I'm just curious. For those who went to graduate school abroad and returned, why did you come back to the Philippines?

There are many reasons of course:
- They miss their family and their country
- They cannot find a worthwhile job there
- They also have good opportunities in the Philippines

I'm still in the US, but I know several Filipinos who have gone back to Manila. Some reasons are:

1. The global economy is very sick. Industries that usually hire MBA grads such as investment banking and consulting have cut back on their hiring and have laid off thousands of employees.

2. They have spent out their one-year post-grad residency without finding a job.

3. US dollars are expensive for those whose families' income and personal savings are in pesos. Living in the US without a job is a severe cash burning experience.

4. There are actually better opportunities outside the US - in the Philippines, across Asia, and around the world. Some Ateneo alumni have been hired for positions in Europe, Hong Kong, or ASEAN. When McKinsey opened their Manila office several years ago, for example, they hired MBAs from top-tier US business schools.

5. Some people simply want to go back and explore opportunities in Manila. Jun Dalandan (MBA Fordham), for example, gave up his job at the Bank of New York to become Ateneo's alumni director.

There could be other reasons than what I mentioned. Remember that for every person, there is not just a single reason behind his/her choice to go back. It can be a combination of more than one.

Personally, I want to go back as long as I can afford to pay for my loans and apply what I learned.