I have been in the Philippines for three years, and I have developed a habit of keeping a diary. Originally, these entries were just a record of my life in the Philippines. Recently, I have noticed that more and more students are considering living in the Philippines, yet they lack understanding of the situation there and even hold misconceptions. Therefore, I decided to write down my experiences and feelings for everyone's reference.
Many people may still find it strange why one would choose to study in a country like the Philippines. Perhaps many still think that the Philippines is a very backward country. While it is true that the Philippine economy has regressed significantly in recent years, we cannot dismiss the country entirely. At the very least, ten years ago, it was one of the Four Asian Tigers and was much stronger than China. Furthermore, I believe we should not measure a country's educational standards solely by its economic level. India's economy is not strong either, yet the Indian Institutes of Technology are places that many students around the world aspire to attend. In my three years in the Philippines, I have come to appreciate their educational methods; the purely American-style education is very helpful for students to reach their full potential.
Studying abroad has become a trend, and many feel that studying abroad is just for "gilding" one's resume. For students like me from an average family background, choosing the right location for study abroad is very important and a rare opportunity. As only children, our parents do not want us to suffer too much while away. The Philippines is a place with a relatively good English-speaking environment among Asian countries. Tuition and living expenses are relatively low, allowing one to focus more energy on studies without worrying about financial issues. After all, when studying abroad, learning is the most important thing.
Let me also address the issue of safety. When away from home, safety is a concern for everyone. Many people may have seen negative news about the Philippines and feel it is very dangerous. However, those of us living here do not feel that way; instead, when watching CNN news every day, it feels like it is actually more unsafe back home. Safety is relative. If we talk about the crime rate in the Philippines, it is much lower than in the United States, yet many people are still desperate to go to the United States.
Finally, let me talk about agencies. Many people ask me if they can handle the process themselves. This is not easy to answer. First of all, I was introduced by someone; it was not a formal agency. It was an acquaintance whose child was studying here who contacted our school's teachers to come to China to conduct our entrance exams. Once we passed, they issued us admission letters, and then we went to the Philippine Embassy in China to apply for student visas. At that time, the agency fee paid was 2,000 USD, which did not include the exam fees we paid at the time, the teachers' expenses in China, etc.; it added up to almost 3,000 USD. After arriving, I found that there are some formal agencies. Their fees might be higher, but they help you handle all the procedures you need during your years in the Philippines. You wouldn't have to keep running to the Bureau of Immigration like I do. Many people feel that paying so much money to an agency is not cost-effective. This depends on individual perspectives. If you handle it yourself, you still need to apply for a tourist visa to come over for exams or applications, and your expenses in the Philippines during this period will not be low. Moreover, if you do not pass, it is very troublesome. If you really want to find an agency, you should look for one that is legally registered and guaranteed. I once knew two friends who came from Changsha to study pharmacy; they had an individual handle it for them, but as a result, their tourist visas expired before things were settled, and they had to run back to China, wasting a lot of money.
