Life outside your home country can be both liberating and humbling. For many skilled professionals and graduates who relocate abroad, the dream of a better future often collides with the harsh realities of survival. The transition is rarely smooth—especially when qualifications from back home don’t immediately translate into high-paying jobs in a foreign land. Yet, in these struggles lies an unspoken truth: there is dignity in all honest labour, no matter how menial it may seem.
The Reality of Starting from Scratch Abroad
Moving to a new country often means starting from zero. Certificates and years of professional experience may not be recognized without additional local certifications. Bills don’t wait, and pride doesn’t pay rent. Many highly educated immigrants—doctors, engineers, lawyers—find themselves taking on jobs they would never have considered back home.
A medical doctor from Nigeria, for instance, might end up working in a restaurant. An accountant from India might deliver groceries. A university lecturer from the Philippines could be cleaning offices. These stories are not failures—they are testaments to resilience.
Survival First, Pride Later
When the bank account is running dry and family responsibilities loom, the luxury of waiting for the “perfect job” disappears. The choice becomes simple: take whatever work is available or risk sinking completely.
One graduate shared his experience of walking into every shop on a busy street in East London, desperately asking for work—any work—until a restaurant owner gave him a chance. The pay was low, the hours were long, but it kept him afloat while he prepared for licensing exams. That temporary job became the bridge to stability.
The Hypocrisy of “Dignified Work”
Society often glorifies white-collar jobs while looking down on manual labour. But abroad, the definition of “dignified work” shifts. A janitor in Canada might earn more than a bank manager in some developing nations. A construction worker in Germany could afford a better quality of life than an office worker back home.
The truth is, dignity isn’t in the job title—it’s in the effort, the honesty, and the determination to keep moving forward. Those who judge have often never faced the desperation of needing to feed their families with no safety net.
The Temporary Grind That Leads to Success
No one plans to push trolleys, wash dishes, or clean toilets forever. These jobs are often stepping stones—a means to an end. Many successful professionals today once took on odd jobs just to survive. The key is to keep striving for more while doing whatever it takes in the present.
A doctor driving Uber at night to fund his medical license.
An engineer working in a warehouse while upskilling for local certifications.
A teacher doing night shifts at a petrol station to support her family.
These stories don’t end in struggle; they end in triumph. But the triumph only comes to those willing to endure the grind.
Ignore the Noise, Focus on Your Journey
Social media paints a distorted picture—everyone seems to be thriving except you. But behind the scenes, many are hustling in silence. Your journey is yours alone. If you need to take a survival job today to build a better tomorrow, do it without shame.
The person mocking you for working a “lowly” job isn’t paying your bills. The ones who truly matter will respect your hustle.
Final Word: Push Forward, No Matter What
Life outside your country will test you. But if you stay focused, work hard, and keep your eyes on the bigger picture, the struggles of today will become the success story of tomorrow.
There is no shame in honest work. The only shame is in giving up.
So if you must push that barrow today, push it with pride. Your future self will thank you for it.
