04/07/2026
āSAYANG, LICENSED TEACHER KA NA. BAKIT KA PA NAG-ABROAD?ā
Iāve heard that question more times than I can count.
After all, I was already a public school teacher in the Philippines. I had a stable job, government benefits, and a secure retirement waiting for me.
So, bakit nga ba ako umalis?
The truth is, teaching gave me purpose, but it also took a lot from me. The long hours didnāt end when classes were over. There were lesson plans, paperwork, reports, meetings, trainings, school activities, and countless responsibilities behind the scenes. I poured so much of myself into my work that, somewhere along the way, I became exhausted. Burnout became normal. Stress became part of my daily life.
For me, the workload often felt overwhelming compared to the compensation, and I found myself wondering if this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life.
Despite everything I had achieved, I still felt lost. I wasnāt sure what I really wanted. I felt like I didnāt truly belong.
That feeling pushed me to make the hardest decision of my life.
I left my comfort zone because I wanted something more. I wanted to explore the world. I wanted to become independent. I wanted to discover who I was outside the classroom.
That decision led me to the UAE.
At first, moving here sounded exciting. It felt like a fresh start. A chance to build a new life. But what no one really talks about is how lonely starting over can be.
My first job was as a call center/chat support agent.
Everything was different.
The culture. The language. The work environment. The people.
Different nationalities. Different personalities.
For the first time in my life, I was living completely on my own. I had to learn how to survive without depending on anyone.
It wasnāt easy.
There were days I questioned every decision I had made. The salary wasnāt enough, and there were even times when it was delayed for two to three months. There were moments when I didnāt know how Iād make it through the next month.
But I chose this path because I wanted independence. So instead of asking my family for help, I tried my best to solve my own problems. I didnāt want to become another burden to the people who had already sacrificed so much for me.
That experience taught me how to endure. It taught me how to stand on my own, even when life felt uncertain.
When my contract ended, I finally walked away from what often felt like a prison.
Even though those days were difficult, I have no regrets.
That company taught me resilience. It introduced me to people from different walks of life. Some of them became lifelong friends. For that, I will always be grateful.
After that chapter, life led me somewhere I never expected. A veterinary clinic.
Now, I work as a receptionist.
Another career. Another beginning. Another adjustment.
After years of working behind the scenes, I suddenly found myself becoming the face that welcomes clients every day. For someone who is naturally quiet and who became even more introverted because of past experiences and personal struggles, it was terrifying.
At first, I doubted myself constantly. There were so many times I wanted to quit. So many times I convinced myself that I wasnāt good enough and that this job wasnāt meant for me.
But little by little, I grew.
Every client I met had a story. Every pet that came through our doors reminded me that love comes in many forms.
Iāve always loved animals, but working in a veterinary clinic has made me even more compassionate. Not just toward animals, but toward the people who love them like family.
This July marks three years since I moved to UAE in 2023.
Three years of leaving behind the familiar.
Three years of starting over.
Three years of learning, failing, growing, and becoming someone I never imagined I could be.
Looking back, I realize that every chapter of my life had a purpose.
Teaching taught me patience.
Living alone taught me strength.
Starting over taught me courage.
Every struggle reminded me that growth never happens inside our comfort zone.
I still donāt have all the answers. I still donāt know exactly where life will take me.
But maybe thatās okay.
Because life isnāt always about having everything figured out. Sometimes itās about having the courage to keep moving forward, even when the road is uncertain.
Iām looking forward to discovering more of myself, learning new skills, meeting more people, and creating a life that Iām proud of.
Maybe one day, Iāll look back at this version of me. The one who was scared but kept going. And Iāll thank her for never giving up.
One of the reasons Iām sharing this is because I know there are people who are standing where I once stood. Afraid to leave. Afraid to start over. Afraid of making the wrong decision.
Iām not posting this because Iāve already made it.
Iām posting this because I want you to know that itās okay not to have everything figured out.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is take that first step into the unknown.
Your journey wonāt look like anyone elseās, and thatās okay.
Trust yourself. Keep going. Be patient with your own growth.
This isnāt the end of my story.
Itās only the beginning. ā¤ļø
