The UAE is known across the world as a land of opportunities and as a transition country where 90% of the population are expats, of which Filipinos numbering almost a million comprise of the third largest expatriate community.
Among those Filipinos is 27-year-old Ariel Salonga from Pampanga in the Philippines – a typical OFW with an extraordinary dream. He, along with his beautiful wife, lived a life of convenience and comfort with his job as an F&B supervisor while his wife worked as a nurse.
An unexpected move
However, the Kapampangan’s life turned for the worse when his company’s financial struggles caused him to lose his job last February 2019. But with his family in mind and his will to live a better life, he then began the first steps of his Australian journey with The Visa Center (TVC) to triumph over the challenges that he faced.
Ariel then fast tracked his application from what started as an introduction last March 10, 2019. He managed to comply with all the requirements by April 3 as TVC lodged his visa application. And just eight days later on April 11 – he woke up with a new beginning in his hands as his visa was granted.
Fortune favored Ariel’s bold move as just a few days after landing in Australia, he was able to find a part time job. “In just 8 days after I landed in Australia I immediately got a part-time job since students are only allowed to work on a part-time basis. From that day onwards, blessings and opportunities continued to come until eventually got a job offer to work as a cook in a hotel. My boss, who was really impressed about my work, has already expressed his intentions of hiring me full time as soon as I have finished my studies,” shared Ariel.
Abundance of grace
With the outpouring of part time job offers with some extending into opportunities for a full time position by the time he finishes his studies, Ariel extends his words of gratitude to all of those people who were instrumental in living the life that he enjoys today. “My pocket money of $1500 when I got here is still complete since I am earning decent amount from my part time jobs. I am overwhelmed, I couldn’t be thankful enough,” said Ariel.
He continues to thank TVC, for continuously providing guidance. “The Visa Center has been a blessing to me and an instrument for me to be able to reach this once in a lifetime experience that will definitely improve my future. They have provided guidance to me since the day I decided to seek their assistance and even until now that I’m already here in Australia – they never hesitate to go beyond their obligations to me as long as they could assure my well-being,” shares Ariel.
Your motivating partner
Ariel still recalls that had he listened to the advice from other ill-manned people, pessimism would have gotten the better of him. However, it was his unyielding Kampampangan spirit coupled with TVC’s continuous motivational push that helped him hold his ground and keep his head up high: “There are still good people that could help you achieve it like “The Visa Center”. If I have listened to other people way back when I was in Al Ain that I am a hopeless case and that I could not apply for a student visa because I am just holding a visit visa during that time but I did not give up on my dreams instead I found the right people that could give proper and genuine advice and that is the amazing team of The Visa Center.”
Filipinos in the UAE who wish to follow in Ariel’s footsteps towards success can contact The Visa Center located at 101 NBQ Building, Bank Street, Bur Dubai, Dubai UAE. Office timings are from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm daily. TVC’s landline number is 04-331-0006.Their Facebook page is: The Visa Center.
Watch Ariel’s journey here: Ariel’s interview with The Visa Center
