Introduction
Jenny Angeles is a designer based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She recalls how she started her career as an overseas Filipino worker, how she dealt with challenges along the way, what she misses back home and her tips to those aspiring to work abroad.

Jenny arrived in Dubai in May 10, 2006. Just like most of Filipinos who go abroad, Jen aims to help her family, in addition to seeking a new experience working on a new environment.

Before that, she had to undergo a forgettable experience. "I had to go thru the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) kasi bago ang employment visa na hawak ko and new contract din (new employer). It was hell really. Ang daming babayaran, ang daming red tape.", referring to the long process of getting a requirement done. The medical exam was so tough that if one doesn't agree to treatment endorsed by health examiners, he or she will never get that "Fit To Work" certificate as stamp of approval.

In addition to the long and inefficient processing of working papers, she found out that the Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) required by POEA isn't updated and a lot of its content are no longer relevant at the time of presentation.

After getting all procedural steps out of the way, she found relief to have finally boarded the plane and closer to formalizing her entry as among the latest Filipino overseas workers. A few hours later, she arrived in Dubai, full of both dreams and apprehensioons. Just like her contemporaries, she had to adjust to the new environment. "Initially, I was scared to be in a foreign land. Tapos foreigner pa ang boss mo (Iranian ang 1st boss ko).", citing cultural, language and other challenges not experienced back in the Philippines.

"Pero um-ok na yung feeling the instant I got to a mall. Para ka lang nasa Mall of Asia, ang daming 'KABAYAN'. And because of that, nawala na yung takot and narelax na ako."

Beauty of Dubai

Contrary to conventional thinking that Arab states are uptight and conservative laws, Jenny found out that United Arab a safe country especially for women. In fact, women are esteemed with respect and care. She was quick to observe that in public transportation, women get the privilege to sit on the first three rows after the driver and separated from men. That is because Muslims in general are peace-loving people, Jenny concluded. Police response to calls is also very quick. Again contrary to popular notion that Dubai is a city surrounded by desert hills, Jenny pleasantly found out that there are plenty of beautiful places that can only be found in the emirate.

If there are similarities between Dubai and the Philippines, it could be the malls. Same looks but only two or three times the size, Dubai's malls offer both a variety of items on sale and a place to relax and meet friends. "There's a place in Dubai called Al Satwa. This is considered to be 'Little Manila' by a lot of people. Kahit san ka lumingon, may Kabayan. Para syang upscale Tondo or Quiapo."

What Jenny didn't find appealing in the United Arab Emirates is the fact that there is no naturalization offered to migrant workers. "Walang immigration at permanent residency or citizenship. So kahit abutin ka ng 15 years dito magtrabaho, you'll always be considered a resident visa holder and not a naturalized citizen", she laments.

Missing home

Of course, just like everyone else, Jenny also misses her friends and family back home. "Of course the food and my family. Iba yung pag-uwi mo ay may mag-aalaga at mag-aasikaso sa yo. Plus, ang Christmas holidays d'yan ang sobrang nami-miss ko tlaga." To keep in touch with family back home, Jenny often gets through the phone and Internet (Skype or Yahoo! Messenger). She makes it a habit to call home every Friday.

What about the food? "Kare-kare, dinuguan, crispy pata - yung mga pork food kasi bihira ang pork dito. Tapos yung mga kakanin rin, walang mabiling masarap na puto dito at pancit Lucban!"

To ease the loneliness, Jenny and her friends spend time hanging outdoors and through videoke, the Filipino singing passion. This is apart from taking well-deserved rest in bed during days off, which often takes them through to mid-morning the next day.

Realizations

Jenny has learned in her stay in Dubai that everywhere in the world, Filipinos have this bayanihan spirit that one goes out of his way to help fellow men, no matter what the situation is. "Another thing I learned, no matter what nationality, we should not judge people. Even sa mga Pinoy, maraming nanggagago ng sariling kalahi. Unfortunately, yan ang isang bad trait na nakita ko sa ilang Pinoy dito." What about unforgettable experiences?

"It happened about two years ago, I was working for a garment company here in Sharjah (another emirate in the UAE). The boss had a right hand guy that was super mega ultra-jealous and threatened by me even if I was just doing my job. He did everything and anything he could to destroy my reputation to my boss. Eventually, he succeeded and I resigned. Don't get me wrong but I guess it was a good move for me because I got a better offer in a bigger company doing what I love to do most! And that former company who stood by that right-hand guy? Everyday they are worried of closing down because that guy left them too after asking the owners to pay for his new driving lessons, his new flat and the husband's visa for his wife."

Tips to aspiring OFWs

Out of her personal experience, Jen offers valuable advice to Filipinos wishing to join the growing number of overseas workers.

"Firstly, learn to adapt to the place. The place will not change for you and instead, you have to adapt to the new stuff that's right in front of you. Secondly, try not to judge or generalize people. Not all people are the same even if they come from the same country or even the same family. Lastly, learn the real meaning of RESPECT - for country, for others and for oneself. I think, personally, if one has this, we can all survive anywhere.", Jenny shares.

© Pinoy OFW 2008-2009