It’s very hard to
be an expat, far from your love ones, living away from your comfort zone, holding
yourself to speak because of so much hesitation not to be understood, adjusting
into the food which does not suit to your taste buds, new rules, new life, new
environment and new YOU!!
Time flies so fast
and honestly, I still have the hang of questioning myself how did I survive???
It’s tough!!! I mean, really hard to live in foreign land, to compete with
other expats, to find your spot in the corporate world and curbing all your
emotions for survival. Yet I was able to
live a life in Kuwait for more than 12 years, Yep!!!! I’ve stayed long enough yet
every moment I am here is giving so much be thankful for, I was able to build
my dreams, myself and my family.
And with that, I’m
going to share how to live a life in a foreign land, better as” HOW TO BE A
SMART EXPAT”
Before that, I
would like to mention that I do not have any professional certificates in
relation to this article, I’m not an expert, all I have is the experiences which I am willing
to share especially those who are in the MIDDLE EAST.
How to be a SMART
EXPAT
1.)
Be a good Citizen
Every country has Laws that needs to be followed, Some rules might be the same with
our home country but regardless of that, the moment we entered into a foreign
country we are bound to abide the laws .
Being a foreigner is
somewhat an advantage and disadvantage, for us “Filipinos", we came to work not for pleasure, it is very important for us to be aware of the standards, Being smart is not just by pretending to be one you have to fill your brain the essential information.
LAWS are
made to protect and keep us all safe.
Abide the rules,
act what is expected of us, dress and live according to the rules of the
country
2.)
Be Nice
Whether we like it
or not, we have to live and work with different nationalities, it’s very seldom
we can automatically adopt to the routine but most of the time we need to leap
a huge step to embrace the new environment and people.
Leave all your
frustrations at home, maintain professionalism and be nice even if you don’t
feel like smiling, I can assure you it will be your first weapon to success….
Be Nice!!
3.)
Reach out and Have Friends
One of many
reasons we find it hard to let go and leave our home country is because of the
people we love, letting go involves so many hard emotions and sadness makes the
most part of it.
Being an expat doesn’t
limit you from reaching out to others, there are many groups or communities who
are very much willing to accept and get to know new members, do not hesitate to
join and mingle with fellow expats. In time, you’ll find your perfect buddy.
We all need
companion, someone we can talk, and someone we can rely on. So go ahead and
reach out!!
4.)
Always remember the very reason why you are in a FOREIGN LAND
As I quoted
before, we all have our reasons of leaving our country
Always keep that
reason/s in your in mind and in your heart, use that as a motivation to make a
plan in reaching your goals.
In my many years
as an expat, I met people and get to know their stories, most of the time I
felt very much disappointed knowing that many had taken a different side of the
road perhaps a SHORTCUT, I understand that it’s very tempting to just let go of
our principles and accept whatever it is that comes easily. YOU REAP what you SOW, Many of my fellow expats
had ruined their marriage just to make things easy, totally neglected the very
reason why they have to leave their country.
Is it worthy to
ruin your family/marriage for financial security???
Is it right to commit
adultery just because you are lonely and needed to fill the gap??!
Have you ever
think of your dignity in exchange for a job you been dreaming of???
“NO CHOICE” is the
constant excuse I’ve heard, needless to say, that from the time we are born the
right to live and the right to choose is already given to us, we have the mind
to think and the heart to decide, every aspect of our lives is surrounded by
choices it’s all up to us which path we have to take. So don’t give that DAMN
excuse that you have NO CHOICE!!!
5.)
Choose your Friends
Wisely
This is not to say
that you discriminate people who don’t live up to your level of expectations, but simply chose the person you would like to
be associated with,
Being away from our love ones enable us to feel the need
for someone to cover the gap of loneliness and that lead just to desperation.
Our desperation to
find a stranger to be our friend can sometimes drag us down or bring us into
our goal.
My point is, we
can be friends with anyone but keep someone who have the same goals and can
influence you into a better you.
6.)
Value your hard work
not the Money
Most of us dream
of having a lifelong financial stability
Notice how the
world transformed into a money worshiped society, fame is money and Money is
happiness.
We are willing to sacrifice ourselves even our family by being far
from each other just to earn and provide a better lives.
And Yes I must
admit, I like money especially for shopping and anything alike, but the
more I aged the more I see the deeper side of life. More hard work, More Money
Try this, Every
time you shop think about YOUR hard work, the TIME you have invested to earn and not
the money,
For each time you shop
or invest something ask yourself, is this worthy to spend the long hours of hard
work? Is it worth the toil???
Value your hard
work, Make every expense worth every sweat, time and tears.
7.)
Enjoy life but Know your Limit
Take advantage of
the beautiful things a foreign land can offer, visit public places, try new
delicacies, go shopping, buy gadget but spend wisely and know your limits.
There’s no better
way to fight the boredom than to enjoy life. Find your passion and enjoy every
moment of it
There is no
shortcut to life, every moment is a destiny in a making. Life should not or
should never be complicated so let’s make it simple!!
Always remember
that, we are blessed to be where we are right now so make the best of it.
Be productive,
hold on to your goals and make it happen. BE A SMART EXPAT
