After 70 very fast days of exploring and clinging on the possibility of getting a good and decent job in Dubai, I ended up exiting to Indonesia to avoid the overstay penalty of AED200 for the first day and AED100 for the succeeding days. Since I overstayed for a day, I paid the amount of Dhs200.
I was full of hope and positivity that I would be able to get a job within a month. I started to apply for a job by visiting all the websites recommended by my friends. Also, I paid a certain amount of money to a job search service provider that promised to send my curriculum vitae to different companies, but to no avail. I was not able to land a job within a month. Thus, I was forced to extend my tourist visa through the kind help of my friend.
On the extension of my visa, the same bleak scenario still hovered. Just the same, I sent my applications to different schools and companies. Since I have experience working for companies as an HR specialist and in schools as a Guidance Counselor and Teacher, I was quite confident that I would be able to get a job the soonest possible time before the expiration of my visa extension.
Despite my situation, I was given a chance to conduct the very first seminar I have facilitated outside of the Philippines. Also, I was hired for two weeks as a “Counselor” in an educational firm. I did a part-time job as an English teacher to Koreans and I was invited to join a networking company that promotes health and beauty products. Honestly, it was quite satisfying but it was not the real job I was hoping and praying for. Nonetheless, I was very thankful to God because while job hunting, I was earning a little but still the real work opportunity seemed to be quite aloof.
As days passed by, I asked people to pray for me as I really needed to get a job because my days were numbered and I was really looking forward to start anew in Dubai. Finally, I received a call from a school where I applied as Special Education Teacher but they only offered me the Assistant Teacher post. Unfortunately, it was my last day in Dubai because I needed to exit that time, or else face the consequences of having to pay the daily overstay penalty of AED100. Thus, I couldn't stay anymore and start on the date the school wanted me to commence with my work.
It was not really good news after all because the school wanted me to come back using my own visa. They wanted me to apply for a 90-day visa so I can work for their school using my personal visa which is actually illegal. They said they will only issue my employment visa at the end of 90 days, if I pass their probationary period. Added to that, I was offered a salary which is lower compared to my last salary in the Philippines.
Wow! I don’t want to complain nor feel very bad about it because I know that I have a lot of things to be thankful for despite all these. However, I felt that it was quite demeaning on my part if I have to accept their offer. I know that I am just one of the thousands of Filipinos exploring a job in Dubai hoping that it will give us a better opportunity. Apparently, my expectations were not met.
I know that my experience was very minute compared to the many grueling stories of Filipinos and non-Filipinos as well who hoped and prayed that this place would provide them greener pasture. As I left Dubai, I felt quite sad because I was not able to achieve my purpose for coming but I am as always grateful especially to have gained new friends whom I will treasure forever.
Now that I am here in Indonesia, I am carrying with me all the positive traits and attitudes that serve as my strength as I continue to linger on God’s great plan for me. I hope and pray that this time it will not be a "drowning" moment for me.
I was full of hope and positivity that I would be able to get a job within a month. I started to apply for a job by visiting all the websites recommended by my friends. Also, I paid a certain amount of money to a job search service provider that promised to send my curriculum vitae to different companies, but to no avail. I was not able to land a job within a month. Thus, I was forced to extend my tourist visa through the kind help of my friend.
On the extension of my visa, the same bleak scenario still hovered. Just the same, I sent my applications to different schools and companies. Since I have experience working for companies as an HR specialist and in schools as a Guidance Counselor and Teacher, I was quite confident that I would be able to get a job the soonest possible time before the expiration of my visa extension.
Despite my situation, I was given a chance to conduct the very first seminar I have facilitated outside of the Philippines. Also, I was hired for two weeks as a “Counselor” in an educational firm. I did a part-time job as an English teacher to Koreans and I was invited to join a networking company that promotes health and beauty products. Honestly, it was quite satisfying but it was not the real job I was hoping and praying for. Nonetheless, I was very thankful to God because while job hunting, I was earning a little but still the real work opportunity seemed to be quite aloof.
As days passed by, I asked people to pray for me as I really needed to get a job because my days were numbered and I was really looking forward to start anew in Dubai. Finally, I received a call from a school where I applied as Special Education Teacher but they only offered me the Assistant Teacher post. Unfortunately, it was my last day in Dubai because I needed to exit that time, or else face the consequences of having to pay the daily overstay penalty of AED100. Thus, I couldn't stay anymore and start on the date the school wanted me to commence with my work.
It was not really good news after all because the school wanted me to come back using my own visa. They wanted me to apply for a 90-day visa so I can work for their school using my personal visa which is actually illegal. They said they will only issue my employment visa at the end of 90 days, if I pass their probationary period. Added to that, I was offered a salary which is lower compared to my last salary in the Philippines.
Wow! I don’t want to complain nor feel very bad about it because I know that I have a lot of things to be thankful for despite all these. However, I felt that it was quite demeaning on my part if I have to accept their offer. I know that I am just one of the thousands of Filipinos exploring a job in Dubai hoping that it will give us a better opportunity. Apparently, my expectations were not met.
I know that my experience was very minute compared to the many grueling stories of Filipinos and non-Filipinos as well who hoped and prayed that this place would provide them greener pasture. As I left Dubai, I felt quite sad because I was not able to achieve my purpose for coming but I am as always grateful especially to have gained new friends whom I will treasure forever.
Now that I am here in Indonesia, I am carrying with me all the positive traits and attitudes that serve as my strength as I continue to linger on God’s great plan for me. I hope and pray that this time it will not be a "drowning" moment for me.
Haaaaaayyyy...another sad story but truly not as bad with others whom experienced abuses and maltreatment...still a blessing to count on other side of the story if we will consider.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, we always believe that God has always something stored for us yet we need to work and search for it.
God bless holy week! such a nice sharing with a very positive and hopeful message.
@oliver - thank you very much for everything that you have done for me as i explored in Dubai. i will not be able to survive from that "drowning moment" without your magnanimous help. Just having you as a friend is an enough blessing that I have to be thankful for. God bless you everyday as you continue to live your life in Dubai.
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