5 Reasons To Work Abroad

I am a Filipino immigrant who came to the US to work as an occupational therapist. That said, there are several reasons why I decided to work in a different country.

1. Career opportunities: Working abroad can provide individuals with unique career opportunities outside their home country. In my case, I have always wanted to work with the elderly population or the geriatric population. However, in the Philippines, although some hospitals and a few facility homes provide elderly care, not many occupational therapy services are provided for them. Since occupational therapy is not well-known in the Philippines, most newly licensed occupational therapists would work at pediatric centers or some schools. Also, in my country, we provide care to our elderly family members, sometimes causing learned helplessness, which is one of the reasons why it is hard to advocate what we do as occupational therapists since occupational therapy focuses on making an individual perform daily activities as independently and safely as possible. So when I finally decided to work here in the US, I was delighted that I could provide my services to the senior population. 

2. Financial benefits: Depending on the country and the job, working abroad may offer financial benefits such as higher salaries and good benefits. A higher salary is one of the big reasons I decided to work abroad. My father and other family members are overseas Filipino workers. They actually influenced me to work in a different country. As the saying goes, the grass is greener on the other side. Compared to my salary when I was working in the Philippines, I have a higher rate of compensation working as an occupational therapist here in the US. I am now able to buy stuff I need and want, as well as enjoy spending money on whatever activity I want to do. Since I now have a higher salary than before, I can also financially assist my family in the Philippines if needed. 

3. Cultural immersion: Working abroad can allow individuals to immerse themselves in a new culture and learn new customs and languages. When I first came to the US, I had to adjust to how people live here. Also, English is not my first language. Although English is one of the languages learned in the Philippines, I still have to learn to be confident to express myself and communicate with other people using this language. Nevertheless, working and living here has been an enriching experience that broadened my perspective and helped me become more adaptable.

4. Personal growth: Working abroad can challenge individuals to step outside their comfort zone and develop new skills. Being alone and away from my family was a significant change I had to deal with. This experience made me independent in all aspects of life. It was tough at first. Adulting in a different country without my family was difficult as I didn’t have anyone to ask for help immediately if I needed it. I am also an introvert, so I needed to learn how to become friends with others. I have to get out of my comfort zone. Because of these experiences it has led to my personal growth. I felt a greater sense of self-confidence that I could do and decide many things on my own.

5. Adventure and travel: Working abroad is a chance to explore new places and experiences. Although it can be a nerve-wracking experience to work in a different country or location, I enjoyed traveling and seeing new parts of the world while also earning a living. I started working as a traveling occupational therapist under an agency when I first came to the US. I would go on short trips, eat new food, and experience different activities.

All in all, people will have different reasons to leave their home country to work abroad. Working abroad can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. However, it’s also essential to thoroughly research the country and the job market before deciding and preparing for the challenges of living in a foreign country. I had my share of problems when I started working here, but I will write them in a different blog post.

How about you? Do you agree with what I have written? If not, why? Do you have any plans to work abroad? What are your reasons for leaving your home country? What are your experiences? Kindly share it in the comment section below!

Thank you for reading! Continue to adapt to change and enjoy life!