How to Combat Homesickness

Maybe it’s the smell of fishballs in your area. Or the noise of your neighbors or of your loved ones. Maybe it’s the sight of jeeps, tricycles and pedicabs. It can also be the taste of pinakbet or bagoong sold at a carinderia.

Or probably you’re just homesick.

Thousands of Filipinos leave the country everyday in search for a better pasture. Armed with their passports, visas, luggage, etc, an OFW must bring a heavier arsenal in combating homesickness. There’s nothing like waking up and realizing that its not your room, and you’re miles away from ‘Pinas.

Somehow, being the ever optimistic and brave and ingenious Filipinos are, some OFWs have succeeded in overcoming those pangs of loneliness. Here are some of them:

Find your Kababayans In case you were sent out alone, try to find out where most of the Filipinos in that country hang out. Try surfing the Internet or asking around. Try the malls, or Filipino restaurants and even find some Filipinos in Catholic churches. Of course, in making friends, be careful and choose wisely . Don’t go out with co-workers you don’t know very well. Party . Once you have succeeded in finding Filipino friends and chums, go to the parties. Like any other party, don’t get yourself too wasted and don’t drink and drive. Don’t waste your hard earned money and spend just enough. Stock up on your favorite Pinoy songs and buy CDs. Of course, pirated CDs are out of the question in case you might get in a tangle with the customs. Don’t forget to bring videoke cds as well. You might as well drown your homesickness in belting out your favorite songs. Kiss the cook Learn to cook your favorite meal and cook for friends. Participate in any Pinoy sports fest Sports not only builds camaraderie and character but also produces endorphins or the happy hormones. The Photo Album Yes, as cliché as it may sound, bring pictures of your loved ones. Bring a lot so that you may always remember the very reason that you’re there and working like crazy. If anything else fails, you have so many options of keeping in touch You can chat online with your loved ones or call them at home. You can e-mail them or write to them in snail mail. If you happen to have a cellphone abroad, you can text them or call them on their cellphones. There are more ways that you can beat homesickness. As an OFW, braving homesickness is a mark of your perseverance. Remember to whom all these efforts are for and think of them as your inspirations.

How to Work Abroad

There are many ways to be able to work abroad. Some are legal, and for the exceptionally resourceful Filipinos, illegal methods are also available. Please note, however, that the purpose of this article is simply to provide information.

Through Recruitment Agencies

The easiest way to work abroad is to simply look at the newspaper's job section. There you will find numerous recruitment agencies advertising jobs for Hong Kong, Taiwan or the Middle East. These jobs, however, may not be suited to your profession, as Hong Kong employs mostly domestic helpers. So does Taiwan, but Taiwan also recruits a lot of factory workers. Middle East countries focus on contruction workers, and a little of everything.

When applying via recruitment agencies, you should first make sure that they are licensed to operate as such. Otherwise, they are deemed as illegal decruiters. To verify the agency's legality, take note of their license number, and cross-check it with POEA.

If you find an ad by a recruitment agency with a job that you wish to apply to, simple drop by their office and fill up their application form. There are a lot of documents that you need to submit, like photocopies of your passport, 2x2 pictures, NBI Cleaance, etc. They will provide you with the list that you need to accomplish.

Depending on the host country, some recruitment agencies will charge you a processing fee. Those that send applicants to Taiwan will often charge you Php40,000 and up for this service. For Middle East countries, it is common for them to use SD (Salary Deduction) for you to compensate the agency for their effort. Others, like those that really need skilledworkers , will often pay for the applicant's education and training so that the applicants will choose them as employers. This is common for the booming nursing and other health-related employment opportunities.

Once you submit your application, the recruitment agency will filter it first to see if you are qualified for the job you applied to. If you are, you may receive a call from them for your initial interview. This interview may already be with the prospective employer, so you should always look your best and always look confident.

If the employer finds you qualified for the job, he or she will inform the agency. The agency, in turn, will call you regarding this. If you are approved by the employer, you will need to submit more documents to the agency. These documents are necessary and is required in all recruitment agencies mandated by the POEA. Some of the documents/ tasks that you need to perform are: medical exam, drug test, PDOS (Pre-departure Orientation Seminar), POEA Attestation/Declaration, etc.

Once you completed all these requirements, you will be provided a ticket to the host country. Make sure to always bring your OFW card that POEA will give you.

How to Cope with Culture Shock

Probably the best overall strategy for coping with the various manifestations of culture shock is to make a conscious effort to adjust to the new culture. Here are some suggestions on how to make yourself feel more at home in your new surroundings:

Get involved in some aspect of the new culture. Whether you study art, music, or learn a new sport or martial art, being an interested student will make a world of difference.

Take the time to learn the language. It always helps to understand as much as possible of what people are saying. They will appreciate your effort to communicate with them in their own language, even if it is just a few simple phrases, and it will make your daily life much easier, too. Carry a small notebook with you and jot down a couple of new phrases each day.

Travel. Take the time to be a tourist and explore the country's sights and attractions.

Make friends and develop relationships. Make an effort to meet others. This will help you overcome cultural differences and come to a better understanding of the country and its people. Interacting with local people will also show you how to be more sensitive to cultural norms and expectations.

Maintain contact with friends and family back home. Writing home about your experiences and problems can help you sort through them. It is also a good idea to keep a journal of your feelings and thoughts.

Do something that reminds you of home. This can really boost your spirits when you are feeling homesick. So, make sure you have packed your favourite music or hobbies.