When people hear you’re working abroad, they often think about one thing: money. And yes, becoming an OFW did improve my finances—but what surprised me most were the non-monetary wins. Living and working in Taiwan didn’t just reshape my bank account. It reshaped me.
From quiet moments of self-discovery to unexpected friendships and lifestyle shifts, this journey cracked me open in ways I never saw coming. Here’s how being an OFW transformed my life—far beyond the paycheck.
Personal Growth and Resilience
When you leave the comfort of home, you don’t just pack a suitcase—you pack fear, hope, and the determination to figure things out.
I’ve learned to solve problems alone, from reading Chinese contracts with Google Translate to figuring out hospital systems without knowing the local language. Every small success made me trust myself more.
Living abroad also forced me to toughen up. Language barriers, cultural shocks, and high-pressure work environments weren’t just hurdles—they became daily teachers. I’ve become more patient when plans fall apart and sharper at managing time between 12-hour shifts, remittances, and rare rest days.
Cultural and Social Expansion
You grow when your world expands—and Taiwan did that for me in the best way.
I’ve learned how to listen better, especially to people who don’t share my language or upbringing. Working side by side with Indonesians, Vietnamese, and locals has given me empathy I never had before.
My Mandarin? Still a work in progress. But now I can order food, greet neighbors, and share jokes with coworkers. Those moments build bridges. So do the friendships I’ve made across countries—some now feel like family.
Living abroad has challenged how I think about family, faith, and ambition, making me more open to ideas outside the usual Filipino narrative.
Professional and Career Advancements
Not all career growth happens in an office.
I’ve gained technical skills I wouldn’t have accessed back home—from machine operation to safety training to software troubleshooting. Working with international teams also taught me how to adapt to different leadership styles, some more respectful than others.
My resume looks stronger, yes—but so do I. Coordinating tasks across shifts and time zones helped me understand project planning, risk management, and accountability.
Emotional and Psychological Benefits
At some point, every OFW asks: “Who am I now that I’m far from everyone I know?”
For me, that question became a gift. I learned to love my own company—whether during early bike rides, quiet evenings in a park, or solo lunch breaks at a 7-Eleven.
I’ve built new rituals—journaling, praying, checking in with myself—to stay balanced. I’m no longer just surviving the distance; I’m discovering strength I didn’t know I had.
Most of all, I feel more grounded in my purpose. I’m not here just for the paycheck—I’m here because I said yes to growth.
Strengthened Family and Community Bonds
Strangely, distance made us closer.
Being an OFW means I miss birthdays and holidays, but I’ve found ways to stay present—video calls, surprise packages, and shared traditions over screens. We even created new routines, like praying together at the same time, even across time zones.
Younger cousins now ask for my advice. I’ve become a guide, not just a provider.
And with fellow OFWs, we built our own community—potlucks, prayer meetings, karaoke nights. We take care of each other. We remind each other we’re not alone.
Lifestyle Enhancements
When you start with less, you learn how to live with more intention.
I used to rush through meals. Now I savor every bite I cook myself, even if it’s made in a cramped dorm kitchen. I’ve learned to budget better, eat healthier, and even do home workouts between shifts.
There’s a quiet joy in learning to fix a rice cooker, decorate a bunk, or turn a lonely Sunday into a photography session. Hobbies I never thought I had—like baking or vlogging—came to life because I had to get creative.
Even small wins now feel big. That’s gratitude. That’s growth.
Video: What’s it like being Filipino in Taiwan ? Southeast Asian in Taiwan
Life as an OFW in Taiwan taught them more than how to earn—it showed them how to live.
Through the voices of fellow Filipinos, they found comfort in knowing they weren’t alone in feeling both homesick and hopeful.
Moments of safety, kindness from strangers, and the freedom to be seen as more than “just a worker” shaped their everyday stories.
It reminded them that growth happens not only in bank accounts—but in self-worth, resilience, and recognition.
Every new street, every kind exchange, became part of the healing they never knew they needed.
Final Thoughts
Becoming an OFW didn’t just change my finances—it changed me.
It’s taught me that growth lives in discomfort, that community can exist anywhere, and that your life doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s to be meaningful.
So if you’re just starting your journey, or feeling stuck in the middle of it—look closer. The wins aren’t just in your wallet. They’re in how you walk, how you speak, how you carry your story forward.