Job Discussion Forums

thehairyhorse · Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chile

Don�t know about you but the thought of having to do this (UK in my case) makes me feel almost sick with depression.
A fairly financially disastrous job in Chile has brought this dark spectre into my mind - I'll fight it off though -
how bad would going back 'home' (to nothing) be for you??

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

You'll need to define 'home'. I was born and raised in the UK but 'home' now is Turkey. Why don't you change your 'home'. I think that's what I did, but I wasn't really aware of it Confused

Paul John · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 52

I pretty much did likewise. Next year I'll be returning to Australia for the first time in five years for a brief visit. I'm prepared for an intense bout of reverse culture shock.

After a couple of weeks there, I'll head back home... to Saigon Smile

almuze · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 125

Me too!

finanacial disasters happen to people all over the world, fairly often, don't they? where do you want yours to happen to you? This said, however, true financial disasters are often easier to survive if you know enough of the local language and culture to find help and get started again. how's your spanish?
and how could there be "nothing" back home? how could there be "nothing" anywhere? maybe you just meant that all your friends have moved to other cities?
good luck!

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Although I'm really looking forward to heading back to England for Christmas, it's the people not the place I want to see. I would not have any interest in going back there for any longer than a brief visit, and despite the fact that I have only been in this country for 7 months, it has become my home.

If I could transplant the people over here, everything would be perfect!!!

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I'm perfectly happy when I am back home--possibly because EFL (ESL?) is a career for me, so I don't have to give it up and settle down into the normal working world. Unfortunately, home for me (California) is ridiculously expensive, especially on a meager teacher's salary.

d

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

I think that for now, I have settled into a modern day vagabond lifestyle. As the song goes:

wherever I may roam
where I lay my head is home

After just 10 months in China, I cannot think about going back to the rat race, working overtime to cover mortgages, car payments, IRA and all of the crap that comes along. Here, I have an opportunity to spend more time with my wife, teach, grow my online business and just live better overall.... as the French say: "Que demande le peuple?"

Chris_Crossley

In October last year, I returned "home" to England after two full years in China in order to try and find a job.

Eight weeks later, a year ago TODAY (December 16th), I was on a plane out of London, bound for Shanghai, after reaping no success whatsoever in getting a job.

My Chinese wife, with whom I have a daughter, says that my home is here in China, given that we live together with her parents as a family. I guess that I can't complain about the "family" situation, considering my parents have been divorced for 37 years and my only sibling has been living and working in France for the past 22.

She wants me to consider staying not just in China for the time being, but also at the primary school where I am teaching now, since I do have a good job with quite a good salary for just teaching at a public primary school. The jury is still out on this one, but I think that staying put would be a good idea.

I would have to confess that I have had more of the kind of family-and-career life here in China than I ever had back in Blighty, yet I still want us to go to Blighty at least at the time when our little one is within a year of starting primary school herself.

GabeKessel · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 150

I was in Thailand for 3.5 years and left because of a financial disaster. Coming "home" to the US was not the best experience of all. After 18 months and a few dead-end jobs I left for Saudi.

That was eight years ago. I am in the Philippines now, not working, just living off the fat of the land.

Home is where:

1) Authorities let you stay
2) Where you can make friends
3) Where you like the culture.
4) Where people treat you nice
5) Where you can find romantic company without being discriminated against.

Philippines has been my on-and-off home for many years now.

British · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 133 Location: China

Chris_Crossley.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In October last year, I returned "home" to England after two full years in China in order to try and find a job.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know what you mean when i worked in an office in the pass i was bored so i went back to college to educated my self in Computers then when i pass a two year course i could not find work, because many companies wanted younger people, so i change my life and came out here in China, and then met my girlfriend and married her, but i have had some problems here in the university but soon when my contract end next year i will go to Beijing to teach.

As we foreigners we have it good here in China no water bills or heating bills and no council tax to pay or tax or rent, as fore going back home i will some day with my wife, but to tell you get a job and living well in UK will not be easy like here, the only thing i miss in the UK is clean air.

Bye

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Oh, I would love to go there, that place "abroad" that I ought to recognise when I see it - as a well-heeled tourist.
If only I could find a generous sponsor!

thehairyhorse · Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chile

I agree with Roger
`abroad`is only good if you don`t have to live like a local.
Once the money runs out or you`re living off shit wages is it really that great?

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 3:44 am Post subject: Living like a local with no dosh

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Actually i keep wondering why people stay in their native countries. Hey, it's a good thing, otherwise there'd be noone left of course, but really the pro's outweigh the con's infinitely more.

It's far easier to get a job, save more money, work less hours, teaching a language you speak fluently, you get lots of attention every where you go, (pretty) girls like you more than back home, everything is cheap, you can live like royalty, the weather is sunny and warm for most of the time, ehhh,.. yeah. That sums it up (anything I forgot?)

But. I do find myself now back 'home'...
Gotta finish uni, one more year to go.

And you know, it's not that bad here really.
It is cold, grey and miserable, and yes you've gotta be careful not to go too fast and get caught in the rat race. But there's central heating. And good beer.

And at least here I can some things that I couldn't do in Asia.
Get a motor-cycle licence, get a BA which is worth something, become certified as a translator, simply go to the library and read books, learn to play the guitar (well, i suppose i could do that in asia too, but i never seemed to find the time there.)
And most importantly, I can see my old buddies again and relatives of course. This'll be the first Christmas in 5 years with the family.

Still, I can't wait till summer, when I'll be heading East asap.
Happy holidays all,

Da Jiang
from Holland