Philippine E-Journals

The Exodus of Filipino Teachers to the United States of America: The Whys and Wherefores

Norlene Alsado | Jewel Oliveros

Discipline: others in psychology

 

Abstract:

The Massive Exodus of Filipino Teachers was founded by the Commission on Filipino Overseas, which reported that 45,909 Filipinos participated in the Exchange Visitor Programs in 2018. In this context, the researcher is curious to investigate why there is already a massive exodus of Filipino teachers to the United States. Thus, this phenomenological study aimed to explore why there is an enormous exodus of Filipino teachers to the United States. This study used a Qualitative research design to answer research questions and determine the experiences of teachers who leave their home country to teach in the United States. This study utilized the transcendental phenomenology proposed by Moustakas. The participants in this study, selected through Purposive Sampling, were 7 Filipino teachers in different states in the United States. These participants were interviewed via Zoom, adhering to the interview guidelines and protocols, and were recorded and uploaded to an online transcription application. From the lived experiences of the seven Filipino teachers in their exodus to America for work, seven themes emerged, each with 23 subthemes. Each theme discussed the various factors that influenced their decision to teach and stay in the United States of America. Findings revealed that the reasons for the massive exodus of Filipino teachers include heavy workloads, financial freedom, the need to earn more for their families, and low salaries in the Philippines. They also wanted to teach in the USA because the support from administrators and co-teachers is strong, the resources are free and readily available, and most of all, they have time for breaks; they could feel the vacations and rest time in the USA. Nevertheless, living in the USA is not just a bed of roses; it also comes with challenges such as language barriers, homesickness, students' attitudes, and technological factors. Despite the hustle and bustle of their lives as teachers, they still chose to stay in the land of the free. From the moment the desire was conceived to the decision to leave the country, the whys and wherefores of their exodus were peppered with ups and downs: too much is at stake, too many people will be affected if they give up. Their experiences provided more profound insight into how they pursued their goals and remained steadfast. Staying in the same financial limbo that teachers often face, with many loans to build a decent life, is a surefire way to funnel local talent into the international fold.