From Home to A New Horizon
Just over a year ago, I packed my bags ๐งณ and embarked on an adventure, trading the comfort of my home country, the Philippines ๐ต๐ญ for the vibrant city of Singapore ๐ธ๐ฌ.
I took on an exciting role at the global tech giant, Equinix, as a Software Engineer ๐จโ๐ป. Now, I'm looking back and celebrating ๐ the milestone of my first work-anniversary in this exhilarating role!
Building Resilience
Navigating life ๐งญ in an unfamiliar country as an expat, especially for the first time, has indeed been challenging.
Living alone, away from my family, has at times been a lonely ๐ experience. Searching for a place ๐ to call home in a city foreign to me was one of the first obstacles I faced. I sifted through numerous listings ๐๏ธ, contacted lots of strangers and visited countless properties ๐ข before finally finding a place I could settle into ๐๏ธ.
Yet, amidst these challenges, I found resilience and perseverance. Every hurdle faced was a step closer to making Singapore feel like home. I was fuelled by my passion, the drive to broaden my horizons, and above all, the thought of providing a better life for my family โค๏ธ.
Embracing Cultural Diversity
Living in Singapore as an expat has also been an enriching journey. Apart from honing my professional skills, I've been immersed in a melting pot of diverse cultures, languages, and traditions ๐.
One of the highlights is discovering the love for Indian food ๐ฅ. My taste buds have embarked on an adventure of their own, exploring the symphony of spices and flavours in dishes like mutton curry, butter chicken, biryani, naan and many more! ๐ ๐ซ ๐คค.
I fondly recall a friend, jokingly suggesting that I must have been Indian in my past life! ๐คฃ โค๏ธ
Moreover, I've also developed a special fondness for local delights such as Laksa, a spicy noodle soup ๐, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Singapore's national dish ๐ and my Perfect Pair, a cup of Kopi โ and Kaya Toast ๐ฅช.
These culinary journeys have not only tantalized my palate but also provided a comfort away from home ๐.
A Year of Extraordinary Experiences
My journey ๐บ๏ธ in the past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. I've had the privilege to work and contribute alongside some of the best people here in Singapore and Silicon Valley ๐ฉโ๐ป๐จโ๐ป, an experience that has enriched my professional life immensely.
Participating in an internal (global) Hackathon was a standout moment, where our team secured the People's Choice Award ๐ (out of 41 teams participated), a testament to our combined efforts and ingenuity.
I've met also an array of cool people, including fellow Filipinos ๐ต๐ญ, creating a sense of community in this foreign land.
I've attended countless tech meetups and events ๐๏ธ, each one a learning opportunity and a chance to network with like-minded individuals.
Giving Back to the Tech Community
In addition to my work at Equinix, I've expanded my contributions to the open-source community ๐จโ๐ป. I've had the opportunity to create tools and solutions that can help fellow developersโwhich has been incredibly rewarding ๐.
I regularly update my GitHub Profile with all of my latest works! ๐
This year, I also began my own blog ๐ (yes, this blog!). It's always been a fun way to share my ideas and connect with other tech enthusiasts.
Reflections and Future
Celebrating one year as an Expat Software Engineer isn't just a work-anniversary, it's a nod to my journey of growth and a promise of the exciting adventures that lie ahead.
Here's to a fantastic year, the lessons learned ๐, the friendships made, and the thrilling journey that awaits! ๐
Cover Photo by Nils Nedel on Unsplash
Top comments (3)
Amazing. I have a similar goal.
Interesting post. I am eagerly waiting for the continuation.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I look forward to sharing more soon! ๐ฏ๐ค๐