I came upon a forum whereas parang tambayan ng mga OFW here sa Middle East (from Qatar, Saudi, UAE etc.). May isang specific thread dun, I cant remember which was, pero parang a person wanted to work in the Middle East so bad. May sumagot sa kanya na DH yata na huwag na lang. Might as well stay sa Pinas kasi mahirap abroad. Malayo ka na nga sa pamilya, alila ka pa.
I have nothing against people who wanted to work abroad. But one simple advice, MAKE SURE NA GUSTO NYO TALAGA MAGTRABAHO ABROAD. Not because gusto nyo lang ng malaking sahod or umalis, but make sure na gusto nyo talaga.
I'm with my father here in Dubai and I must say Im one of the lucky few na medyo hindi hirap sa ibang bansa kasi nandyan yung tatay ko to provide as well. But when you're alone, matetest talaga ang lakas ng loob mo dito.
I've been here for quite some time and I can give you reasons why and why not live and work here in Dubai.
Why here?
1. Financial - who doesnt want a tax free salary diba? thats one of the few benefits na binibigay ng mga Dubai companies. If you're earning like 20 thousand pesos a month, sayo na yan! tax free! wohooooo!
2. Multi-cultural Experience - in my area of work, madami kang makakasalamuha na iba't ibang lahi. europeans, arabs, asians, americans.. you name it! to the point na may learning on the way about their cultures and traditions because my co-workers eh iba iba ang nationality. mas madami pa sa UN since this is an open country. :p
3. Adventure? since I mentioned the financial part, planning an adventure or trip is easier here in Dubai. for one, I know madali lang sila magbigay ng Visa and there is too many places to go sa UAE pa lang!
4. Free Trip Home - i think Middle East lang ang nagpprovide for their workers ng Free Trip Home. They'll give it to you pag naka-12 months or 18 months ka ng nagwowork. tapos paid pa for 30 days! bongga!
5. Pangbongga sa Resume :)
6. English Speaking Country - as long as you can do conversational English, keri na yun! The first time I went on a grocery store, super English pa ko dun sa cashier, 'Do you have chicken breasts? The fillet ones?Or you just have the whole chicken packed?' tapos ang sagot nya saken.. 'Chicken. There! *points at the freezer*' Oh dba! Bongga! Walang kahirap hirap! But if you're working for business type of company, kailangan duguan. :p
Why not?
1. The Heat - If you're not fond of heat or summer, might as well wag na talaga kayong tumuloy sa Dubai. When I got here, on early August, ay shet! Hindi ako makapaglakad ng 5 minutes sa labas. Sobrang init! Yung hangin, parang blower na naka-max! 8 months na extreme heat and the other months were extreme cold. O dba. :)
2. Multi-cultural Experience - well others might take this one as a negative one. I cant blame you. This is an Arab country so there is restrictions which you must be aware. But its just a matter of adjustment and adaptation. :)
3. Second class citizens - You're not working sa sarili mong bansa, so for them you are just a guest. You'll be treated with good hospitality but with boundaries since they do have a very consertive tradition and culture.
For now yan muna. Sana madami pa ko maisip next time! :)
xoxo
