WHAT TO DO AFTER

After endless group meetings, numerous class presentations, countless papers and nights spent studying for exams, you’re finally done! Who thought time could fly by so fast? Now is the perfect time to relax while you wait for your graduation ceremony. But before you celebrate, we think this is a good time to assess what you have accomplished so far and if there are any goals you still want to achieve. It’s a rather anti-climactic moment for you since graduation is not really an end but the beginning of better things ahead.

We hope that you at least accomplished what you set out to do, that is, getting a degree. Our interviews brought on a mixed bag of reactions regarding their experience, with a touch regret among some. Victoria Goseco (Columbia University, New York) wished she had more extracurricular activities. A few mentioned some slight disappointment with their respective programs. It wasn’t probably what they expected. Most, though, thoroughly enjoyed the experience and recommend it for those considering studying abroad. Everybody was in agreement they learned a lot both in school and living on their own.

When asked about the most important thing they learned:

That in many ways it is pretty much the same everywhere.—Yeyey Cruz, Royal College of Art, London

Independence. Living and thriving in a totally different culture. Being accepting of other people. Realizing the world is a very small place.—Bibi Choa, Sophia University, Tokyo

Obtaining insights about work/life from a multi-national, multi-cultural perspective.—Eric Franco, MBA, Stanford, California

Confidence.—Therese Ng, New York University, New York

Independence in thought and in action. Oh, did I say a better sense of humor about the way the world works?—Rhoel Dinglasan, Yale University, Connecticut

After reflecting on the past, it’s a good idea to plan your options a few months before graduation. What are the choices? This will depend on your host country’s policy on Filipino students working after graduation, you may search for a job or if you enjoyed the academic environment a lot, pursue further studies. Returning to the Philippines and exploring your opportunities is another possibility. The possibilities can be overwhelming. At the same time we found ourselves a little intimidated by the job-hunting process, figuring out the paperwork, or even packing all the stuff we’ve accumulated.

This is not meant to stress you out. We want you excited but we want you mindful of the practicalities. The future leads to places you never dreamed of going, or it might be exactly what you planned.

Titchie: Before I left for NYU, I was determined to return to the Philippines immediately after graduation. People thought I was crazy not to want to stay on and explore opportunities in New York. So I found a job at the interactive division of an advertising agency and it was fun since it was the height of the dot-com craze. After my practical training expired, I returned to Manila to work and spend time with my family for a year. I got married and moved back to the US where my husband works for an international organization. So here I am, living happily in a future I didn’t plan.

Tricia: After obtaining my Masters, I planned on getting a job in the US and saving up to open a business back home. But who would’ve known that I would marry the first Caucasian I dated and decide to stay!

Keep in mind that immigration policies are constantly changing and the information we provide are offered as guidelines. We strongly recommend asking the embassy or the international student advisors in your school when you start planning life after graduation. You may want to already make inquiries when you register at the international student’s office even if it might seem too early. If you know your options you can plan for it.