Job Discussion Forums

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

ok... well

I am 19 and half way through my IT degree... i KNOW i dont want to be doing this straight after I finish if AT ALL... and i really want to get out there see the world and teach.

I want to complete my degree (or deferr), do an ESL course of some description and then move and go for it... my question is...

where do you recommend as somewhere to start. I will have a degree and some money saved. I wont have any experience except some Full time IT work (2 years) and some bar and waitressing experience.

I was originally looking at china.. but poland also looks good as it is possible supposably with out an EU passport which is also an issue.. i am going on a holiday to thailand at the end of the year but i have been told by friends and family that its not a great place to live...

as of now i havent lived out of home or by myself.. and i have never been overseas.. by the time i want to do this i will have travelled a little but im not sure when i will move out of home...

any comments positive or negative would be appreciated... i really want to do this and i am quite good at making friends and i am not OVERLY concerned about the teaching part.. i am more worried about the living somewhere knowing no one aspect...

sorry for such a long post but any help would be sooooooo good.

where should i go?
how should i prepare?
has anyone been in my situation?
any advice?

VanIslander

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

thanks heaps ill check out korea... i met someone through a friend who loved it there i might get in contact with him... pay sounds wonderful... (that wasnt my main concern but i gess it is always a bonus)

coming soon · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 47

join us in China. The money might not be as good as Korea or Japan but you will have more time available to visit the country and learn all kinds of new stuff. I've only been here for a few days but it seems like the best thing i did in my life so far.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:59 am Post subject:

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

i have been looking at all the other threads and now im scared some people have had such bad experiences... and i would be packing up to go all by myself Shocked

"coming soon" how did you handle the whole just leaving and could you tell me about your first couple of days...

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

jillybabe--

Although there are some teaching couples out there (or folks who go with friends), I'd bet that the majority of us just packed up and went by ourselves. It's just part of the job/lifestyle. Yes, it's a bit daunting, but you will meet people. When you're the new teacher at your school, people will (ideally!) introduce themselves, invite you out, etc. There will probably be times when you'll feel homesick and lonely, but odds are those times will pass. Just take along some photos of your loved ones back home.

d

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

thanks denise... i know ill just have to make the jump and go for it... i still have time before i finish my degree

i know i will miss my friends but i gess im just bored of the hum drum corporate life and want an adventure and this seems like the best way to do it...

thanks everyone for your replies

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

i know it is a job... and i never said i was doing it just for the site seeing.. i dont expect it to be easy...

it would have to be more fulfilling then staring at a screen 9 hours a day 5 days a week with the whole corporate drag....

i didnt mean to belittle it and i think you are overreacting i just said that i am sick of my lifestyle and want a change i never said that ESL was all fun and games.. and by adventure i meant something new and challenging not easy money...

so why be negative? and why say you hate to burst my bubble when obviously that was your goal... sounds like someone had a bad day to me...

Cdaniels · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:47 pm Post subject: ganbatte jillybabe!

I think you pegged Glenski, jillybabe! One thing I ask, please post to the ESL Cafe and tell us about your adventures when you get out there. It seems to me that you have just the right combination of caution, sense and enthusiasm to do well teaching abroad!