Guest Blog: Through the eyes of an immigrant nurse

Moving to a new country is a life-changing experience, full of challenges, surprises, and personal growth. In this guest post, Ruth Almoguera shares her journey from the Philippines to the U.S., reflecting on the cultural differences, lessons learned, and the mindset that keeps her motivated every day.

The decision to move abroad was probably the most difficult choice I have ever made in my life. Moving to another country involves intricate planning, episodes of mental breakdowns, and financial sacrifice. But after 2 years of being here in the U.S., I can tell that it was all worth it.

As they say, change is the only constant in life and we all deal with it differently. I’d like to share with you what I usually say in the mirror to hype myself up:

“Wherever I am, whoever I have around me, whatever happens, this is my life and I will the make the most of it.”

This is perhaps what they mean when they talk about future self-awareness. A week into our transition, I actually made a list of how life in the Philippines differs from life in the U.S., not knowing that one day, I’d be writing about it.

1. Individualism vs Collectivism

In the Philippines, I am used to prioritizing my family’s needs first and how we will grow as a unit because we all live in one house which is the exact opposite of how life is here in the U.S. People here are very independent. They expect their kids to move out at a young age and face the world on their own. It is normal that families will gather once in a while to keep the bond. Both ways of life have their own advantages and drawbacks, but I am sure that no matter the distance, family bonds are built on love, communication and memories.

2. Four seasons vs two seasons

Rainy and warm seasons are the only climates we have back home in the Philippines. The first time I experienced snow here in America, it was extraordinary. And yes, I recorded myself, I made snow angels, and I actually tried tasting it too. I genuinely enjoyed the first week of winter but dreaded the entire season after that first week. Having been here for 2 years now, I actually look forward to season changes mainly because of the things that we can only do for a specific season, like going to the beach every summer, watching flowers bloom every spring, leaf peeping in the fall and sledding during winter.

3. Everything is bigger in the U.S.

Food portions and soda sizes are incredibly bigger here than in the Philippines. The first restaurant that we tried here in West Virginia was a Vietnamese restaurant and we ordered 2 meals expecting that it will be enough for me and my husband for our lunch. I am not exaggerating when I say that meal lasted for two days! Fast food and soft drinks are not just large in size, but they are also refillable.

4. Work ethic and timeliness

Americans are known for being on time, and it’s true! Living here made us realize that arriving on time or even few minutes earlier than scheduled actually gets a lot of things done and it is also a sign of respect. Recognizing the value of time allows us to foster meaningful experiences and connections, so this is one value that I will try to proudly uphold.

5. Tipping culture

Honestly, this is perhaps the most difficult culture that we have had to adapt to, not because we are not grateful for their service, but this is not mandatory and less customary for us Filipinos. We actually had a negative experience about this here in the U.S. when we dined in a Thai restaurant. This was back when we had only been in the U.S. for a month. We tipped $5 after dining and the server questioned us and asked if they did something wrong. We were baffled and we didn’t realize that they would take that tip negatively. After few months and some research, we are now more knowledgeable and we always try to tip accordingly.

Moving abroad is never easy, but as Ruth’s story shows, embracing the challenges and celebrating the small victories along the way can make the journey worthwhile. Her reflections remind us that courage, adaptability, and a positive mindset can turn any transition into an opportunity for growth and discovery.

Start your own U.S. journey and realize your American dream just like Ruth.