Did you know that OFWs and domestic helpers in Singapore have the option to attend classes during their days-off to learn a new skill or for continuing professional education? Exciting, isn’t it?
This is just one of the many ways you can be productive with your time during your stay here in Singapore. In this post, we will share some tips and reminders on how you can get started with your studies while working as a domestic helper in Singapore.
Disclaimer: The information published is based on the experience shared by the vlogger/YouTuber. The information provided may change without prior notice and may differ in actual scenarios. Let this article serve as a guide only.
Here is the video guide shared by a Filipina domestic helper in Singapore, Jhin, a.k.a. YAYA JHIN on YouTube. If you find her tips helpful, you may check out her YouTube channel to catch more interesting content about her work and life as an OFW in Singapore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAYHMOYY2PY
Studying While Working as a Domestic Helper in Singapore: Here’s What You Need to Know
Going back to school may be a dream for many OFWs, but it’s something that you can actually pursue while working here in Singapore. Of course, there are a couple of things that you need to take care of first before you pursue further studies in a foreign country.
According to Yaya Jhin, although she was not able to pursue this herself, there are considerations that you need to make before you could even enroll in a course that you prefer:
#1. Schedule
Because our goal for going to Singapore is to work, our priority is our schedule at work. Unfortunately for Yaya Jhin, she was only able to request one day-off in a month so studying during her free time is not possible.
But for those who are interested to take up classes or extra lessons during your free time, consider requesting for at least two to three days off in a month. This will give you the time you need to enroll in weekend classes here in Singapore.
Singapore laws allow for one day off per week for domestic helpers. But as we’ve mentioned, you can request for 2-3 days off in a month. This can be sorted out during your application and interview where they will be asking you for your preference when it comes to work-related matters. You can even discuss your plans to study in Singapore as part of your personal goals as a domestic helper, so you can request for additional days off.
#2. Courses
As you would expect in most countries, there are also several schools or tech-vocational centers in Singapore where you can enroll to take up classes during your days off.
According to Jhin, some of the courses offered for domestic helpers in Singapore include:
- Basic Computer Skills (MS Office training, Corel, etc.)
- Internet Usage
- Entrepreneurship
- Voice Lessons
- Language Classes
- Nursing and Caregiving
- Physical Therapy
- Culinary Skills
Whether you want to learn a new skill or to upgrade your existing skill set, you have plenty of options for courses to take here in Singapore. It’s also a good idea to inform your employers of the course you are interested to take so they can give you advice or suggestion, or even sponsor your schooling for a skill you can perform as part of your job as a domestic helper in Singapore such as cooking, nursing and caregiving, etc.
#3. Tuition Fees
This will vary depending on the course you will take. Some courses are paid per session/class while others are paid in bundle (e.g. 4-weekend classes, etc). You will need to do your research on this one. Aside from the time you are required to report in class, you should also consider the distance of the school or center you are going to, as this can be an additional expense on your part. The closer you are to your school or training center, the easier it is for you to report to class and save up on your transportation cost – even if classes are only held once a week.
#4. Requirements
Depending on the course you choose, you may be required to submit certain documents such as IDs, school, medical records, etc so consider these things too when planning your trip overseas.
Anyway, if the school will accept digital copies of the required documents, then you can easily request your family back in the Philippines to send you those documents through email. Isn’t it great that we live in modern times with convenient tools and technology? However, you may still need to provide physical copies of valid IDs such as your work permit or passport, so keep those important documents on hand when applying for courses you wish to take here in Singapore.
#5. Goals in the Future
If you can communicate your goals with your employers then there might be a chance that they can help you achieve them. But, this won’t be as easy as you would expect if you’re only starting out here in Singapore.
You need to somehow prove yourself to your employers that you are capable, responsible, and motivated enough to pursue a higher goal such as going back to school even while working as a full-time domestic helper.
Also, since you wouldn’t want to work as a domestic helper for the rest of your life, it’s also good to consider the things that you want to do, say, when you return to the Philippines. Learning a new skill that you can earn from is a smart way to maximize your time here in Singapore.
Those are just some of the things that you need to consider if you’re planning to study while working here in Singapore. As usual, you may need to sacrifice a little bit more should you wish to pursue this as a goal for yourself, but think of it as an important investment for yourself and your family in the future.
Have you tried enrolling for a course while working as a domestic helper in Singapore? What was that experience like? Are there any tips you would like to share to help other OFWs who might be considering this option while they are working in Singapore? Let us know by leaving a comment in the section below!
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