{"id":3187,"date":"2023-06-08T15:38:56","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T14:38:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/?p=3187"},"modified":"2023-06-08T16:29:22","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T15:29:22","slug":"immigrating-to-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/immigrating-to-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Immigrating to the UK: The story of an OFW nurse who worked in the NHS"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686151179757\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>In this article, we talk with Harry, a Filipino nurse who chose to work in the United Kingdom (UK) and become the breadwinner for his family. Immigrating to the UK, or any country for that matter, is a challenge some people might not be willing to face. Leaving our loved ones behind to pursue better career opportunities and financial freedom can come with its own price.\u00a0 Read on to learn the issues Harry faced and how he overcame them.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 24px;text-align: left\" class=\"vc_custom_heading\" >Life in the Philippines<\/h3>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  vc_custom_1686151110184\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"Immigrating-to-the-UK-1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-1-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-1-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685537966146\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Harry (not his real name) grew up as the eldest in a middle-class family in Negros Occidental, a province on the western side of the Philippines\u2019 Visayan islands. A seaman\u2019s son, he recalls a peaceful life filled with friendship and youthful memories.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686151301590\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>\u201cMy whole life living in the Philippines was great, as my sister and I were supported not only financially but also with values that both my mother and father gave to us, even though it was only my mother who was on our side,\u201d said Harry.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685538012213\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>During his childhood and adolescence, Harry\u2019s family never struggled financially, but he does acknowledge that his father sacrificed most of his life to earn a thriving wage as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW).<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686151666346\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Spending most of his time at sea, Harry\u2019s father was only home for two to three months of the year. Thus, he and his younger sister mostly grew up with their mother, a retired accountant turned full-time homemaker.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685538031925\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>But it was because his father worked abroad that Harry was able to graduate from a prestigious high school in his hometown and earn a nursing degree. He could even afford to take a year off after passing the nursing board on his second try.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685538043933\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>What he didn\u2019t know upon getting his nursing license was he would soon become his family\u2019s only source of income.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  vc_custom_1686217285474\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"Immigrating-to-the-UK-2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-2-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-2-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685538059526\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>After his gap year, Harry spent the next three years gaining experience as an outpatient nurse and earning a graduate degree in nursing. Then in 2017, his father&#8217;s health suffered a debilitating blow.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685538090038\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Diagnosed with a heart blockage and sickle cell anaemia, Harry\u2019s father was forced to stop working and seek treatment.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686151967058\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>According to the National Health Service (NHS), sickle cell anaemia is the \u201cmost serious type\u201d of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/sickle-cell-disease\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sickle cell disease<\/a>, a chronic genetic illness where red blood cells are deformed. This can cause bouts of pain and can leave one susceptible to fatigue and infections, or they may even have a stroke.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686152037009\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>\u201cIt was at this time that the family struggled both emotionally and financially because my father was the only source of income we had\u201d, said Harry. \u201cDuring this event, it changed my life, and a sense of urgency was already developing inside of me to look for a high-paying job during that time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686152288508\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Taking on his father&#8217;s role as the breadwinner, Harry quit working as a local outpatient nurse and attempted to land a nursing job abroad. Before Immigrating to the UK, he tried and failed to make the cut for Saudi Arabia but ultimately passed the criteria to be a nurse in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686152368131\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Thus, Harry started immigrating to the UK in 2019, just <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/community\/christmas-in-the-philippines-our-favourite-festive-traditions\/\">days before Christmas<\/a>. He was forced to live independently for the first time in his life, during the festive holidays too. Harry struggled to adjust to life in South Devon, a coastal community in England popular among retirees.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 24px;text-align: left\" class=\"vc_custom_heading\" >The challenges of life in the UK<\/h3>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  vc_custom_1686217914002\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-3.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"Immigrating-to-the-UK-3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-3-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-3-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686152750187\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Not fond of small talk, Harry first found <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/understanding-british-culture\/\">British culture&#8217;s<\/a> penchant for pleasantries disagreeable.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686218025703\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>\u201cI know myself as a person who only talks to people who I am comfortable with,\u201d said Harry. \u201cBut with British culture, they love to interact and love small talk, even the smallest. One topic can go into another topic and will not end unless someone stops it.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685538905384\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Because of the culture&#8217;s aversion to confrontations, his frank nature also caused some friction in some of his interactions.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686234585517\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>It took some time for Harry to assimilate into British culture since immigrating to the UK and he learned to &#8220;go with the flow&#8221; when dealing with others. But even though he has adjusted to life in the UK, he says his ongoing struggle is dealing with racism.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686218268333\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>\u201cBeing a worker in another country is different from being a visitor because it is where you can see the true colours of the people&#8221;, noted Harry.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685538985443\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>He recalled encountering people who still thought his country was a small island, even though the Philippines is an archipelago that is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esquiremag.ph\/long-reads\/features\/how-big-is-the-philippines-a00304-20200620\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bigger than the UK<\/a>. He also said some people act as if they are above him simply because he is Filipino.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539006063\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>While he has learned to face casual racism with a stiff upper lip, Harry must still deal with discrimination in the workplace. Almost five years after immigrating to the UK, Harry noted that he is still considered different, and he feels this at work. He also said the amount of work assigned to him and other foreign-trained nurses in the UK could be heavier than their local counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539014861\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>\u201cThe amount of work being put to foreigners like us in the UK is heavy and sometimes abusive,\u201d said Harry.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  vc_custom_1686219331094\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-4-1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"Immigrating-to-the-UK-4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-4-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-4-1-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-4-1-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539049596\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Among the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rappler.com\/nation\/filipino-nurses-united-kingdom-adapt-face-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">40,000 Filipino nurses<\/a> working in the UK, Harry is not alone in his struggles. And conditions only grew worse for them and other Filipino healthcare workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539091169\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/features\/2021\/4\/27\/under-fire-on-the-frontline-britains-asian-healthcare-workers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Al Jazeera<\/a>, &#8220;The Filipino community has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. In May 2020, it was reported that 13% of frontline healthcare workers who died had been Filipino, despite making up just 2% of NHS staff.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686218723707\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Some of these Filipino healthcare workers had no immediate families in the UK and <a href=\"https:\/\/rcni.com\/nursing-standard\/newsroom\/news\/a-culture-of-keeping-quiet-and-working-hard-costing-filipino-nurses-their-lives-160221\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">died alone<\/a> whilst self-isolating, while others were unfairly compensated despite contracting the virus on duty.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539126522\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>The stress of being in a new country while also facing deaths, uncertainty, and inadequate protection and support during the pandemic severely affected some Filipino health workers&#8217; mental health. And when they turned to their supervisors or colleagues for support, they were met with more stress and shame.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539162126\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Along with this, Asian nurses also had to deal with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/uk-england-norfolk-51465604\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">racist slurs and behaviour<\/a> as some patients refused to work with them or blamed them for spreading a virus that was first recorded in China.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686218936928\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Despite these stressful working conditions, some healthcare workers were, and still are, afraid to speak out, fearing losing their jobs and remaining in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 24px;text-align: left\" class=\"vc_custom_heading\" >Managing your finances in the UK<\/h3>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  vc_custom_1686220180382\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-5.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"Immigrating-to-the-UK-5\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-5.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-5-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-5-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686219434400\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>\u201cRemember, the way of living here (in the UK) is in pounds, not pesos,\u201d He reminded fellow OFWs. \u201cOne must be responsible enough to take care of their finances because most Filipinos here are in debt due to their lack of financial knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686219525335\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>He noted that Filipinos in the UK should learn how to manage their finances and be mindful of their spending. This will keep them from falling into the trap of &#8220;work hard but spend harder,&#8221; which will only keep them in a perpetual rat race and &#8220;make their lives miserable.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539352203\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>\u201cMy advice to upcoming Filipinos who wish to live or work in the UK is to ask yourself first if you are ready for the challenge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539338193\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>While saving up in the UK, Harry dreams of leaving his stressful life as an OFW orthopaedic nurse to open his own business in the Philippines, near his loved ones and in more agreeable weather. He has also been studying how to &#8220;increase my investment portfolio and add additional income.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539321129\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>The low salaries, along with understaffing issues, have already convinced some public nurses to <a href=\"https:\/\/tinig-uk.com\/filipino-nurses-join-uks-largest-nhs-strike\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hold the largest nursing strike in NHS history<\/a> and demand higher pay.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1686219627713\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Unlike some of his colleagues choosing to settle in the UK, Harry plans to return to the Philippines in the next 10 years. He has learned to cope with life in the UK, but dealing with its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/business-12196322\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rising inflation rate<\/a> and &#8220;very low&#8221; nurses\u2019 pay rate has proven unsustainable for him.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 24px;text-align: left\" class=\"vc_custom_heading\" >Sending money to the Philippines from the UK<\/h3>\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left  vc_custom_1685543458520\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/immigrating-to-uk-resized-2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Asian sending money through Kabayan Remit\" title=\"immigrating-to-uk-resized-2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/immigrating-to-uk-resized-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/immigrating-to-uk-resized-2-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/immigrating-to-uk-resized-2-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539583166\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Immigrating to the UK can be challenging; luckily, Kabayan Remit is here to help you on your journey. Visit our blog to learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/finance\/saving-with-sss-peso-funds\/\">saving<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/finance\/types-of-investments\/\">investing<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/finance\/5-money-management-tips-for-ofws\/\">financial management<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539597730\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>To deal with life in the UK, we have also written guides on dealing with <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/what-is-culture-shock\/\">culture shock<\/a>, manoeuvring the <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/uk-education-system\/\">British school system<\/a> and its <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/school-grading-system-uk\/\">exams<\/a>, and adjusting to <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/understanding-british-culture\/\">British culture<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539604817\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Just like Harry said, it pays to be financially savvy. Whenever you send money to the Philippines, always look for remittance services that offer competitive exchange rates and have secure money transfer capabilities. It\u2019s even better if these services work with other merchants who can build your investment portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element  vc_custom_1685539613495\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Kabayan Remit has these qualities and more. To learn more about our services, talk to our 24\/7 bilingual customer service team <a href=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/customer-support\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Immigrating to the UK or any country and leaving our loved ones behind is a difficulty that some might not be willing to challenge. Filipinos leave their homeland for various reasons, but they usually have one thing in common: They want a better life for their loved ones. In this article, we talk with Harry, a Filipino nurse who chose to work in the United Kingdom (UK) to become the breadwinner of his family.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3224,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,7],"tags":[107],"class_list":["post-3187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-travel","tag-immigrating-to-the-uk"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Immigrating to the UK: The story of an OFW nurse | Kabayan Remit<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Immigrating to the UK is a challenge many Filipinos may consider. 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Leaving our loved ones behind to pursue better career opportunities.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/immigrating-to-the-uk\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kabayan Remit\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kabayanremit\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-06-08T14:38:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-08T15:29:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/kabayanremit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-6.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jessica Santiago\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@KabayanRemit\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@KabayanRemit\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jessica Santiago\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/lifestyle\\\/immigrating-to-the-uk\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/lifestyle\\\/immigrating-to-the-uk\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jessica Santiago\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/c808a3a367e69c0dedbb5b6d79a1dd4b\"},\"headline\":\"Immigrating to the UK: The story of an OFW nurse who worked in the NHS\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-06-08T14:38:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-08T15:29:22+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/lifestyle\\\/immigrating-to-the-uk\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2082,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/lifestyle\\\/immigrating-to-the-uk\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-6.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Immigrating to the UK\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Lifestyle\",\"Travel\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/lifestyle\\\/immigrating-to-the-uk\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/lifestyle\\\/immigrating-to-the-uk\\\/\",\"name\":\"Immigrating to the UK: The story of an OFW nurse | Kabayan Remit\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/lifestyle\\\/immigrating-to-the-uk\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/lifestyle\\\/immigrating-to-the-uk\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kabayanremit.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/Immigrating-to-the-UK-6.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-06-08T14:38:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-08T15:29:22+00:00\",\"description\":\"Immigrating to the UK is a challenge many Filipinos may consider. 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