Table 3: Contextual categories and sample of significant statements.

Contextual Categories Significant Statements
Sustained Instrumental
Activities of Daily Living
(IADL) and
Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
“My usual days would be assisting the Dean and the Vice Dean for Quality Development, Lectures and meetings with the College Unit Groups, attend workshops/lecture sessions on Faculty Development and Nursing Department I belong to.” (KF, Interview 10, Line 15).
“I usually go out for a coffee with my friends twice or thrice a week and during weekend, I go to Zulfi, 1.5 hours away from my place to visit my close friends. Mostly, I spend my day driving after work to go home, rest for a while, cook dinner, then go out a coffee or sometimes, I get my friends from their house, try to go to supermarket for groceries, went back home and cook dinner with them.” (NB, Interview 20, Line 48-49).
Adapting to a
Different Diet
“In general, the attitude and behavior of other countries. The food that I eat here is more oily, salty and fatty, which makes me now hypertensive resulting me to have maintenance for 5 years already.” (SR, Interview 8, Line 11).
“When I first arrived in Saudi Arabia these are challenges or difficulties I encountered such as the food – too spicy, fatty, salty, no pork – not like in the Philippines.” (JG, Interview 12, Line 15).
Managing Stress through
Diversional Activities,
Rest and Sleep
“The usual day for me… I woke up at 5:30am, prepare my breakfast and prepare my things for school and I spent 7 hours at work from 8-3pm. I have a complete sleep and rest. When I arrived home at 3pm I prepare my lunch and take a nap when there are no deadlines in the school. Sometimes I go out with friends after work. Before I go to bed at 10 or 11pm I usually review or browse my lectures for the following day. During weekends (Friday and Saturday) I do laundry and clean the house and also it’s a time to have a long sleep and rest.” (JG, Interview 12, Line 36-41)
“I usually stay at home to take a rest to rejuvenate my mind. Sometimes, I meditate or listen to good music, or even go to out to dine out with some friends.” (SW, Interview 13, Line 7-8)
Managing
Communication
Barriers
“I am having difficulties when it comes to communication to the patients because I can’t speak Arabic so I need my students to interpret what the patients are saying… (JVS, Interview 11, Line 16-17)
“Another challenge I faced is the language barriers. In spite of being here for quite long time, I did not learn the language. I just know some colloquial words used every day. Gladly, the medium of instructions in the university is English but sometimes especially during meetings they will not mind expatriate’s presence… they will do it in Arabic. So, I just don’t mind at all and just get some keywords to catch up to whatever they are discussing. However, some Arabs get conscious and will shift back to English. Haha.” (PL, Interview 15, Line 26-31)
“Having at least a basic knowledge of the language will go a long way helping you practice effectively in a foreign country.” (KF, Interview 10, Line 4)
Existential
Perceptions
“It’s a mixture of happiness and disappointment sometimes. Happiness because I get to touch state of the art equipment for teaching, the salary is much higher than in the Philippines, new environment, new found friends etc. Sometimes it’s disappointing because of the people you deal with like colleagues (other nationalities - simple instructions they can’t get, simple things they make it complex) and students (generally speaking they are not as sharp as Filipino students they are much pampered everything is spoon-fed.” (MA, Interview 1, Line 3-5)
“It is indeed challenging. It is like finding the best position to harmonize, approximate, reconcile two ends – two culture, two standards, two systems/process and so forth. In doing so, it entails conducting yourself with high degree of professionalism, keeping up with the demands and pacing of works and upholding the Filipino brand of nursing academicians.” (MS, Interview 3, Line 1-3)
Living up
the Core Values
“I think the whole experience of living and working in the Middle East equips me with grit and perseverance and humility to get through the worst experiences that I had like being away from my loved ones and handling stressful situations by myself.” (ADC, Interview 16, Line 14)
“Accepting a totally different life that I am used to as compared to when I was in my home country.” (TLA, Interview 7, Line7)
“Because of my positive outlook I always have good relationship with my colleagues, and superiors even to all of my previous employers.” (SR, Interview 8, Line 16)
Application
of Coping
Mechanisms
“Working abroad as Nurse Educator has a lot of joys and challenges. I can say that it is not easy as we think when we are in a new country it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The process of adapting may not be easy, but once you have overcome these obstacles, you will find that the experience will have greatly enhanced your confidence in your ability to solve problems and deal with challenging circumstances. You learn that you are much more capable of tolerating discomfort, as well as communicate with and understand people with different upbringings and value systems. These are all very valuable skills to bring home with you, and will be extremely beneficial for your career and your own personal growth. I believe that through my perseverance I conquered everything… and not giving up knowing that the world can be both friendly and rough sometimes. You must enjoy the life that you have at the moment, the more experience you gain the more mature you become.” (JG, Interview 12, Line 50-55)
“Self- discipline and commitment play important roles in giving time to everything that you need to accomplish. Just do it and before you know it, everything was done properly.” (TLA, Interview 7, Line 11-12)
Acquisition of
Competencies
“In my experience, I need to critical thinker and motivate my student first then let them learn how to appreciate the value and importance of education particularly the specific course that I’m teaching them.” (SR, Interview 8, Line 28)
“As a nurse educator living and working in a foreign country I can say that no matter how mentally prepared you are, there will always be unforeseen challenges that could frustrate you especially when they all happen at the same time. It takes a lot of introspection, resilience, and the courage to smoothen the transition. And this learning process alone can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will have.” (JG, Interview 12, Line 44-46)
Interpersonal
Relationship
“I surrounded myself with people with positive outlook in life. In that way, I will be influenced to do the same.” (RJB, Interview 4, Line 31-32)
“Of course my family in the Philippines and Australia. Whenever I miss them, I can call them anytime through Facetime and messenger. Here in the kingdom, my university workmates and church mates. I have also my foster parents here, Tay Randy and Nay Lydia… that takes cares of me and treated me as their own child. I am very fortunate I have their supports.” (PL, Interview 15, Line 45-47)
Socio-Cultural
Adaptation
“Cultural Differences… living abroad had shaken the old habits and routine both mental and physical that you feel most comfortable with. You need to follow or stick to certain habits from body language, social and workplace interaction. “ (JG, Interview 12, Line 16-17)
“Every time you go out you need to wear Abaya and headscarf. There is different section for male and female for the restaurant.” (JG, Interview 12, Line 23-24)
Environmental Safety
and Security
“It made me believe that everything that I have heard from people about bad things in Saudi Arabia changed. I can attest to it.” (PL, Interview 15, Line 81-82)
“The climactic and atmospheric conditions are not big issues since they can just stay at home during rain of ice or sand storm. The weather may suck sometimes; this country is one of the best home for every family.” (MA, Interview 2, Line 49-50)
Improved
Socio-Economic Stability
“More of the advantages than disadvantages because receiving a lot here financially and have a comfortable working condition and facilities than the Philippines.” (SS, Interview 5, Line 9)
“It is very rewarding in terms of financial gain as I receive good salary grade as a nurse educator in the Middle East.” (YG, Interview 14, Line 1)
Engaging in
Religious Practices
“Aside from it, I have a church group here in the kingdom. Every Friday, we have bible studies and fellowship services, which I believe contributed a lot for me to be humble at all times. This support group made me feels that I am not alone here… I fell the warm hugs of my family whenever I am with them.” (PL, Interview 15, Line 42-44)
“Listening to preaching of Grace preachers/teachers, reading/meditating scriptures, studying worship songs, managing church itineraries, doing household chores, baby-sitting, etc.” (MS, Interview 3, Line 18)
Adjusting to
New Legal Environment
“Life here in Saudi is too enclosed with rules and regulations. There are so many things prohibited and prevented like we cannot talk to females. Alcohol and parties are not allowed. No pork and other products not allowed in the Muslim religion. We are also prohibited to conduct religious activities and so many more. There are times I feel I cannot breathe because of these rules and regulations, which I missed a lot in the Philippines.” (PL, Interview 15, Line 64-68)
Expat living in foreign country has no freedom to do things they want to do. They need to abide the rules to maintain good status.” (LMC, Interview 19, Line 6-7)
High Sense of Professional
Competence
“In terms of work responsibility, I consider it lighter workload as compared with my previous job in the Philippines.” (YG, Interview 14, Line 2)
“I’d love myself to see my names being acknowledged by those whom we had share momentary experience as Nurse Educator. Love to see they are successful in life and how they do, how they tune themselves to be a fine nurses – all because of you as Nurse Educator (molding them in its fineness).” (JDB, Interview 19, Line 23-24)
Adjusting to Transcultural Relations in the Workplace “Another challenge is relating with various nationalities that each one of them has different approaches in nursing education.” (YG, Interview 14, Line 10)
“At the very beginning, I was hesitant to mingle with colleagues. For some reasons that I might say offensive things in which I'm not aware of. I am very cautious of how I communicate with colleagues and my students because of language barriers. I am also anxious with the manner I deal with them.” (RB, Interview 4, Line 4-7)
Personal and
Professional Development
“Great, because we can maximize our skills here utilizing the advantage technology and we are well compensated here.” (SS, Interview 5, Line 11)
“Currently, I am taking my Ph.D. to fulfill my own wish to hold a doctorate degree before I turn 40. Ever since I started working in the academe, I told myself that this will be my life forever until I die because it gives me a sense of fulfillment especially when you see your students become successful in their careers. My plan for the next few years is to look for a career in the Philippines whether as a part of the faculty or in a managerial level and I am considering also creating a training center for nurses.” (NB, Interview 20, Line 59-61)