Why do so many OFW's get homesick when moving abroad?

The Philippines Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs) These migrant workers who go overseas number by the thousands and bring into the country remittances amounting to many millions of pesos. They search for a better life not only for themselves but also the families they leave behind. The physical distance takes a toll because Filipinos, given a choice, would really much prefer to have their families with them. They are clannish and enjoy the company of their family, relatives and friends. It is not surprising that the main complaint is homesickness- for the people they love who are back home and also the carefree way of life among the people they care for. If given a choice, they would much prefer to be working back in their country. Unfortunately, the high unemployment rate is the very reason driving these workers to seek for greener pastures abroad. People from other cultures have a different way of life. Most of the people you come across are also overseas visitors who are tourists. They enjoy sightseeing and the like because it's only for a short time. Most are on holiday and not working so they are out to enjoy themselves. You have to admire and thank the OFWs for their great sacrifice. They work hard and are lonely yet they strive very hard so they can give their families a better future.

Yap artz is right and When an american go abroad people will talk to him in english thus minimizing the effect of homesickness. And people in that foreign country will treat him nice because they know that he got other option. When a filipino go to another country people will not talk to him in filipino thus maximizing the effect of homesickness. And people of that foreign country know that he needs/want to be there thus treating him kinda different. And "contract", money problem, work, bosses, stupidness, etc., etc. And to be honest the first time i called my parent after living the country i cried not because of the "feeling" but because of the thought that "hey, that's a familiar voice". Now its like "oh anak kailan ka magbabakasyon,,.,,.,, kapag na ubos na langis dito sa middle east"

I am american Married to a Pinay I met in Korea. OFW from Asia are treated like slaves and do not have the money or freedom to do anything they want in other countries like Americans. You can beat a lot of home sickness if you have enough freedom and money. Philippina are a proud people and I respect them for leaving home to help support there families. It's too bad they are cheated out of there pay and freedom in other countries like Korea.

I am an OFW myself. In my first year abroad, I was really homesick. The vastness of space in Saudi Arabia can really get to you, you know. Ever heard of the rendition by Martin Nievera of "Pagbabalik"? There is a part there which says: "Oh! Kay layo ni'yo! Di na abot na aking pananaw Walang tulay na kayang abutin itong mga taon .... Kung di ng alaala." It is no longer simply the distance. It is the years, and the alternate reality that becomes unattainable.

FILIPINOS HAVE BIG FAMILIES,AND THEY LOVE THEIR FAMILIES TOO MUCH.IT IS A SACRIFICE TO BE AWAY FROM THEM.

us philipinos are really connected to family its very rare that theres divorce in the philipines

The answer is obvious: not seeing their families (spouse, children, siblings, parents) for periods of time that are determined by other people (employers and debtors). The difference between Fil-Am/expats who come to be Philippines to work/visit long-term as compared with OFWs who work overseas is that the former chooses to move there (often seeking to enjoy the experiences fringe benefits); the latter has no choice but does so in order to keep his/her family fed, sheltered and clothed. OFWs are not as interested in sightseeing and exploring/experiencing other cultures as the expats; their primary objective is to make money. Most every Fil-Am and expat who comes to te Philippines also has "golden umbrella clause"; at most any time that can always pack and leave the country to go back to their new home countries and pick up where they left off--essentially a life of relative privilege and influence as compared to most pinoys in the Philippines. Tell me: why are you (a presumed Fil-Am) living in the Philippines now? Is it by choice or necessity?

i am filipino in U.S, i am married to an americn guy. i believe OFW's tend to get homesick when they are out of the country because they don't have family abroad, and as we all know, family is the most important people in our life, our relationship in our family is tight and strong, we are very emotional and we hold memories a lot while Americans do not have the same bonding and closeness with their family, at the age of 18 they will start to move out from their parents place and get their own place, mostly they are closer to friends than their own family, so wherever they go they will not be sad or get homesick because they do not have any family to be missed because they are used to not to be with their family. and for them it is adventure when they go to another place and they just want to enjoy the whole trip.

Man, you're talking about Americans on vacation... of course they're happy! Them Filipinos you meet are abroad to WORK in a foreign country, eat foreign food and talk to foreign people (often in a language other than english).