How Working Abroad Changed My Life and Career

From a rejected job application in Japan to working in the UAE and eventually building a remote healthcare career, life took me somewhere I never expected.

My Journey Beyond the Philippines

Have you ever worked so hard but still felt that your salary wasn't enough?

That was my reality when I was working in the Philippines. I wanted better opportunities, financial stability, and the ability to support my family, especially my parents.

Back then, I worked as a medical representative covering Cebu, Bohol, and Dumaguete. I earned around ₱20,000–₱28,000 per month, plus allowances and sales incentives.

I also taught English as a Second Language (ESL), earning approximately ₱60 for every 25-minute class.

I enjoyed both jobs, but financially, life was challenging.

Like many Filipinos, I started dreaming of working abroad.

Little did I know that my journey would involve a rejection in Japan, two years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a global pandemic, and eventually a career supporting international healthcare clinics remotely.

And believe me, it wasn't always glamorous!

Japan Was My First Dream

Here's something you might find surprising: the UAE wasn't originally part of my plan.

I actually applied to work as a caregiver in a nursing home in Japan.

With my nursing background, I thought it would be a great opportunity. I passed the interviews and was excited about possibly starting a new life there.

But at the final stage, I was rejected.

Why?

I couldn't speak Japanese well enough.

That was disappointing, especially after coming so close.

Instead of giving up, I studied Nihongo for a few months. But while I was learning Japanese, another opportunity came along—a job in the UAE.

I had a choice: continue preparing for Japan or take the opportunity already in front of me.

I chose the UAE.

Funny how life works, isn't it? I was studying Japanese, but my next destination turned out to be the Middle East!

From Human Nursing to Veterinary Medicine

In the UAE, I worked as a veterinary technician in a veterinary hospital.

Coming from a human nursing background, working in animal healthcare was a completely different experience.

Instead of human patients, I was assisting with animal patients. I had to learn new clinical workflows, adjust to a different working environment, and communicate with colleagues and pet owners from different cultural backgrounds.

Living abroad also meant learning to become independent.

I had to manage my finances, accommodation, transportation, and everyday responsibilities without having my family nearby.

It wasn't easy, but those experiences pushed me outside my comfort zone.

Earning AED 4,500: Was Life Really Better Abroad?

Let's talk about money, because this is something people are always curious about!

My monthly salary in the UAE was approximately AED 4,500.

Compared with what I earned in the Philippines, it sounded like a big improvement.

But here's what people sometimes forget: earning more abroad doesn't automatically mean saving more.

Accommodation, transportation, groceries, and daily expenses were expensive. I also had financial responsibilities back home.

You might look successful because you're working overseas, but people don't always see the cost of maintaining that lifestyle.

I learned an important lesson: don't just compare salaries. Compare how much you can actually save after paying your expenses.

The Hardest Part? Being Away From Family

One of the hardest experiences was getting sick while living abroad.

Imagine feeling unwell and having nobody from your family nearby to look after you, prepare food, or check whether you're okay.

You still have to manage everything yourself.

That's when I realised that independence isn't always exciting. Sometimes, it's simply learning to take care of yourself when nobody else is around.

I missed home, family gatherings, familiar food, and the comfort of knowing my loved ones were nearby.

Those were the moments when I understood that money wasn't everything.

But There Was a Fun Side Too!

Don't worry—my UAE experience wasn't all about work, expenses, and homesickness!

I met fellow Cebuanos, made new friends, explored different foods, and experienced a culture different from my own.

Having Bisaya-speaking friends made life abroad feel a little more like home.

And yes, there was Tinder too! Haha!

Living overseas could get lonely, so meeting new people, going on dates, and finding ways to enjoy life were all part of the experience.

Not every memory from working abroad has to be a serious life lesson. Some are simply funny stories you laugh about years later.

Those friendships and experiences made my two years in the UAE unforgettable.

Then COVID-19 Changed Everything

When the pandemic arrived, businesses and employment opportunities were affected around the world.

After two years in the UAE, I eventually returned to the Philippines.

It was another uncertain chapter in my life.

However, the pandemic also changed how businesses operated. More companies began exploring remote work, and I started seeing opportunities to use my healthcare experience without moving abroad again.

That became a turning point.

I eventually gained experience supporting healthcare clinics in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia as a medical secretary, medical scribe, executive assistant, and medical virtual assistant.

Instead of working physically in a hospital, I could now support international healthcare professionals from home.

Of course, remote work has challenges of its own.

You still need discipline, effective communication, time management, and the ability to work with different time zones and healthcare systems.

But for me, it opened another door.

I realised that building an international career doesn't always require leaving your home country.

Working Abroad vs. Working Remotely

Having experienced both, I can say that neither is automatically better.

Working in the UAE taught me independence, cultural awareness, and adaptability. I experienced living in another country, working in a veterinary hospital, and managing expenses away from home.

Remote work gave me another opportunity: supporting international healthcare teams while staying closer to family and avoiding the costs associated with relocating overseas.

Both experiences have advantages and challenges.

For me, career success is no longer just about earning a higher salary. It's also about finding a balance between financial stability, personal growth, family, and quality of life.

What My Journey Taught Me About Learning Languages

As an ESL teacher, this is probably the most important lesson I want to share with my students.

Language skills can open doors—but they can also become barriers when we aren't prepared.

I experienced this firsthand when I lost the opportunity to work in Japan because my Japanese wasn't good enough.

Later, my English communication skills became valuable when working with people from different countries, both in the UAE and remotely.

Whether you're preparing for a job interview, working internationally, or simply trying to communicate more confidently, learning another language can create opportunities.

And here's something I always want my students to remember:

You don't need perfect English to start. You need the courage to practise and the willingness to improve.

Make mistakes. Ask questions. Speak even when you're nervous.

That's part of learning.

My Advice to Anyone Dreaming of Working Abroad

If you're thinking about pursuing an international career, here are a few things I'd like you to remember:

Final Thoughts: Life Doesn't Always Follow Our Plans

Looking back, my journey still makes me smile.

I wanted to work in Japan, but I ended up in the UAE.

I studied human nursing, but I found myself working in veterinary medicine.

I once believed that building an international career meant leaving the Philippines. Today, I have experience working with overseas healthcare teams remotely.

Each chapter taught me something different.

Japan taught me the importance of language preparation.

The UAE taught me independence, cultural awareness, and financial responsibility.

Remote work taught me adaptability and showed me that opportunities can come in unexpected forms.

And through it all, I learned that success isn't just about where you work or how much you earn. It's also about the people you love, the experiences you gain, and the life you build along the way.

To my fellow ESL learners and anyone dreaming of something bigger:

Keep learning. Keep exploring. Don't be afraid to start again.

Because sometimes, the opportunity that changes your life isn't the one you were originally looking for.