leave my country, only for educational purposes. I've been wanting to obtain a foreign scholarship and study in one of the Ivy League schools.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
13 Apr 16
@rina110383 i had an online friend who had a scholarship in australia, came home afterwards, worked briefly with a local company, then got another scholarship in europe.
2 people like this
@rina110383 (24495)
•
13 Apr 16
@hereandthere Lucky one! I've been submitting applications every time I see scholarship grants offered by different embassies and international organizations. I'm not giving up. I know one day, someone will notice my application.
2 people like this
@sarameastrong (826)
• Surrey, British Columbia
13 Apr 16
I am currently working abroad here in canada ,and i wish i can live here for good soon.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
13 Apr 16
@sarameastrong how many years do you have to live in canada to become a permanent resident or citizen?
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
13 Apr 16
Good for you that you saw the down side of parents leaving the children to work abroad ..I feel so much for the children who grew up without their parents specially the mothers.. It must have been difficult for you growing up without your mom.. I'm sure you missed out bonding with your mom .. But maybe that's the only way she could have given you better opportunities in life like what you have now..
1 person likes this
@LdeL0318 (6402)
• Philippines
14 Apr 16
@epiffanie That story touched me, I guess life is really like that.
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
14 Apr 16
@LdeL0318 You know what, my parents didn't go abroad to work.. Maybe if one of them did, they won't end up having ten children that they were not able to support well .. They were around but I don't remember much bonding time with them.. And the worst part is that they programmed us the older kids to sacrifice for the other children they born into desperate poverty ..
Life is not fair sometimes is it? .. But we just live through all the ups and downs and hopefully we grow up emotionally and spiritually strong .. We then get to choose how we bring up our own children ..
1 person likes this
@annierose (18974)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
It is unavoidable when we are in a foreign country. I think it is a lifetime disease.
@annierose (18974)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@LdeL0318 I understand. I hope it is not yet late to make up for those years you were not together.
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
12 Apr 16
@LdeL0318 I think you could really say that about almost everyone around the world. Us English are everywhere lol.
1 person likes this
@LdeL0318 (6402)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
I understand, we all want to do everything that will make our family's life better. But having to grow up with a family working abroad is also not easy.
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
12 Apr 16
That's a shame that families get broken up when someone works abroad. I've seen a lot of Filipinos working on cruise ships, and most of them have plans to do it for just a few years. Then they have enough to set themselves up properly at home.
I'm sorry that your mom has been away for so long.
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
12 Apr 16
I don't blame you, it would be hard to be away from family.
1 person likes this
@LdeL0318 (6402)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
Life is tough here and stable jobs are rare to find, but I know I'll be happier here than working in a foreign land.
