Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 3:50 pm Post subject: Relatively speaking

Dear Ben Round de Block,
" Go figure! "
OK - the reason you keep going back and the reason that, after a few days you're ready to pull your hair out are - 1. you go back because " there's no place ike home " ( thanks, Dorothy ); and 2. you can't wait to get out of there because " you can't go home again " ( thanks, Thomas Wolfe ). Seriously, I think many of us experience those same feelings - and, at least part of the reason may be that, to folks back home, especially your relatives, you never grow up. You'll always be " Son " to Mom, and while that can be kind of nice for a day or two, it gets " old " fast. So, I guess you could say it's all relatives.
Regards,
John
P.S. And in the case of Jubail and Dhahran, well, it's all relative.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Maybe some people from the boondocks go to Jubail for the weekend?

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

Maybe some people go to AA meetings at the weekends.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 4:08 pm Post subject: Here's looking at you, kid

Dear biffinbridge,
" Maybe some people go to AA meetings at the weekends."
And maybe some don't - but would probably be better off if they did.
I don't go, but I do intend to join ( whoops, now i guess I'm not Anonymous anymore ) when I get back home. If you can handle the booze, more power to you. But some of us can't - and admit it.
Regards,
John

dthompson · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 Location: United Arab Emirates

>Am I a little too old to consider doing this?

I was 31 when I considered it.

> Does anyone here think I am crazy?

Most people will, but then they may not have had the guts to do it.

> I want to know what are some of your thoughts on my dilemma.

I took the plunge with a CTEFLA back in 1992 and had a summer job in London followed by a move to Japan. I stayed there for 9 years, worked for 2 different companies, met my wife-to-be when I was 38, did an MA in TESOL and eventually landed here in the UAE. I now also have a sweet baby daughter. Now I'm nearly 43.

Is that crazy?

Good luck decision making.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I am not sure what point "Biffinbridge" is trying to make. Some people learn that they cannot use alcohol and abstain from it on a daily basis. Some of those people do this with the help of AA. What is the big deal ?

mathilda · Joined: 17 Jun 2003 Posts: 3

I am also 32 and have already done the overseas to teach English thing. One thing I think is important is your get out plan. I didn't really plan this too well and am suffering for it! Whilst some have managed to make a good career of it, I have seen others who have really got themselves into a rut. So, be careful and have contingencies in place if you need to fall back on them.

senor boogie woogie · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2003 4:46 am Post subject: 32 is young dude.

Hola!

I am 36 years old and have been doing this for 2 1/2 years in two countries. I am an American.

It is an adventure to come to a new country. I live in China, and even though some days I want to strip naked and howl at the moon in maddness, most days are wonderful. More wonderful, interesting and rewarding that working behind a desk 40 hours a week.

Learn all you can about where you might want to work and the different kind of schools available. I have taught English to people from age 3 (who was smart) all the way up to 45. Ask yourself what you want to achieve while you are doing this?

Money-Middle East.

Decent money-Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam.

Little money-China (but getting better), Thailand, South America, all others.

Culture-China and Japan

Sex, booze, and rock n roll-Everywhere outside of ME. Personally, I've had a hell of a good time in Mainland China.

Beautiful women-Everywhere but ME. Korean women are the best looking in Asia.

Cannot go to an EU nation without having a parent who is from an EU nation. I would of liked to have gone to the Czech Republic, but the money there is poor, and they are joining the EU next year anyway. My old DOS lived in Poland and had a good time.

Read the board here. A better place to get a feel of where you want to go is the Job Information Journal. Also, understand that a lot of people on all these boards complain about a place, while few with good experiences ever post good coments. You will also see a pattern of bad people tio stay away from. There are also many websites that have a listing of where and where not to go apply. Its called a blacklist.

I could yap all day, but I wont. If you have any particular questions, please give my e-mail a holler.

SENOR